LEON EDWARDS will travel stateside to make the second defence of his UFC welterweight title.
The pride of Birmingham will defend his 170lbs title against Colby Covington on December 16 in the main event of UFC 296 in Las Vegas.
‘Rocky’ captured the welterweight throne last August with a last-gasp knockout of then-champion Kamaru Usman.
He retained the belt on home soil with a majority-decision victory over MMA’s former pound-for-pound king at The O2 in March.
Announcing Edwards' second title defence, UFC supremo Dana White said: "At UFC 296 on December 16, in Las Vegas, Leon Edwards versus Colby Covington will headline our last pay-per-view of the year.
"With the welterweight title on the line.
READ MORE IN UFC
Tom Aspinall wins via crazy first-round TKO against Marcin Tybura
All the best free bets & sign up offers for punters right here
"The champ hasn't lost a fight in eight years and is coming off back-to-back wins over the greatest welterweight of all time – Kamaru Usman.
"He is defending his title against Colby Covington, a relentless pressure fighter with unstoppable cardio."
White anointed Covington as the next challenger for Edwards’ title the very night the Brummie registered his first defence of the 170lbs throne as a reward for being the backup fighter.
The veteran promoter said: "That's the fight that makes sense.
Most read in MMA
WHITE NOISE
Dana White issues huge double statement on upcoming fights to leave fans in awe
CELESTIAL BEING
UFC octagon girl Arianny Celeste branded ‘perfection’ in bold bikini
ON HIS JACK JONES
Tyson Fury reveals the only UFC star who can beat MMA icon Jon Jones
FAB-TASTIC
My brother and I used to live in a wood shack, now we’re on brink of MMA history
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
“Colby came over here, cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight.
"He deserves the fight.
“Not to mention that he's the second or third-best guy in the world."
But Edwards was adamant the Donald Trump-loving Covington was unworthy of a third shot at winning UFC gold.
He said: “I don't know how Colby makes sense.
“He hasn't fought for more than a year and half.
"There are other active guys in the division.
"I'm the king now, I've earned my way and should decide who is next.”
Source: Read Full Article
