Kamaru Usman Says He’s Been Offered Interim Title Shot This January

Kamaru Usman was last seen in action at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale, defeating former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos by decision in the main event.

The victory for Usman was a big one because it evidently propelled him to a shot at the UFC Interim Welterweight Title.

“I’m going to go out there and knock out Colby Covington,” Usman said to TMZ Sports. “That, right now, is the fight. The UFC just called and they offered us that fight. They said, ‘Colby Covington, in January.’ And you know what I’m gonna do. Of course I’ve accepted it – for the fifth time, I’ve accepted the fight. Right now, we’re just waiting on him. I guarantee you he’s going to say no. I think there’s a 0.0001 percent chance will make (Covington) fight (me). … But if it’s up to Colby Covington, no.”

Usman doesn’t mention what event the potential title bout would happen at, but there are two events scheduled for that month, which are UFC 233 and UFC Fight Night Brooklyn.

UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington is the only fighter ranked ahead of Usman in the UFC Welterweight Division rankings, but he hasn’t fought since UFC 225 earlier this year. UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is also out of action right now after getting hand surgery, last competed at UFC 228.