Covington wants Usman rematch, 'friends-turned-enemies' bout vs. Masvidal
Colby Covington has only two opponents in mind for his next fight.
The former UFC interim welterweight champion told theScore's James Lynch last week he wants a rematch against current 170-pound titleholder Kamaru Usman or a bout with his former teammate Jorge Masvidal.
"It would definitely be the friends-turned-enemies angle with 'Journeyman,' 'Street Judas,' Jorge Masvidal," Covington said when asked which fight he'd take besides a title bout.
Covington added: "Why does (Masvidal) not want to fight Usman? Why's he holding out? Why's he scared? Maybe there's something going on that we don't know about. Maybe Jorge wants 'America's champ,' maybe he wants the 'People's Champ,' maybe he wants Donald Trump's favorite fighter, and maybe he wants Miami's favorite fighter - because he claims to be from Miami, but everybody knows I'm the king of Miami right now and I run the streets of Miami."
Covington lost to Usman via fifth-round TKO at UFC 245 last December, but it was a competitive - and entertaining - bout until the stoppage. Covington believes he deserves an immediate rematch, adding that the UFC is aware of his desire to fight either Usman or Masvidal.
The 32-year-old used to be friends with Masvidal and trained with him at American Top Team in Florida, but they had a public falling out over the past year. Covington left the gym in May.
"There's only two fights that need to be made, and if the UFC doesn't make them, that's OK," Covington said. "I'll keep getting better."