Now that Kamaru Usman has disposed of Tyron Woodley and taken control of the 170-pound division, the path has (finally) been cleared for ex-interim welterweight champion, Colby Covington, who fights “The Nigerian Nightmare” at some point this summer.
Before they can settle their differences inside the cage, mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are likely to be subjected to more trash talk from both Usman and Covington, though “Marty from Nebraska” might be getting his lines from manager Ali Abdelaziz.
Particularly the ones about “immigrants.”
“More lines that Ali Abdel-A-Sleaze is feeding him,” Covington told MMA Junkie. “(Usman) doesn’t even know what he’s talking about, to be honest. He doesn’t know the difference between legal and illegal immigrants. It’s a sad state. He’s trying to figure out his identity; he doesn’t know his identity. It’s just sad, man. He’s trying to be this good guy, but then he’s out attacking me in the Palms buffet line, putting people’s lives in danger. It’s sad. I can’t wait to punch a hole in his face.”
Abdelaziz was recently fired from his role of self-appointed matchmaker.
Usman (15-1) captured the glass trophy on season 21 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), then went on to win his next nine fights inside the Octagon. Not only has “The Nigerian Nightmare” been able to capture the division crown, he’s looked completely unstoppable in the process.
As for Covington (14-1), he’s been able to win six straight fights and stands at 9-1 inside the Octagon. “Chaos” was expected to fight for the division title as far back as UFC 228, but instead opted for minor surgery to address nagging health issues.
Perhaps the winner of Usman vs. Covington gets this “Funky” contender?