This was announced at a press conference after the UFC on ESPN 43 tournament by UFC President Dana White.
“Colby Covington deserves a chance to fight for the title,” said the head of the organization. “I don’t blame Leon. He just defeated Usman twice and now he’s going to face another wrestler whose style is a challenge for anyone.”
“When you become a champion, you are hunted. Real killers line up to fight off three times a year, and you’re in for nothing but the most dangerous rivals in the division.”
“Everyone understands that if Usman did not exist, Colby would be a champion. He made weight, he was ready to insure a title shot, but there are a million other reasons why he deserves to fight for the title.”
On March 18 at UFC 286 in London, Leon Edwards successfully defended his championship belt in a title rematch with Kamaru Usman, defeating the Nigerian by a majority vote, after which Colby Covington, who insures the fight, was officially named the next contender for the UFC welterweight title.