This is a head shaking decision from uncle Dana after he promised that the winner of Belal vs. Burns would challenge Leon Edward. However, I speculate that American politics might have influenced this decision. Uncle Dana is an outspoken Trump supporter and Colby also is another ourspoken Trump supporter. The presidential election will be on November heheehe. Perfect for the UFC's campaign for Trump if Colby is the welterweight champion hehehehe.
I really think that Dana White is now being forgetful about things and maybe he is just forgetting his promise just like what you have said because of Donald Trump, for sure the UFC and Dana White are pretty much favoring Colby Covington so much this time for sure if Colby Covington win against Leon Edwards then Khamzat Chimaev can then have to settle his score against Colby Covington,
Actually I favor Usman but if it turns out to be middlewight then I can't place my bet on Usman. I agree with all the facts you have mentioned regarding Usman's quality but the problem is the same as Volk. Moving up to class is not too difficult, especially since Usman really looks like a Middleweight man. But Chimaev is a big guy and looks like he has almost the same natural weight as a light heavyweight. I think it will be a tough fight for Usman.
I am in favor of Khamzat Chimaev in this fight for me the prime of Kamaru Usman is certainly depleted and judging from his fight against Leon Edwards for sure Chimaev can destroy Edwards in a fight and for sure Chimaev can also destroy Usman for sure
Volkanovski still will have a hard time against Islam Makhachev in my opinion, for sure Volkanovski still has something to change with his standing as Islam Makhachev has bested him in that field but for sure the ground division Volkanovski has bested him