UFC Champion Leon Edwards Plans to Skip London Fight and Eyes Abu Dhabi for Next Title Defence

Leon Edwards Eyes UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Considers London Only with ‘Stupid Money.

Leon Edwards, the welterweight champion who recently retained his title against Kamaru Usman in their trilogy bout at UFC 286 in March, has no plans to compete in London for his next fight. Despite rumours that the UFC will return to London in July, Edwards believes it’s too soon for him to make the turnaround. Instead, he is eyeing the UFC 294 card on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi.

According to Edwards, unless London comes with some “stupid money,” he won’t consider it. He said, “The bag always talks. Come with some stupid money, and I might consider it. I fought under a month ago, so I’ve still got stuff I’ve got to do first. Next week, I would have to be back in camp. August to March, I did that already. Now they’re saying March to July (camp for the next one). I don’t think it makes sense.”

While Dana White declared Colby Covington the No. 1 contender, Edwards’ stance on Covington not deserving it still stands. Edwards believes there’s no clear No. 1 contender in the division, and Colby is coming off two losses and one win. He said, “If you believe you’re a champion, you should fight all the guys offered to you – the Burns, the Khamzats”

Although Edwards is not shying away from the challenge, he believes Colby Covington is like a BTEC Usman, and there’s nothing fearful about Colby. “If that’s what they want, I’ll give them that. The opponent doesn’t bother me, it’s just more the date,” he said. Edwards believes he’s earned the title and, as champion, he decides. Covington isn’t a champion and doesn’t decide anything.

Leon Edwards has fought three times in the last year or so and wants to fight now towards the end of the year. He thinks the Abu Dhabi card would be great, and it would be the perfect timing. He says there is a massive British population in the Emirates on that side of the world, so he feels like there’ll be a lot of fans coming out to see him.

In conclusion, Leon Edwards is focused on fighting in the UFC 294 card in Abu Dhabi and is not considering competing in London unless it comes with “stupid money.” He also believes Colby Covington is not deserving of the No. 1 contender position and says he has to fight all the guys offered to him if he believes he’s a champion. As champion, Edwards believes he decides, and if Covington is the opponent, he’ll give them that.