Edwards sets McGregor challenge as Brit sounds off Notorious fight

Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman weigh in for UFC 286 title fight

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Leon Edwards wants Conor McGregor to ‘prove his case’ at 170lb before he considers a fight with the Irishman. McGregor is set to return at the back end of this year against Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout.

Earlier this week, Notorious affirmed that he was interested in fighting the winner of Edwards and Kamaru Usman and had teased that he would be in attendance for the event at London’s O2 Arena but was nowhere to be seen on fight night.

Speaking during a recent appearance on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, the Irishman was asked whether he would like to take on the winner of Edwards and Usman, to which, he replied: “Yeah, I’d like a welterweight title shot. So, I would like that.”

“I may be present for the card. We are making moves at the Black Forge in London, so I was scheduled to go out there so after this.”Gunni’s [Gunnar Nelson] also on the card so it would be good to see him live. It would be good to watch that welterweight title for sure.”

But Edwards wants everyone who faces him to prove themselves first and leaves no exception for McGregor.“Anyone can get it,” Edwards said when asked about facing McGregor at the UFC 286 post-fight press conference following his majority decision win over Kamaru Usman. “Prove your case in the division and I’ll give you a title shot.

“I want to be an active champion. I’m only young, you know? I want to be fighting and if you prove your case, then I’ll fight you — and that’s it.”

Edwards is expected to face Covington next but isn’t keen on the match-up. After UFC president Dana White confirmed that Covington would be the first man to receive a shot at the title after UFC 286, Edwards said of the fight: “I don’t know how that makes sense. He hasn’t fought for over a year and a half, sat out, not injured.

“I don’t get how he slides in for the world title shot when there are other guys in the division that have stayed active and haven’t sat out. I’m the king now, I’ve earned my way so I feel as though I should decide who is next.”

Covington is ranked No2 at welterweight and recently defeated the man Edwards is hoping to fight next, Jorge Masvidal.

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