“I definitely have other options,” MMAJunkie quoted the Brit as saying. “I don’t think Belal should be next. I’ve done it before. I won ten fights in a row and didn’t get a title shot. Why does he think he’s special and think it should be different with him?”
Edwards, who defeated Covington by unanimous decision at UFC 296 in Las Vegas, has ruled out the possibility that the organization will decide to give the American another title shot.
“Colby is already out of the picture. We’ll see who’s next. Like I said, this is the ‘Rocky’ era. This is my era, and I will continue to reign. Who’s next doesn’t matter. They all have similar styles. They’re all boxers and wrestlers. I built my career on them. Whoever is next, it won’t change anything. I’m going to keep the belt.”
The desire to share the octagon with Edwards has already been announced by reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, as well as undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov, who earned his sixth early victory in the organization at the event.
It should be noted that in March 2021, the fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad was recognized as a failure, because at the beginning of the second round, the Briton poked the American in the eye with his finger, as a result of which he was unable to continue the meeting.