Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington title bout targeted for UFC 244 -

The UFC are officially planning a welterweight title bout between longtime rivals Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. The bout is planned to take place at UFC 244 in New York City on November second. According to reports from MMA Fighting, who also received confirmation from Dana White, the deal is almost done. According to the reports, at least one side has verbally agreed to the fight, though bout agreements have not been signed.

The two have had a contentious rivalry, with Covington attempting to disrupt Usman’s open workouts ahead of this last bout. The two are almost polar opposites in terms of personality and persona. While Covington relishes his antagonistic role, while Usman remains a respectful fighter who tries not to get personal ahead of fights.

Covington is fresh off of a dominant win over former champ Robbie Lawler. This win was Covington’s seventh straight victory, a win streak that includes decision wins over Rafael dos Anjos and Dong Hyun Kim. Usman, however, sits on an even more impressive ten fight win streak. He has yet to taste defeat in the UFC, and was most recently active at UFC 235 where he dominated Tyron Woodley for five rounds, winning him the welterweight title. He also holds wins over Demian Maia and Sergio Moraes.