Colby Covington has been declared as the first title challenger for newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. However, nothing has been set in stone just yet, which is why “The Nigerian Nightmare” is looking to change things up.
During a backstage interview at UFC 236 on Saturday, Usman sent a strong message to his would-be challenger.
“Now you have to beg me for that fight,” Usman said (via MMA Junkie).
After winning the interim 170-pound title in 2018, Covington had always felt deserving of the title challenger spot. So much so that when the UFC decided to pass him over twice, he called for his release from the UFC, and even went as far as confronting Dana White during a blackjack game in Las Vegas at UFC 235 in March.