Report – UFC ‘aiming’ for Leon Edwards, Colby Covington fight for London PPV card on July 22.

According to reports this Friday night, the UFC are aiming for an undisputed welterweigh title fight between Leon Edwards, and challenger, Colby Covington to take main event billing at UFC 291 on July 22. in London, England.

Edwards, the current undisputed UFC welterweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 286 earlier this month, defeating common-opponent, former pound-for-pound number one, Kamaru Usman in a majority decision victory to successfully defend his championship. 

As for Covington, the Clovis native – a former interim titleholder at 170lbs, retains the #2 rank at welterweight following a decision win over arch-rival, Jorge Masvidal in March of last year atop a UFC 272 pay-per-view card.

And as per an initial report from Sports Illustrated reporter, Justin Barrasso. The UFC are “aiming” to headline their reported UFC 291 flagship event on July 22. in the English capital with an undisputed welterweight title fight – featuring champion, Edwards, and challenger, Covington. 

Calling for his shot at the Birmingham champion in the immediate aftermath of UFC 286 – which Covington attended, the MMA Masters trainee initially urged the promotion to book him opposite the streaking titleholder two weeks prior to an expected London comeback at UFC 290 during International Fight Week in the opening days of July. 

Questioning the legitimacy of Covington’s stake for a title shot off the back of his inactivity, Edwards, who initially won the welterweight title with an infamous high kick KO over Usman back in August of last year, rebuffed talk of a fight against the outspoken Californian before developments regarding a showdown at UFC 291 in the summer. 

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.