David Larsen 
@adminUFC President Dana White has finally put an end to all speculations regarding who the welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will be facing next. It is none other than his most difficult challenge to date, Colby ‘The Chaos’ Covington. In an Instagram live comments section of Kevin Iole Instagram who was discussing Usman’s next opponent, UFC President Dana White wrote, “Colby Covington is next.” All the fight fans are definitely going crazy as this is the fight that should have been made earlier instead of Masvidal vs Usman 2. But since that ship has already sailed UFC is now moving ahead with one of the most important fights in the UFC’S welterweight division.
Colby Covington will try to avenge his loss against Kamaru Usman
Colby Covington is the no.1 ranked welterweight in the UFC. This won’t be his first title fight opportunity. Colby fought Kamaru at UFC 245 in December of 2019. Though he lost the match, he was the only fighter who has given the champion some sort of adversity to deal with in their fight battle.
It was a back and forth fight for five rounds. Both the fighters were hurt and exhausted still neither of them was ready to back up. Going into the fifth round Colby was slightly ahead on the scorecard, which made Kamaru go for the kill. Usman in the last round was coming forward aggressively trying to take out Colby, which he eventually did. Kamaru landed some heavy shots and which broke Colby’s jaw. Colby was down and hurt and was trying hard to survive but the referee had seen enough and he decided to jump in and stop the fight at the last minute of the fight. After the fight, Colby even protested that it was an early stoppage and he could have survived but it was too late now. He’s been campaigning for a rematch ever since UFC 245, but now after two years, his wish has finally come true. Covington last fought against former champ Tyron Woodley and won the fight via TKO.
Kamaru Usman on the other hand has a very different path since that fight. He has got this unique ability to keep getting better after each fight. Since that fight, he has defended his title three times against Gilbert Burns and fought Jorge Masvidal twice. He was first scheduled to fight Burns who pulled out just a week before the fight and Masvidal stepped in. Usman defeated Masvidal via decision and then went on to fave Burns. He completely destroyed Burns in their fight. Though Burns had his moments in the first round but got dominated in the second round and lost the fight to the champ vis TKO. Kamaru Usman recently secured one of the most satisfying victories in his career as he knocked out Jorge Masvidal in their rematch at UFC 261.
Both Colby and Usman have improved as fighters, but it is the champion who has been busier since their first fight which will be helpful for him in his fifth title defense against one of his arch-rival Colby Covington. The odds will be against Covington and the champion will a heavy favorite in the betting lines, but MMA is a game of uncertainty and sometimes it’s very rewarding to bet against the odds.
