During a live Q&A in Las Vegas on Friday, Kamaru Usman was asked if he would consider a third fight against Colby Covington or Jorge Masvidal, who would meet in the UFC 272 final the following day. evening.
Usman turned to the crowd, who called out Covington’s name. So there you have it, the welterweight champion ready to give him another shot if that’s what it takes to demonstrate beyond doubt that he’s the best in the world in his division.
“I asked the viewers what they thought, and they think Colby has a right to a chance. Absolutely,” Usman told ESPN.
Covington probably gave Usman his best opposition yet. In the 10 rounds they fought against each other, Covington won nearly half of them.
“If he stays at 170 pounds and keeps winning, eventually we have to give him a shot,” UFC president Dana White said.
Meanwhile, Covington challenged another former teammate, Dustin Poirier, after beating Masvidal. He said in a press briefing after the gala that he considered this duel as simply an opportunity to prepare before a possible third fight against Usman. He also said he wants to be very active in 2022 and fight again in July. Then he could refocus on Usman, who he believes has beaten on points once despite the judges’ decision.
“We still have things to settle between us,” said Covington.
White, however, isn’t as keen on the idea of pitting Covington against Poirier. The latter said he hated Covington so much that he wouldn’t let him get paid to face him, that they would have to settle their differences on the streets.
Covington will have to be patient before returning to the league as Usman plans to first defend his title against Leon Edwards in July, if his hand is healed after surgery he underwent in February to repair ligaments. Next, he would like to jump into a ring against one of the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet, Canelo Alvarez. He would like it to happen in September, but he is well aware that this month, Canelo is more likely to complete his trilogy with Gennadiy Golovkin.
Alvarez has shown interest, while White isn’t sure it’s such a good idea.
After dreaming of getting into the UFC, becoming a UFC champion and then becoming the best pound for pound in mixed martial arts, Usman has another goal in mind.
“I tell everyone, I will stop Canelo. I have to believe it if I’m going to get in a ring with him. It doesn’t matter what everyone says. »
Two other matchups will be key to the future of the welterweight division: Gilbert Burns v. Khamzat Chimaev on April 9, then Vicente Luque v. Belal Muhammad the following week. The winner could have the opportunity to fight for the belt afterwards, although Usman has already beaten Edwards.
