Leon Edwards accuses UFC of favoring Colby Covington: ‘He benefits from Dana White privilege’

Leon Edwards, gearing up for his second welterweight title defense, believes that the UFC is rooting for his defeat. Nine months after his resounding triumph over Kamaru Usman, “Rocky” is preparing to defend his title once again, this time against Colby Covington, who has previously failed in two title attempts. The decision has left fighters, fans, and Edwards himself puzzled. In the last four years, Covington has registered a 2-2 record inside the Octagon, with both losses against Kamaru Usman, whom Edwards has not only defeated once, but twice. Covington’s victories have primarily been against fighters like Tyron Woodley and Jorge Masvidal, who are no longer active in MMA following multiple losses.

During an appearance on the MMA hour with Ariel Helwani, Edwards expressed his bewilderment at the UFC’s decision to grant Covington another title shot despite his underwhelming performance. He pointed out, “I talked to the UFC, I talked to everyone, but I don’t know. They brought him in for a weigh-in in March and it was random, I don’t know why. He’s Dana White’s right. He fought Masvidal, but every fighter he’s beaten in the last five years has retired, right? They’ve all fed him on the backside of their careers.” (h/t BJPenn.com).