Kamaru Usman News

Thomas Taylor - September 16, 2019

UFC 244 was originally expected to be headlined by a welterweight title fight between reigning champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Colby Covington. Unfortunately, negotiations for this fight ultimately hit a snag, and the fight was never made official. Welterweight contender Ben Askren believes that’s because both Usman and Covington made the same mistake: the both assumed they have more popularity — and therefor more bargaining power — than they actually do. Askren shared this opinion, which will surely generate some backlash from Usman and Covington, on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday.

Tom Taylor - September 13, 2019

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was expected to make the first defense of his title against Colby Covington this November at UFC 244. Unfortunately, the negotiations for this fight hit a snag, and Usman’s fight with Covington is still unscheduled. It’s not completely clear what caused these negotiations to stall, but fans are starting to get impatient with both sides.

Mike Heck - September 11, 2019

Leon Edwards, for a moment, had a world title opportunity presented to him during the craziness of booking the main event for UFC 244. First, it was Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington that was discussed, then Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, and ultimately onto Masvidal vs. Edwards for the vacant title before landing on the signed headliner, Masvidal taking on Nate Diaz. “Rocky” has won eight fights in a row including his most recent victory over former world champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC San Antonio. With Edwards’ recent surge, and Covington’s internal battle with the UFC going on, the 28-year-old is staking his claim at the title shot over the brash Covington.

Tom Taylor - September 9, 2019

Back in April, Tyron Woodley surrendered the UFC welterweight title to Kamaru Usman. Ever since, he’s been campaigning for a do-over with the new champion. Woodley once again called for that rematch with Usman over the weekend, shortly after news surfaced that negotiations for a bout between Usman and Colby Covington had fizzled. He did so in the replies to an Instagram post from ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani.

Tom Taylor - September 6, 2019

Yesterday afternoon, ESPN reported that the much discussed welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington, expected to occur at UFC 244 in November, is in jeopardy. “The Kamaru Usman v Colby Covington 170 title fight is far from done, multiple sources say,” ESPN’s Ariel Helwani wrote. “In fact, negotiations have hit a snag and UFC is now looking at other options, sources say. Those options include a different welterweight title fight and/or a different main event.

Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019

Earlier today, ESPN reported that the much discussed welterweight title fight between champ Kamaru Usman and challenger Colby Covington, expected to occur at UFC 244 in November, is in jeopardy. The Kamaru Usman v Colby Covington 170 title fight is far from done, multiple sources say. In fact, negotiations have hit a snag and UFC is now looking at other options, sources say. Those options include a different welterweight title fight and/or a different main event.

Tom Taylor - September 5, 2019

When Colby Covington defeated Robbie Lawler earlier this summer, he cemented himself as the next man in line for UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. In the subsequent weeks, the bout was linked to the upcoming UFC 244 card, scheduled for November 2 in Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, it now sounds as though this bout in jeopardy. According to ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani, negotiations for this Usman vs. Covington fight have hit a snag, and the UFC is now considering other options.

Chris Taylor - September 1, 2019

Colby Covington believes he should be a 3-1 betting favorite in his upcoming title fight with current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. ‘Chaos’ is expected to meet ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden on November 2 at UFC 244.

Chris Taylor - August 24, 2019

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will attempt to make his first title defense on November 2 in New York, when he takes on Colby Covington. The announcement comes from Brazilian news outlet Combate, who reported this afternoon that Kamaru Usman will square off with Colby Covington at UFC 244 on November 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Cole Shelton - August 16, 2019

After putting on a dominating performance against Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark, the expectation is that Colby Covington now fights Kamaru Usman for the welterweight belt. Of course, “Chaos” has been promised a title shot before. So, he isn’t holding out hope for it, especially after what happened after his fight with Lawler.

Natasha Hooper - August 10, 2019

Leon Edwards isn’t scared to share his thoughts on his fellow welterweight contenders. That includes the current champion, Kamaru Usman, who Edwards calls out during a sit-down interview with BJPenn.com. “Rocky” first faced Kamaru Usman at UFC Orlando in 2015. Usman won via a unanimous decision victory, delivering Edwards the first loss of his UFC career. Four years later, Edwards hasn’t lost a fight and maintains the second most active win streak in the welterweight division. He sat down with BJPenn journalist Natasha Hooper to answer some much-anticipated questions.

Cole Shelton - August 7, 2019

Kamaru Usman’s first title defense is far from official. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ captured the UFC’s coveted welterweight strap this past March, defeating Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision. After Colby Covington beat Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC Newark, UFC president, Dana White said “Chaos” was next for the title shot. Yet, that may not be the case anymore. According to Usman, Leon Edwards is a dark horse and could very well get the next title shot.

Adam Martin - August 5, 2019

The opening betting line has been released for the upcoming Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington welterweight title grudge match. The online sportsbook Bovada opened up the UFC welterweight champion Usman as the clear -300 betting favorite. Covington is the underdog at +230 odds. That means you would have to bet $300 on the favorite Usman to win $100, while a $100 bet on Covington as the underdog would win you $230.

Cole Shelton - August 5, 2019

Colby Covington returned to the Octagon after more than a year off to take on Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC Newark. It was a critical fight for “Chaos” as, should he win, he would finally get that elusive UFC undisputed title shot. In the end, that is exactly what happened as Covington dominated Lawler for the entire fight as he threw over 500 strikes and attempted almost 20 takedowns. Following the fight, here is what we think should be next for the two of them.

Natasha Hooper - August 5, 2019

Stephen Thompson believes UK fighter Leon Edwards should fight Kamaru Usman next. He’s not so sure about Jorge Masvidal. Thompson gave his take on the welterweight title situation in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. “Leon Edwards is on an 8 fight winning streak, wow,” he said. “So he could possibly be fighting for the title. I know everyone’s talking Masvidal, but he’s had two wins and his third loss was me at MSG. I think there are other people more deserving of the title, but he’s put on some good shows and knocked out some good people so you never know.”

Adam D Martin - August 4, 2019

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington got into a heated argument at the post-fight show following UFC on ESPN 5. Covington defeated Robbie Lawler in the main event to secure the next title shot at Usman later this year. The trash talking between the two went on for a while and they nearly came to blows during the interview before UFC security stepped in and producers ended the segment.

Tom Taylor - July 31, 2019

On Saturday night, in the main event of UFC Newark, former interim welterweight champ Colby Covington will step into the cage with former undisputed welterweight champ Robbie Lawler in a bout that could produce the next welterweight title challenger. As such, reigning champ Kamaru Usman will be watching the action closely. Lawler used to train at American Top Team, the gym Covington still calls home, and the pair actually got quite a bit of training in together over the years. Usman believes their previous training sessions could definitely play a psychological role in their fight — though he’s not sure who will benefit.

Adam D Martin - July 28, 2019

UFC president Dana White says that Colby Covington is close to finally getting what he’s wanted for a long time: a title shot against UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. All he has to do is go out there next Saturday at UFC Newark and beat Robbie Lawler. The head honcho of the UFC confirmed the news with reporters following UFC 240 (h/t Damon Martin):