Colby Covington isn’t planning to accurate sit down around while he waits for his next reserving.
Might presumably well still welterweight champion Kamaru Usman or Jorge Masvidal be compelled to withdraw from their upcoming rematch at UFC 261 on April 24 for whatever motive, Covington is able to step in as a backup fighter for that most well-known tournament.
Covington, who lives and trains in Florida, told The Schmo that he’ll be in attendance at VyStar Veterans Memorial Enviornment in Jacksonville, Fla., when the next UFC pay-per-gape rolls around.
“I’m going to evaluate issues when that battle occurs,” Covington said (h/t MMA Junkie). “Everyone is conscious of—The UFC hasn’t told me, nonetheless I focal level on it’s pleasing self-explanatory that I’m the backup man. If the rest occurs, anyone will get COVID, anyone will get cool feet and pulls out of that battle, I’m showing up. That’s accurate down the road from me.
“We’re in Miami, Fla., accurate now. That’s three-and-a-half of hours, four-hour trek. I’ll snatch a bus over to Jacksonville and I’ll be showing up for that battle. I’ll be there. So if anyone pulls out, I’ll be stepping in and we’ll evaluate from there. I accurate desire to build on fair correct fights and capitalize on my high of my career, which is what I’m in. So we’ll inquire of what occurs in about a weeks.”
No legitimate assertion has been made by the UFC relating to a imaginable alternate for Usman vs. Masvidal 2. The bout is a rematch of their UFC 251 meeting closing July that Usman received by a lopsided unanimous decision. Masvidal himself was as soon as a replacement opponent for that bout as he stepped in on no longer as much as a week’s sight for Gilbert Burns, who was as soon as compelled to withdraw after checking out sure for COVID-19.
Usman went on to face Burns at UFC 258 in February. He successfully defended his title by third-spherical TKO, improving his spotless UFC report to 13-0. It was as soon as furthermore Usman’s third title defense, a stretch that involves a fifth-spherical TKO of Covington at UFC 245.
Legit or no longer, Covington is treating the next couple of weeks delight in a battle camp within the tournament that he is called upon.
“That’s as much as Dana White and Hunter Campbell,” Covington said when requested if he expects to be weighing in for UFC 261. “That’s their decision. That’s their industry and what they wish. However I’m staying ready. I in actual fact dangle my weight ready to pass. I’m coaching, making ready delight in I’m fighting April 24 for the field title. So within the occasion that they wish me to weigh in, I’d worship to weigh in. If no longer, it’s okay. I’ll be there in attendance, and I’ll be ready to pass in case anyone pulls out closing minute.”
Might presumably well still Covington no longer sleep serving as a replacement fighter on April 24, he’ll procure himself standing across the octagon from a hated rival both capability. Excluding his feud with Usman, Covington and Masvidal dangle long been desirous about a public disagreement after previously being chums and teammates on the American Prime Crew gym.
Alternatively, also can merely still his companies and products no longer be called upon, Covington still expects to bring collectively a title shot sooner as a substitute of later.
“Colby Covington within the combination is easy,” Covington said. “I’m still gonna be the No. 1 man within the field. ‘Marty Fakenewsman,’ clearly he’s purchasing for more straightforward fights. He doesn’t desire to provide the of us and the fans what they wish. The of us and the fans desire spherical two of me and Marty Spurious Newsman.”
