Kamaru Usman News

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman opens as big betting favorite over Colby Covington

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.

Colby Covington, Robbie Lawler
Geoff Neal

What's next for Colby Covington and Robbie Lawler after UFC Newark?

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.

Stephen-Thompson
Kamaru Usman

Stephen Thompson believes Leon Edwards deserves title shot before Jorge Masvidal

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.”

Kamaru Usman, Dana White
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman pokes fun at Colby Covington over post-fight interview

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.

Kamaru Usman, Interim title, UFC
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman: There could be psychological aspect in Lawler vs. Covington matchup

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.

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Kamaru Usman

Dana White clears the air on UFC welterweight title picture

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):

Jorge Masvidal, Ben Askren, Conor McGregor, Chael Sonnen
Jorge Masvidal

Jorge Masvidal will only accept two opponents for his next fight!

Chris Taylor - July 16, 2019

Jorge Masvidal scored arguably this biggest win of his career earlier this month, defeating former Bellator and ONE champion Ben Askren by way of knockout. ‘Gamebred’ set a record for the ‘fastest knockout in his history’ with the win, as he needed on 5-seconds to put an end to Askren’s undefeated streak.

Kamaru Usman, Jorge Masvidal
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman says 'slow down' on Jorge Masvidal title shot talks

Cole Shelton - July 13, 2019

At UFC 239, Jorge Masvidal was taking on Ben Askren, where many thought the winner would be fighting Kamaru Usman next for the title. “Gambred” ultimately knocked “Funky” out cold with a flying knee just 5-seconds into the fight. It was a highlight reel knockout, and one Usman was glad to see. “It was great, it was incredible, man. Jorge has been putting in work for a long long time,” Usman said to TMZ Sports. “I’m happy to see him go out there and now start to get some recognition.”

Tyron Woodley, Kamaru Usman
Tyron Woodley

Tyron Woodley believes Kamaru Usman rematch could happen next

Natasha Hooper - July 4, 2019

Tyron Woodley believes a rematch against Kamaru Usman is in the cards for later this year. During the MMA Awards, Woodley shared his thoughts on his next fight in the Octagon.

Leon Edwards Kamaru Usman
Leon Edwards

Leon Edwards wants to dethrone UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman

Fernando Quiles - July 1, 2019

Leon Edwards feels he’s on the right path to a shot at UFC gold. On July 20, Edwards will collide with former UFC lightweight title holder Rafael dos Anjos. The welterweight scrap will serve as UFC San Antonio’s main event. “Rocky” will be looking to extend his winning streak to eight. Meanwhile, dos Anjos hopes to snag his second straight victory.

Kamaru Usman, UFC 251
Colby Covington

Kamaru Usman says Colby Covington 'messed up' title shot, Ben Askren is now next

Cole Shelton - June 26, 2019

When Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the welterweight champion, all signs pointed to his first title defense being against Colby Covington. Well, that likely won’t happen now. On Monday it was announced that the former interim champion would take on Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark. Much to the despair of Usman.

Kamaru Usman, UFC 245
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman issues statement following Covington vs Lawler booking

Christopher Taylor - June 24, 2019

It was expected that current UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman would fight former interim champ Colby Covington in his first attempted title defense. However, that is no longer the case as it was reported earlier this evening that Covington would be returning to the cage this August in Newark against former division title holder Robbie Lawler.

Kamaru Usman, Dana White
UFC

Kamaru Usman discusses fights with Colby Covington, Ben Askren

Natasha Hooper - May 27, 2019

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman discussed his highly anticipated showdown with former interim champion Colby Covington, which has still not yet been finalized. He says that his health is his priority, and that he needs to recover from his lingering injuries before he commits to his first title defense.

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Colby Covington calls 'fake news' on Kamaru Usman surgery

Cole Shelton - May 24, 2019

Colby Covington has been waiting to get a shot at the welterweight title ever since he beat Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 to win the interim belt. It has been nearly a year since that fight, and Covington has stated he is ready to fight and is just waiting on the champion Kamaru Usman, who is recovering from injury. However, Covington believes Usman is not even hurt, and that he didn’t even need surgery. Instead, he thinks the champion is faking injuries to avoid him.

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Dan Lambert

Dan Lambert says he has been told Covington vs. Usman is next '100 percent'

Cole Shelton - May 17, 2019

After Colby Covington beat Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 to win the interim welterweight title, the expectation was that he would fight Tyron Woodley for the undisputed belt. They do not like each other and it would have been one of the bigger fights of the year. However, “Chaos” was passed up not once but twice at UFC 228 and UFC 235. On those cards, Woodley beat Darren Till and then lost to Kamaru Usman. Following Usman winning the belt, UFC President Dana White said Colby Covington was next for a title shot. But for months now, nothing has been said and Usman’s manager has talked about Ben Askren or Jorge Masvidal getting the title shot instead.

Kevin Lee
Colby Covington

Kevin Lee lists five opponents he wants to fight before career is over

Cole Shelton - May 16, 2019

Kevin Lee is moving up to welterweight to take on the former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Rochester this Saturday. Although “The Motown Phenom” is moving up in weight he is not done for good in the lightweight division. Instead, he has hopes of fighting a few lightweights in particular before his career is over.

Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Ben Askren
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman says Colby Covington has to beg him for title fight

Cole Shelton - April 16, 2019

After Kamaru Usman beat Tyron Woodley at UFC 235 to become the new welterweight champion it was expected Colby Covington would be first in line to get the title shot. UFC President, Dana White even said so during the event. But now, Usman wants Covington to beg him for the fight. “Now you have to beg me for that fight,” Usman said backstage at UFC 236 (transcript via MMAJunkie).

Ali Abdelaziz, Kamaru Usman
Colby Covington

VIDEO | New footage shows Kamaru Usman and Ali Abdelaziz confront Colby Covington in Vegas

Tom Taylor - April 3, 2019

Shortly after UFC 235 wrapped up, there was a heated confrontation inside The Palms casino, as UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his manager Ali Abdelaziz confronted top welterweight contender Colby Covington. This confrontation ultimately got somewhat violent, as video revealed the manager Abdelaziz actually took a swing at Covington.