Covington claims Usman isn’t from Nigeria: ‘He was born in Dallas’

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Angered that he claims to be more American than him, Colby Covington says Kamaru Usman isn’t even from Nigeria ahead of their UFC 245 fight, Colby Covington has taken one last jab at his op…

UFC 245: Ultimate Media Day

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Angered that he claims to be more American than him, Colby Covington says Kamaru Usman isn’t even from Nigeria ahead of their UFC 245 fight,

Colby Covington has taken one last jab at his opponent Kamaru Usman before their grudge match at UFC 245.

The former interim champ Covington (15-1) and current welterweight champion Usman (15-1) have identical records, and they will finally settle the score in the main event of UFC 245 this Saturday night. Exchanging a war of words in the lead up to their fight, Covington couldn’t help but take on last pop at Usman, calling him out for claiming to be the first Nigerian-born UFC champion.

Talking to MMA Fighting before their main event fight, Covington expressed his anger at Usman stating he’s more American than him.

“The thing that pisses me off the most about ‘Marty Fakenewsman’ is saying that he’s more American than me,” Covington said. “How is he more American than me? My family has served in the Korean War, in the Vietnam War, my family has shed blood for that flag, for the red, white and blue of America. What has his family ever done for America beside serve in the Federal penitentiary?”

The outspoken and highly controversial Covington continued by stating Usman can’t claim he is Nigerian when he was born in Dallas, and went to college in Nebraska.

“That’s why he got the name ‘Marty Fakenewsman’ because everything he says is all lies. He’s out here claiming to be the first Nigerian-born, African champion. He was born in Dallas. He went to college in Nebraska. He was wiping the mats at the Olympic training center in Colorado, and now he lives in Boca Raton (Fla.). There ain’t no Nigerian nightmares in Boca. The only things in Boca are early bird specials.”

Despite what Covington says, Usman was born in Nigeria, with his family moving to the United States when Kamaru was eight years old.

UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington airs live from Las Vegas tonight, with the main card starting at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.