After initially warning undisputed UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards that he will be stripped of his crown if he rejects a fight with him next – Colby Covington has now warned the Birmingham native to avoid crossing president, Dana White.

Covington, a former interim welterweight champion and current #2 ranked division contender, has been sidelined since UFC 272 back in March of last year, defeating arch-rival, Jorge Masvidal in a unanimous decision triumph.

Attending UFC 286 last weekend in London, England, Clovis native, Covington served as an official backup to the main event fight between Edwards and Kamaru Usman – successfully making welterweight championship weight.

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Following his successul, majority decision title defense against common-foe, Usman, Edwards was pencilled in by the aforenoted, White to face Covington next.

Calling for a showdown with Edwards at UFC 290 during International Fight Week in July, Colby Covington saw his call out rebuffed by the former, who questioned how he deserved a title fight.

Colby Covington issues another warning to Leon Edwards

Warning the Team Renegade BJJ & MMA staple that he would lose his welterweight crown if he elected against fighting him next, Covington has now urged Edwards against upsetting promotional leader, White.

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Covington, who holds victories over former welterweight champions, Robbie Lawler, and Tyron Woodley – scooped interim division spoils with a decision win over former lightweight kingpin, Rafael dos Anjos.

In a pair of title fights with the above-mentioned Auchi native, Usman, Colby Covington first suffered a fifth round TKO loss, and then a one-sided unanimous decision rematch defeat.

Sharing his thoughts on Edwards potentially rejecting a fight with the former American Top Team staple, White explained how the Birmingham native will have to get used to leading from the front of a chasing pack of challengers.

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Defendjng Covington’s much-criticized shot a gold, White also claimed Edwards has sat out of competition for two years before receiving his very own title shot.

Aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Follow along at @Ross_Markey on Twitter for all the latest news, fight announcements, opinion, and feature pieces.