Leon Edwards: Colby Covington Received Title Shot Due to ‘Dana White Privilege’

With less than a week to go before their headlining clash at UFC 296, Leon Edwards still can’t make sense of how Colby Covington got a title shot.

Edwards successfully defended his belt in a rematch against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in March. While Belal Muhammad was widely considered to be next in line for the title shot, Dana White dropped Covington’s name in the post-fight media scrum. Despite protests from Muhammad, widespread media criticism and Covington having not fought since March 2022, White adamantly insisted on “Chaos” getting the shot.

Edwards recently reiterated his disapproval of Covington’s gold bid, noting most of his recent wins came against fighters who are no longer in the UFC. With no other possible reasoning for the move, Edwards has only one explanation: Covington enjoys “Dana White privilege.”

“I couldn’t tell you. That’s what the UFC, that’s what everyone [wants]. I don’t know, I don’t know what the excuse is,” Edwards said on "The MMA Hour.”

“They brought him in in March to weigh in, random. Don’t know why. He got Dana White privilege all right, that’s it. He hasn’t earned it. Everyone he’s beaten in the last five years, they’re all retired, right? He’s been defeating guys that are at the back end of their career. And he just for some reason he’s got this mentality where he feels like he deserves more than what he’s earned. And for some reason the UFC’s gone with it.”

Following the announcement of Covington’s potential title shot, White attempted to justify his decision at the UFC 287 pre-fight press conference.

“Listen, Colby Covington like him or not the guy showed up in London. He cut the weight, he did what he was supposed to do. He deserves to fight against Leon there’s no doubt,” White said.

Regardless of whether Covington deserved the shot, Edwards has said that “Chaos” is in for a rude awakening at UFC 296. The event is expected to be attended by former United States President Donald Trump, who is a known supporter of Covington. Edwards was asked if he thinks the UFC wants his opponent to win.

“Probably,” Edwards said. “I think Trump wants him to win. I don’t know. None of it matters, right? My whole career’s been the underdog going against the favorite."