Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren shed light on the consequences of refusing Dana White’s fight offers
Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren recently dissected Leon Edwards' refusal to fight Colby Covington despite UFC president Dana White announcing that 'Chaos' would fight the champion next.
Following the Brit's title victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 last weekend, White announced that Covington would face Edwards later this year. 'Rocky' appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani several days later and stated that 'Chaos' doesn't deserve a title shot.
Cormier and Askren both believe that Edwards may live to regret turning his nose up at the UFC president's decision. 'DC' pointed out multiple examples of White rewarding fighters with opportunities if they are willing to tow the line with the UFC.
The pair pondered the future of the welterweight champion on a recent episode of the DC Check-In.
Askren said this:
"You know UFC fighters, they can push back against Dana. But where it bites them in the a** [is that] Dana will hold it against them..."
'DC' continued by saying:
"You've had many examples of it. And then on the other hand, the [fighters] that go, 'Yeah sure I'll fight.' They end up with [UFC] commentary jobs like me and Michael Bisping and all those other dudes... It's like a whole hand come, hand go situation."
Watch the video below, with the quotes from 9:30:
Colby Covington has not fought in over a year, and Leon Edwards believes that he needs to prove that he deserves to fight for the title. 'Rocky' stated that the winner of Jorge Masvidal vs. Gilbert Burns, set to take place at UFC 287, could face him next.
Dana White is yet to release a statement in response to Edwards. But according to Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren, the UFC president's ruthless reputation during negotiations could spell trouble for 'Rocky' later in his career.
Daniel Cormier breaks down Leon Edwards' victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 286
Daniel Cormier believes that Leon Edwards put on the best performance of his career in front of a packed London crowd at UFC 286 last weekend.
'Rocky' cemented his place at the top of the welterweight mountain after defeating Kamaru Usman via majority decision. Edwards was able to neutralize the normally effective grappling of Usman, and showed that his victory over the former champion at UFC 278 was not a fluke.
Daniel Cormier broke the fight down on his YouTube channel and said this:
"It was a very good fight. There is no question anymore as to whether Leon Edwards is the champion of the world. The guy did what he was supposed to do, he came home to London, said that he'd be better tonight than he was last time, and he was that... [The fight] was everything we hope for as fans of the sport."
Watch the video below: