Gilbert Burns believes that Leon Edwards is a tougher stylistic matchup for Colby Covington than Kamaru Usman.
Covington will be hoping that third time is the charm, when he challenges welterweight champion Leon Edwards for the gold at UFC 296 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Colby, who is widely considered to be one of the most disruptive and polarising characters in the UFC has fallen twice at the final hurdle in his quest to become a UFC champion. The victor, on those occasions was former champion and pound-for-pound number one Kamaru Usman. Usman defeated Colby marginally inside the distance in their first encounter, breaking Covington’s jaw and ending the fight with 50 seconds remaining.
Colby managed to talk his way into a rematch against the champion after a victory over former champion Tyron Woodley but was again beaten, this time on points. Now, Colby finds himself with a third crack at the title. One which many feel, is undeserved. One of which was the champion himself, Leon Edwards.
Another who feels this way, is Gilbert Burns. Burns himself, fell short against Usman when challenging for the title and is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury that impacted his loss to Belal Muhammed back in May. Burns spoke with MMA Junkie recently and wasn’t sitting on the fence with his prediction, insisting that Leon Edwards would walk out victorious.
Gilbert Burns on Leon Edwards Vs Colby Covington
“I think it’s a good matchup for Leon to be honest. Because, well… Kamaru Usman had a lot of success against Colby when he was southpaw.” Burns told MMA Junkie. “For sure, they’re both wrestlers. It kind of changes a little bit, but Leon is very long. His reach is very big. It’s going to be easy for him to stuff the takedowns and defend, and keep the fight on the feet.
Burns continued, “He’s (Leon Edwards) way more dangerous than Kamaru, way more crispy. The hands are quicker. The kicks are good. I think he’s going to be able to defend the takedowns and kind of out-strike (Covington) because of his precision. He’s got a lot of power. He’s got a lot of pop on the kicks, and a lot of pops on the hands too. So, I do think Leon is going to win. It’s not going to be easy but, I think he’s going to get it done.”
Will Edwards Vs Covington be ‘Chaos’?
We are now just a little over one week out from the final pay-per-view event of the year. The card, is littered with interesting matchups from the very top, to the very bottom of the card. Yet, it’s difficult to decisively say which will be more entertaining… The fights, or the fight week.
There are so many matchups, featuring so many… Let’s say ‘vocal’ athletes. The press conference, the weigh-ins, the whole week promises to be filled with entertainment.
Leon Edwards, is not necessarily the biggest talker, but you can absolutely guarantee that Colby Covington will bring that out of him. And if Colby doesn’t, you can bet your ass that Ian Garry does. Edwards and Garry have had a level of back-and-forth of late, with Garry accusing Leon of being ‘weak’ and ‘scared’ for not allowing Garry to train at Renegade gym anymore.
The card also features the always intriguing Tony Ferguson and the returning Paddy Pimblett.
Fight week will be incredible. Fight night will be incredible and whilst Gilbert Burns believes that Leon Edwards will walk away with the belt, you can one hundred percent guarantee that Colby Covington will be hoping to cause all out ‘Chaos’.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
