Leon Edwards aiming to 'make a statement' against Colby Covington at UFC 296 - 'A decision is not enough for me'

Leon Edwards wants to “make a statement” against Colby Covington, who he says is in for a “world of shock” when they headline UFC 296.

Britain’s Edwards is on an 11-fight winning streak and will be defending his welterweight title for a second time following victory over Kamaru Usman in March.

For Covington, this will be his first fight since March 2022 when he beat Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision.

Edwards says he is feeling confident ahead of the fight in Las Vegas, which will be shown live on TNT Sports Box Office on Saturday night.

“He’s nothing I haven’t seen before skill wise,” he told TNT Sports.

“People keep going on about his pace, but they are judging it from over-the-hill guys that he has beaten. That Robert Lawler that he beat six years ago, everyone knows that wasn’t the Robert Lawler that fought Rory MacDonald back in the day. Everyone knew the Tyron Woodley that he beat wasn’t the Woodley from back in the day…

“If that’s how they are judging it he’s in for a world of shock because of my skills and strength and will to win. I think that will be the difference in this fight.

“I feel like a decision is not enough for me. I want to go out there and make a statement. I am confident in my skillset, my condition, I am confident in everything in this fight.

“I know what he possesses and what he is coming to do and I am fully prepared for it. I can’t wait to show the world.”

Covington is one of the more outspoken fighters in the UFC and has had plenty to say about Edwards, including accusing him of being a “cheater”.

Edwards is far less brash and says he is not a fan of Covington’s “fake personality”.

“It’s a guy that is easier to do a camp for, he’s one of the guys I don’t like," said Edwards.

“Even without fighting we are two different human beings as men.

“He’s just a weird guy, the way he chooses to sell himself. Each to their own and that’s what he wants to do, fair play to him, but we are just two different people.”

This will be Edwards’ second fight in Vegas.

His first against Belal Muhammad in 2021 was called off early in the second round following an accidental eye poke.

Now a UFC champion, Edwards is relishing being in the spotlight on Saturday night.

“I am comfortable. Becoming champ confirmed everything I knew in my head and everything my team knew,” he said.

“It’s been a long road to get to this point, a lot of ups and downs. I’ve had to earn my way here and now I’m here I’m enjoying it. I feel like I belong here.

“It's every kid’s dream to headline. It’s Vegas, everyone has come to watch you, your name is all over the Strip. It’s wild.

“First time I came to Vegas I was 20 with Vaughan Lee, a guy who used to fight in my gym, he brought me so I could see what it was like to fight in the UFC. Now I am here headlining the card, it’s a mad way life works.”

The broadcast of the preliminary card will be available for TNT Sports subscribers to watch on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 01:00. The main card will start from 03:00 and will be available exclusively on TNT Sports Box Office.

UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington costs £19.99 in the UK and can be watched through EE TV, Virgin Media TV and Sky, online via the web or the TNT Sports Box Office App. You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.

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