Despite Leon Edwards pulling out of UFC Fight Night 171’s main event this coming Saturday night due to the Caronavirus pandemic and relocation of the event from the UK, his opponent Tyron Woodley has vowed to still compete.
The UFC are currently scrambling to not only find a replacement for Edwards and secure a new location for the event within the U.S. but will also have to replace 11 other bouts that have collapsed due to the ongoing crisis around the globe.
With that in mind the UFC brass will no doubt be relieved to here that other welterweight stars are offering to step in on short notice to fight Woodley, including Colby Covington.
“Word on the street is @LeonScott is out,” Covington wrote on social media. “The @ufc and America need a hero. Who wants see America’s Champ put the #MAGA cape on and beat the fuck out of @twooodley live on @ESPN next week for your entertainment and my own personal pleasure?”
However, Woodley has since responded confirming he wants to fight, but doesn’t believe Covington’s offer is genuine.
“I’m ready to fight!” Woodley stated. “I’m trained to kill. Sorting through the smoke. This bitch above’s a joke. Few options. I’ll keep y’all updated. IM FIGHTING SAT! #MurderMode.”
The other big option for Woodley would be Gilbert Burns, who fought this past Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 170 in Brazil, earning a TKO victory over Demian Maia and now claims he’s willing to fight again a week later.
“Come on @danawhite I said yesterday I’m saying again I fight Woodley Saturday!” Burns wrote. “Put me in WOODLEY X BURNS!”
Nevertheless, it still feels like it’s going to take a monumental effort on the UFC’s part to even manage to put on an event at all, even if they can book a worthy main event pairing.
