LEON EDWARDS has ruled out defending his welterweight title against Colby Covington – setting his sights on a grudge match with Jorge Masvidal.
Rocky made his first defence of the 170lbs crown early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 286 in London, where notched a majority decision victory in his trilogy fight with Kamaru Usman.
UFC president Dana White announced his former interim champion Covington would be the next title challenger before the dust had even settled on another historic night for UK MMA.
But Edwards would much rather get his hands on fan favourite Masvidal, who assaulted him backstage at the O2 four years ago.
He said: "If we are going pay-per-view wise, if Masvidal beats [Gilbert] Burns then that’s the fight to make.
"But I just don’t see how Colby sits out for a year, not injured, and just slides in.
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"I had to work through 12 fights to get here. When I was trying to get my title shot people were saying, “who is he?”
‘Now I’m the king. And he’s allowed to jump the line? Like I said, I’m the king. I’ll decide who is next.’
Edwards' main gripe with giving Covington a third chance at becoming welterweight king is down to the American's inactivity.
He said: "I don't know how that makes sense.
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"He hasn't fought for over a year and a half. Sat out not injured.
"I don't get how he just slides in for a world title shot when there's other guys in the division that have been active."
Pride of Birmingham Edwards outstruck Usman and negated the Nigerian Nightmare's wrestling to register his maiden title defence in front of a packed crowd at The O2.
He said: "It's every kid's dream to live this moment tonight.
"I said it all this week, I truly believe this is my era. I
"t's been a long time that I haven't lost a fight. Seven or eight years
"I feel like my life and the journey that I took helped me to prepare for these moments and I truly believe this is my time now.
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