COLBY COVINGTON's eagerly awaited rematch against Kamaru Usman will be a 'do or die' moment for his UFC championship ambitions.
Chaos will be rekindling his rivalry with the welterweight champion early Sunday morning at UFC 268 Madison Square Garden.
Colby Covingtion will face Kamaru Usman to win the UFC 268 welterweight title
December 2019, in Las Vegas.
in the Vegas showdown
In a close-fought fight in December 2019, the former interim champion 170lb fell to the promotion's first African born champion in fifth round TKO.
Former middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes that a second consecutive defeat to the Nigerian Nightmare could spell doom for Covington's hopes of winning UFC Gold.
SunSport was informed by the Count that he hadn't seen Colby enough. He hasn’t been [talking] too much. He'll be escalating his antics this week, I'm sure.
"But I think that's because he has his nose to grindstone in the gym, because he knows he must win this fight.
"If he does not win this, he won't get [another] chance at being the champ."
"Probably never again. This is the kind of moment that can make or break his career.
"I don't think he can't have a successful career even if he loses.
He's not a champion, and he doesn't have those aspirations. Let's just say it this way.
Covington, 33 years old, has only fought one time since his UFC 245 battle with the active Usman. He defeated Tyron Woodley, a former team-mate, last September.
Bisping believes that this inactivity could be the downfall of the southpaw.
The Brit stated that the ex-American Top Team star said: "He hasn’t been active, so it’s always a negative."
"Certainly, when the guy you're up against has been very active. Kamaru Usman is an extremely active champion."
He said, "Colby is not active. Tyron was the only fight that had been held since his last fight.
"And no disrespect for Tyron, but he is one of many people who can beat Tyron.
"Tyron sort of fell off a bit." "I say this with respect to the former champ."
The divisive Covington must overcome a new-look Usman in order to win undisputed UFC Gold. He has recorded back-to-back KO wins in his previous two title defenses.
His dramatically improved striking coincides with his move from India to Denver, Colorado to train under Trevor Wittman, a renowned coach.
He's regarded as one of the greatest decision makers in his life. His forced switch to Sanford MMA was the result of a title defense against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258.
Bisping stated: "As Trevor Witman touched on, has gotten better and better.
"In some ways, fighting Gilbert Burns was the best thing that happened to him and being forced to switch coaches.
"That's no knock on Henri Hooft. It's just the truth that No.1 is Trevor is an amazing coach.
"But, secondly, the more coaches that you work with, the better your looks.
"Each coach brings something to the table.
Trevor Wittman, like Henri Hooft, is a master at striking. You can still see the changes he has made.
"And, as I said, they've been very, very active, and he's become the champion.
"The way he destroyed Masvidal, I don’t think anyone saw that coming."
UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 exclusive live on BT Sport 1, starting at 2am Saturday 6th November. Visit www.bt.com/sport/ufc for more information.
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