LAS VEGAS – Camaro Usman stood on stage Friday afternoon on the T-Cellular Area, subsequent to his daughter Samira. The UFC Welterweight Champion and ESPN MMA King Pound-for-Pound was taking part in a question-and-answer session with Megan Olivier, a UFC lecturer earlier than the ceremonial UFC 272 weigh-in.
Usman was requested if the winner of the UFC 272 primary occasion between Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal may get one other title in opposition to him, after Usman defeated each males twice. Usman requested followers if anybody thought Covington defeated him at UFC 268 final November, a battle that Usman gained by close to unanimous resolution. Fairly a couple of folks cheered in favor of Covington.
That was all Othman wanted to listen to. If Covington had left some doubt as to who was the very best middleweight on this planet, Usman mentioned he can be prepared to ditch that concept in a doable third battle.
“I requested the viewers for his or her opinion, they usually thought Colby had an opportunity,” Usman informed ESPN. “in any respect.”
I’ve fought Covington Usman nearer than anybody since Usman was a hero. Within the ten rounds, the 2 had been within the octagon, and Covington gained at the very least 4—virtually half. Polarized, trash-talking Covington saved himself in contender place on Saturday by unanimously defeating Masvidal at UFC 272, his former greatest buddy, roommate and coaching associate, in one of many largest grudge matches in UFC historical past.
“If he stays at 170 and retains profitable, you ultimately have to provide the child an opportunity once more,” mentioned UFC president Dana White.
Covington referred to as up one other former teammate, Dustin Poirier, after his victory over Masvidal. He mentioned in a press convention after the battle that he would take into account Poirier a “battle of management” earlier than an eventual third battle with Osman. Covington mentioned he desires to be “very energetic” in 2023 and battle once more in July. After that, he refocused on Osman. Covington mentioned followers at UFC 268 in New York final November felt like he had defeated Usman in a welterweight battle.
“I’ve unfinished enterprise with him,” Covington mentioned of Usman.
White wasn’t as enthusiastic about Covington in opposition to Pourier as Covington was. Pourier mentioned he hated Covington a lot that he did not need him to be paid for a match, and that they needed to settle their variations on the road.
“You are preventing Powarer after which what?” White mentioned. “He has to go in some course.”
If Covington He’s In a position to return to the title snapshot, no time will move. Usman mentioned he goals to defend his title in opposition to Leon Edwards in July, on the situation that his hand recovers from the surgical procedure Usman had in February to restore the ligaments. After Edwards, Usman was severe about crossing into boxing and difficult Canelo Alvarez, the very best fighter within the pound-for-pound sport.
Usman want to battle a boxing match in September, however understands that Alvarez is tentatively destined to battle his three-way battle in opposition to Gennady Golovkin that month and notes that offers may be damaged. Alvarez has expressed a sure degree of curiosity, whereas UFC president Dana White mentioned he does not assume it is an excellent thought. In Usman’s thoughts, he “manifested” to develop into a UFC fighter, then a UFC champion, after which the very best fighter in MMA. He achieved all of this stuff, so why not beat Alvarez, too?
“I inform everybody, I am going on the market and stopping Canelo,” Osman mentioned. “I’ve to be the one to imagine it, as a result of I’ve to be the one to step in there. It does not matter what everybody says.”
There are two different large fights between welterweight rivals that can assist form the division’s future. The UFC introduced a battle between former title contender Gilbert Burns and rookie phenom Khamzat Chimaev for UFC 273 on April 9 in Jacksonville, Florida. Every week later, Vicente Luc confronted Bilal Muhammad. The winner of any of these fights has a case to be made for a title, following Edwards. However Usman has already defeated Burns.
White mentioned having a Chemayev match in opposition to Burns that may eradicate the title “is smart”, however that is so far as he’ll keep it up.
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Colby Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal within the majority of the UFC 272 primary occasion for a formidable win.
ESPN analyst Chil Sonnen, who is aware of what it takes to say a former UFC title contender a number of occasions, does not assume Shemayev turns into the primary contender until he fully dominates Burns. However he believes that if Covington desires to get one other probability on the belt, he should beat the Chechen dynamo.
“If you wish to get to the nickname, it goes by way of Chimayev,” mentioned Sonin. “If somebody is prepared to face as much as it and declare the identical alternative for themselves that Chimayev may have – a title battle after that – I believe it may at the very least be taken significantly.”
As a lot as Masvidal does, Sonnen is optimistic about his future within the UFC, regardless of the loss. Masvidal simply signed a model new contract on Thursday that makes him one of many 5 highest-paid fighters on the roster, in keeping with Masvidal’s First Spherical Administration staff. Sonnen thinks an enormous battle awaits “Gamebred” – prone to be a rematch with Nate Diaz, whom Masvidal beat to win the legendary BMF title in 2019. Masvidal mentioned he’ll take a while after UFC 272 and be again within the fitness center in a few month for an evaluation. what he desires to do.
“What’s subsequent for Masvidal? There’s something enormous coming for Masvidal,” Sonnen mentioned. “It is the second largest draw within the sport after Conor McGregor, who may be on the agenda, by the best way, and create the largest battle of the yr. He can even go within the course of Nate Diaz, who’s the third largest draw within the sport.”
Usman’s plan is principally to battle Edwards in July, problem himself in opposition to Alvarez, after which see how the squad strikes into 2023. Whether or not the boxing battle pays off, if Usman manages to defend his title in opposition to Edwards, the subsequent step may repay. Go in various instructions. It is likely to be Shemayev or Luke. Or possibly even Covington. However they’ll all should be affected person.
“The clear first candidate will emerge,” Othman mentioned. “It at all times is. However proper now, the primary competitor is Leon Edwards. I’ll deal with him in July. The subsequent primary competitor is Canelo Alvarez. I’ll deal with him in September.”
