COLBY COVINGTON claims Kamaru Usman agreed to a rematch only because the UFC threatened him with losing his welterweight title.
They will be reviving their rivalry in the main event at UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden, New York on Sunday morning.
Kamaru Usman & Colby Covington will rekindle their rivalry at UFC 268 (TAG1]
stacked card features Usman vs. Covington II
Covington tried to rematch the first African champion UFC fighter after their December 2019 war for the ages, but was unsuccessful.
Chaos claims that the Nigerian Nightmare only offered to redeem him for the fear of losing the belt.
ESPN quoted him as saying: "It's been such an amazing journey. It's been hard. It was not supposed to happen.
They didn't want it to happen. They refused to listen to his manager.
"They tried to find every possible way out of fighting this rematch.
They didn't want to fight, and they must accept it because the UFC made them no other choice.
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALSThey said, "Hey, you either fight this fight or you get stripped. It doesn't matter which.
"You have to show the world that you are the best. It's been hard.
Covington and Usman, both 33 and 34, fought in the main event at UFC 245 in December 2019.
After a back and forth battle, Usman won the 170lb title with a fifth-round TKO win.
Covington has only fought one time since that fateful Las Vegas night. He won a fifth round TKO over Tyron Woodley, his former welterweight champion.
The former interim 170lb titleholder had previously attributed his inactivity in part to the top contenders refusing to confront him.
.
He stated that "The truth is no one wanted me to fight." Ask Hunter Campbell and Dana White the truth. I would not be beaten.
'Street Judas" [Jorge] Masvidal wanted to make a big hype fight. They were best friends who have become rivals and now hate each other.
"He was running his mouth in media saying all this, 'I'll Drop Colby on Sight, That Guy's Frail, blah,blah,blah.
"I wanted to put on the best and biggest fights for UFC.
"No one wanted the bait so we are here and now we have the best fight in the Welterweight Division and it's going to be a real treat.
If Usman loses their series, Covington will gladly jump into a trilogy fight with Usman.
He doesn't see Usman following his lead.
Yahoo Sports quoted him as saying: "I'm no coward. I will give the people what they want.
"If they're interested in this trilogy, I will do it immediately. He won't want to return after I finish him next weekend. It will be a life-changing loss.
"He won't want to return for the trilogy. He's likely going to retire."
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
