UFC plans interim title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington in Rio

dos Anjos (left) x Covington (right) for the interim belt. Photo: SL MMAPress Assembly

Ultimate appears to have lost patience with the welterweight champion Tyron woodley. With no plans to return to the Octagon, the American hasn't fought since July 2017, when he crashed Demian Maia. With this, the organization wants to create the interim belt in the category and put it on the line in Brazil. According to the website 'BJPenn.com', the show plans to schedule the dispute between Rafael dos Anjos e Colby covington for UFC 224, May 12, in Rio de Janeiro.

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Rafael dos Anjos, who has a professional record of 28 wins and nine losses, is a former lightweight champion and is ranked second in the welterweight category. If the fight for the interim title is confirmed, the Brazilian will have the chance to make history at home. He could become the first athlete in the country, and the fifth in the world, to win the UFC belt in two different divisions. So far only B.J. PennRandy Couture Conor McGregor e Georges St Pierre achieved this feat.

In turn, Covington must encounter a hostile environment in Brazil. The last time he performed in Brazil, when he defeated Demian Maia No. UFC Sao Paulo, last October, the North American provoked the fans and went so far as to say that 'Brazilians were dirty animals'. The 30-year-old fighter has a record of 13 wins and just one loss.

UFC 224

UFC 224 will feature a women's bantamweight title fight between Amanda nunes e Rachel Pennington. In another highly anticipated duel, the Brazilians Vitor belfort e Lyoto Machida they fight former champions of the night. Names like: Ronaldo Jacare, John Lineker and Thales leites are also confirmed on the show.