UFC champ Kamaru Usman considering trilogy with rival Colby Covington ‘down the line’ after Jorge Masvidal win
KAMARU USMAN is considering a trilogy fight with Colby Covington. The Nigerian was in attendance at UFC 272 on Saturday as Covington comfortably defeated Jorge Masvidal over five rounds. Usman, 34, has defended his welterweight belt against both Masvidal and Covington two times. But the latter may have kept himself in the title picture with […]
KAMARU USMAN is considering a trilogy fight with Colby Covington.
The Nigerian was in attendance at UFC 272 on Saturday as Covington comfortably defeated Jorge Masvidal over five rounds.
Usman, 34, has defended his welterweight belt against both Masvidal and Covington two times.
But the latter may have kept himself in the title picture with Saturday’s win.
Speaking octagon-side after the event, Usman said: “UFC 272 came to a close, as expected, I knew that Covington’s wrestling was gonna be the big difference.
“Masvidal had moments in there but Covington did his thing.
“So, you know, maybe down the line, I smesh.”
Usman’s first victory over Covington came in December 2019 via fifth-round knockout.
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Following further defences against Masvidal and Gilbert Burns, he then defeated Colby again via decision at UFC 268 last November.
Usman is expected to face Brit Leon Edwards in July, provided he can recover from hand surgery in time.
After Edwards, he then fancies a shot at Canelo Alvarez.
Usman said last week: “I’m telling everybody, I will go out there and stop Canelo. I have to be the one to believe it, because I have to be the one to step in there. It doesn’t matter what everybody says.”
As for Covington, the 34-year-old fancies a shot with Dustin Poirier, calling The Diamond out in his post-fight interview on Saturday.
UFC president Dana White, however, isn’t such a fan of the idea.
He said: “You fight Poirier and then what? He has to go in some type of direction.”
White, 52, was more positive regarding Covington’s chances of earning another shot at Usman, saying: “If he stays at 170 and keeps winning, eventually you have to give the kid a shot again.”
