UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman thinks Colby Covington has some work to do before they fight a third time.
Usman holds two victories over Covington. Their first encounter back in Dec. 2019 was worthy of “Fight of the Year” accolades. Usman won the title fight via fifth-round TKO. In their second scrap back in Nov. 2021, Usman once again emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
Kamaru Usman Sends Message To Colby Covington
During an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Kamaru Usman said he’d have no issue preparing for a third fight with Colby Covington despite having two wins over him.
“I’m motivated every day and I think it’s what made me who I am. There’s just a burning drive and desire inside me to compete. It’s about competition. I don’t care who the guy is. I don’t care if I’ve seen the guy, the face 10 times.
“My junior year in college when I was a national runner-up I had beaten a guy two times in a season, actually three times and he eventually beat me in the national finals. So, no. Each and every time I step out there I’m going out to compete to my best. I wanna bring my better self each and every time. I’ve tasted defeat, I know that I don’t like that. So, I’m going to do everything possible to ensure that I don’t feel that again.”
With that said, Usman feels Covington has some more fights left before getting another title opportunity.
“Colby’s doing the right things. He’s selling himself. You’ve got to sell yourself and you actually have to go out there and deliver. Right now, it doesn’t make sense. Go out there and sell yourself. There’s a guy in the division that everyone is giving this hoopla about. So, go out there. There’s a couple more fights you need to take on. You haven’t fought Gilbert Burns, you haven’t fought Vicente Luque, you haven’t fought Chimaev. So, go out there and get a couple of wins.”
Usman is expected to put his 170-pound gold on the line against Leon Edwards this July. It’s possible that the winner of that fight will meet the winner of Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns.
