Covington claims UFC threatened to take away Kamaru Usman's belt if champion didn't accept rematch

K. Usman (left) and C. Covington (right) had one of the best fights of 2019. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube TheMacLife

The rivalry between Colby covington e Kamaru Usman continues to heat up. With just over two weeks remaining to face off in one of the most anticipated rematches of recent times, in the main fight of the UFC 268, on November 6th, the rivals continue to provoke each other.

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In an interview with North American ESPN, Colby covington stated that Kamaru Usman He did everything he could to not face him again. According to the challenger, the UFC had to threaten to take away the Nigerian's belt for the rematch to be scheduled.

"Was difficult. It wasn't supposed to happen. They didn't want it to happen. He and his manager were refusing and looking for any way to avoid this rematch. They didn't want the fight and only accepted because the UFC didn't give them a choice. They said: ‘either you fight him, or we take the belt from him, one or the other’. You have to prove that you are the best in the world, there can be no controversy surrounding this fight, so it was difficult”, revealed Covington.

Kamaru Usman e Colby covington they faced each other for the first time in December 2019, in the main fight of UFC 245. On that occasion, the Nigerian defended his welterweight belt for the first time with a knockout in the fifth round of a fight that was tied on the judges' scorecards.

Since then, Covington has seen action only once, when he defeated Tyron woodley by technical knockout in September 2020. Usman, in turn, defended the title on three more occasions, against Gilbert Durinho e Jorge masvidal (twice).

“I needed to finish off the former champion Tyron woodley. He got two easy payouts against lightweights who never should have been there. In his last fight he beat the ‘Judas of the streets’, Masvidal. I beat this guy decades ago. This is not an achievement. Are you proud of beating him? The guy is a lightweight, he shouldn’t even be here at the top of the mountain”, argued the North American.

Finally, Covington stated that he did not see any improvement in the champion's game in the three successful defenses of the welterweight title.

"I did not see anything. I see the same fighter who comes with a heavy jab and has a big right hand. That was the story of his career. So yeah, he's knocking out lightweights, guys who shouldn't be there with him. It’s easy money,” he concluded.