Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington date confirmed as Brit to defend welterweight title in Las Vegas at UFC 296

LEON EDWARDS will travel stateside to make the second defence of his UFC welterweight title.

The pride of Birmingham will defend his 170lbs title against Colby Covington on December 16 in the main event of UFC 296 in Las Vegas.

GETTYLeon Edwards is Britain’s second UFC champion[/caption]

GETTYRocky retained his title with a decision win over Kamaru Usman in March[/caption]

APThe Brummie’s second title defence will be against American Colby Covington[/caption]

‘Rocky’ captured the welterweight throne last August with a last-gasp knockout of then-champion Kamaru Usman.

He retained the belt on home soil with a majority-decision victory over MMA’s former pound-for-pound king at The O2 in March.

Announcing Edwards’ second title defence, UFC supremo Dana White said: “At UFC 296 on December 16, in Las Vegas, Leon Edwards versus Colby Covington will headline our last pay-per-view of the year.

“With the welterweight title on the line.

“The champ hasn’t lost a fight in eight years and is coming off back-to-back wins over the greatest welterweight of all time – Kamaru Usman.

“He is defending his title against Colby Covington, a relentless pressure fighter with unstoppable cardio.”

White anointed Covington as the next challenger for Edwards’ title the very night the Brummie registered his first defence of the 170lbs throne as a reward for being the backup fighter.

The veteran promoter said: “That’s the fight that makes sense.

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“Colby came over here, cut weight and did everything to be here for this fight.

“He deserves the fight.

“Not to mention that he’s the second or third-best guy in the world.”

But Edwards was adamant the Donald Trump-loving Covington was unworthy of a third shot at winning UFC gold.

He said: “I don’t know how Colby makes sense.

“He hasn’t fought for more than a year and half. 

“There are other active guys in the division.

“I’m the king now, I’ve earned my way and should decide who is next.”

GETTYLeon Edwards will look to make history by becoming the first Brit to register two UFC title defences[/caption]