Just like he did for “The Chosen One” last April.
Who will get the next welterweight title shot against Kamaru Usman?
All signs point to bitter rival Jorge Masvidal after a successful “full camp” campaign, one that not only got the attention of “The Nigerian Nightmare,” but also those responsible for the return of The Ultimate Fighter reality show on ESPN.
But that spot could have gone to fellow contender Colby Covington, had “Chaos” chose to step up and fight No. 3-ranked Leon Edwards when a slot became available. Instead, the longtime Trumpian opted to sit on the sidelines and make championship demands.
A “tremendous mistake,” according to Usman.
“For you to sit here and demand, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve done enough. I demand a shot’ … First of all, you weren’t (the UFC’s) favorite in the first place,” Usman told MMA Junkie. “It’s not that you’re selling mad pay-per-per views. So for you to sit here and demand something like that, I think it’s ridiculous. I think the best way for you to solidify your title shot is to go out there and fight. And what better way than to knock off the No. 3 guy? He’s on his way up. He’s making the claim to the throne that he deserves that shot. What better way than to knock him off? He failed to do that and I think he made a tremendous mistake.”
Behavior characteristic of a “weird man.”
Usman stopped Covington in a close, back-and-forth brawl at UFC 245 in late 2019. “Chaos” eventually rebounded with a victory over fading talent Tyron Woodley; however, the promotion appears more interested in running it back with “Gamebred.”
Edwards has since gone on to secure a new opponent, which leaves Covington with very few options outside of Gilbert Burns, who was recently thwarted by Usman at UFC 258. Then again, there’s always this outside possibility.