I guess Colby Covington got around to signing that contract.
According to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, an interim Welterweight title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Covington has finally been made official to co-headline UFC 224 on May 12, 2018 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Current division champion Tyron Woodley wasn’t too thrilled with the possibility of creating an interim title, though it seems the promotion wasn’t convinced “T-Wood” would be able to return in a timely manner to defend his strap due to his recent shoulder surgery.
Dos Anjos was already in line to face Woodley, much to the chagrin of Covington who has been lobbying for his own crack at the crown held by his rival. Now, they will have the opportunity to cement their spot at the top of the 170-pound mountain with a win. And they’ll have a belt to call all their own in the interim.
As far as Colby’s return to Brazil, which will undoubtedly be hostile after these comments, “Chaos” isn’t worried one bit about his safety.
“UFC has guaranteed my safety. Only security concern is gonna be when they lock RDA up and he has to stand across the cage from 170 pounds of raw American steel and sex appeal,” he said. “May 12, I put all the super villains that you nerds read about in your comic books to shame,” Covington added. “I’m taking over the world and RDA sure as hell can’t stop me.”
Dos Anjos, meanwhile. has gone 3-0 since moving up to 170 pounds, and will look to top it off by becoming the promotion’s next multi-division champion on May 12.
After what was a very dormant start to the year for the 170-pound division, business is picking up with the bookings of plenty of high profile fights like this one and this one.
UFC 224 is set to be headlined by a women’s Bantamweight title fight that will see Amanda Nunes defend her strap against Raquel Pennington. Also, Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort will collide in Middleweight action.
To see who else is competing at the UFC 224: “Nunes vs Pennington” event click here.