Leon Edwards is ready to secure his second title defense as the UFC welterweight champion.

The United Kingdom’s “Rocky” fended off his biggest rival Kamaru Usman in the pair’s immediate trilogy bout at UFC 286 when he won a majority decision this past March. Ahead of fight night, the MMA world was treated to the surprise of a wild Colby Covington appearing at the official weigh-ins as the title fight’s back-up fighter if needed. Thanks to “Chaos’” willingness to take the role, he now finds himself as the next challenger set to take on Edwards at UFC 296 in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena next Saturday.

Covington, 35, is a one-time interim title holder and the clash with Edwards will be his third attempt at undisputed gold after two previous losses to the former champion Usman. The Usman rivalry left Covington 2-2 in his last four outings (17-3 overall record), leaving the challenger to rebound with a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. From Edwards’ perspective, this is Covington’s final hope of becoming a UFC champion.

“This is his fourth title shot. I feel like he knows this is his last one,” Edwards told UFC Europe. “As far as what’s on the line for me, how long it took me to get it, so I feel like we’ve both got a lot to prove in there. So, I am 100 percent focused for the best Colby. I know he’s been out for almost two years come December.

“But, I just can’t see what he goes in there and does. I’ve been the active one. I’m the younger one. He hasn’t beat no one under the age of 35, 36 since I don’t know. If you’re judging his wins off Robbie [Lawler], [Tyron] Woodley, and Masvidal, he’s in for a total shock what’s going to happen on fight night.”

Despite Covington’s lengthy absence, he isn’t short on confidence ahead of the big return. The contender has been known for his outspoken nature along with his relentless pressure-wrestler style in the octagon. At this point, “Chaos” is largely viewed as a character by his peers within the community and not so positively. Edwards has disagreed with the idea of the matchup since its inception post-Usman trilogy, but it’s all being treated as just another chapter in his reign.

“He’s always playing a character, and some of the s*** he’s coming out and saying just doesn’t make sense to me,” Edwards said. “He’s like, ‘I’ll come back for the war that happened in America.’ I was like, ‘Mate, I don’t even know what you’re on about.’

“I think that guy is a clown. But I am focused on going out there, taking him out, defending my belt for a second time, just carrying on my journey. He’s just another guy that’s in my way, and I’m going to take him out.”

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

Free fight.

PFL Dublin Championship Fight Week.

CKB’s Kevin Jousset.

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MORNING MUSIC

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Holding the throne.

It’s a work, brother.

Still crazy.

Rematch.

Incredible.

Sharpe.

Debate.

Hilarious.

Impressive.

Zhalgas.

Doc Mitchell.

UFC Vegas 83 media day.

Yeesh.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Josh Emmett (18-4) vs. Bryce Mitchell (16-1); UFC 296, Dec. 16

Molly McCann (13-6) vs. Diana Belbiță (15-8); UFC Vegas 85, Feb. 3

Dan Ige (17-7) vs. Lerone Murphy (13-0-1); UFC Vegas 86, Feb. 10

Alex Perez (24-7) vs. Muhammad Mokaev (10-0); UFC Saudi Arabia, March 2

Katlyn Chookagian (18-5) vs. Maycee Barber (13-2); UFC 299, March 9

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FINAL THOUGHTS

As Edwards vs. Covington gets closer, the more I expect it to be absurdly close. Each guy’s uber confidence will cancel out and we’ll get a technical classic. All at the end of some silly fight-week shenanigans, of course.

Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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