Leon Edwards (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although the fourth quarter of 2023 is fast approaching, Leon Edwards’ manager believes the UFC’s welterweight champ will fight Colby Covington this year.

Covington was the alternate fighter and made weight for the UFC 286 headliner, which saw Edwards record a unanimous decision victory over Kamaru Usman. Since the event, UFC President Dana White has repeatedly said that Covington is next for a title shot.

More recently, Edwards’ manager, Tim Simpson, appeared on Submission Radio. During the interview, Simpson reported that he expects the champion to fight Covington at either the UFC’s pay-per-view card in November or December (quote via MMA Junkie).

“It’ll be before the end of the year,” Simpson said. “I guess the two cards left are November and December, and they’re still finalizing those. Leon is good. He is ready to go, waiting for the call. From my understanding, Colby is ready to go, as well. So it’ll be one of those two.”

Edwards (21-3) won the title in August 2022 by knocking out Usman in the fifth round. The English fighter is riding a 12-fight, undefeated streak.

Covington (17-3) hasn’t competed since March 2022, when he recorded a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal. The American fighter is 3-2 in his last 5 bouts, with both defeats during that stretch coming against Usman.