'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQAAEDAwQDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwUABCEGERITIjEyAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAxEBAAMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQACERIhYf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AwvBa0eiI+WjnrZt1iQBltxBTiRdZc08/Y52XFQ3OnJJm4ebMrVTBwhJUIsqi7KvzSlDCqp1rrKcm9KlnSph4Ls//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dana White has responded to former UFC two-division champion Daniel Cormier's suggestion that Belal Muhammad deserves the next title shot against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. White disagreed with Cormier's opinion and asserted that Colby Covington will face Edwards for the title next.
On ESPN MMA's DC & RC podcast earlier this month, MMA fighter-turned-analyst Daniel Cormier speculated about Leon Edwards' next fight. Cormier indicated that welterweight superstars such as Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal could be lucrative matchups for Edwards.
'DC' referenced Masvidal's long-running feud with Edwards and opined that he could be given the next title shot, provided 'Gamebred' defeats Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 on April 8. Furthermore, Cormier alluded to the fact that Belal Muhammad has won 8 of his last 9 fights. He highlighted that Muhammad is the most deserving of the next title shot, based on merit alone. Cormier stated:
“You start to think about what’s next, it says Colby Covington. Leon says he doesn’t want that fight. I believe outside of Jorge Masvidal, that is the most lucrative fight for him [Edwards]. Because, when you start to look at who’s warranted, Belal Muhammad’s the most warranted. He’s done the most and deserves the fight, but he’s not sexy. The name’s not sexy. Colby Covington’s name is sexy. It draws people in. Whether you love him or you hate him, you have an opinion of him.”
Watch Cormier's assessment at 11:35 in the video below:
During the UFC San Antonio post-fight press conference on March 25, Dana White was asked for his response to Daniel Cormier's statements regarding Belal Muhammad. The UFC president, for his part, noted that Covington would receive the next title shot, whereas Muhammad is likely to be matched up with another fighter. White said:
"Well, Daniel Cormier doesn't make those decisions. It's nice of him. But, yeah, Belal -- We have plans for Belal. Belal is going to fight against someone, and then we'll find out who's next in line."
Check out Dana White's comments in the video below:
Dana White on Leon Edwards' reluctance to fight Colby Covington next
During the UFC San Antonio post-fight press conference, Dana White also addressed Leon Edwards' reluctance to face Colby Covington next. Despite White repeatedly stating that Covington would receive the next welterweight title shot, Edwards has maintained that there are other welterweights more deserving of the next title shot. White discussed the same and said:
"You're the man, Leon. You're the guy. Everybody's coming after you, and it's going to be Colby next."
Check out Dana White's comments in the Instagram post below:
Speaking of which, Colby Covington left a comment on the aforementioned Instagram post and jibed at Leon Edwards. 'Chaos' mocked Edwards, whilst insinuating that White and the UFC are adamant about booking a fight between them next. Covington wrote:
"Someone wake @leonedwardsmma up so he can cry himself back to sleep #SeeYouSoonJunior"
A screengrab of Covington's comment has been displayed below:
