TLDR
- Colby Covington backs rival Kamaru Usman to get the first title shot at Islam Makhachev’s welterweight championship
- Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz ruled out number two-ranked Ian Machado Garry as next challenger
- Usman defeated Joaquin Buckley to get back in the win column and has been campaigning for the Makhachev fight
- Makhachev called Usman the “biggest name in welterweight” and his “hardest fight”
- Makhachev became a two-division champion by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322
Sources: MMA Fighting | Bloody Elbow | Independent
Colby Covington has made an unexpected endorsement of his longtime rival Kamaru Usman to get the first title shot against Islam Makhachev’s welterweight championship. The statement comes as speculation builds around who will challenge Makhachev in his first defense of the 170-pound belt.
Makhachev became a two-division champion when he defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The Dagestani fighter now holds a 28-1 record with 5 knockouts and 13 submissions.
The champion has yet to have his first welterweight title defense confirmed. With multiple contenders in the stacked division, the UFC and Makhachev’s team are working to determine the next challenger.
Top Contender Gets Ruled Out
Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz recently ruled out number two-ranked Ian Machado Garry as a potential opponent. Abdelaziz posted on X that the UFC is working on a “much bigger” fight that does not include Garry’s name.
“This is, I can tell you, the UFC working on a big fight and Ian (Garry) name is not involved,” Abdelaziz wrote. “Much bigger. One of the biggest fight in the UFC right now they can make. Stay tuned.”
Machado Garry responded on Instagram, accusing Makhachev of stalling. “I’m ready… he needs more time,” the Irishman wrote. “Imagine being the number one pound for pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
The 17-1 contender recently defeated former champion Belal Muhammad in November. He had also scored an impressive decision win against Carlos Prates earlier in his current run.
Abdelaziz’s comments have fueled speculation that Usman could be the chosen opponent. The former champion also falls under Abdelaziz’s management alongside Makhachev.
Usman Campaign Gains Support
Usman has been pushing for a shot at Makhachev since defeating Joaquin Buckley to get back in the win column. Makhachev himself has expressed interest in the matchup.
The champion called Usman the “biggest name in welterweight” and said the Nigerian would be “the hardest fight for me.” These comments align with Abdelaziz’s suggestion that a major fight is in the works.
Covington’s endorsement of Usman adds another voice to the campaign. The two fighters have a long history as rivals, having faced each other twice during Usman’s championship reign.
Usman dominated the welterweight division from 2019 to 2022 as champion. He successfully defended his title five times against opponents including Jorge Masvidal, Covington, and Gilbert Burns.
The 34-year-old is considered one of the division’s all-time greats. However, he is now in the later stages of his career.
Makhachev has looked dominant at the UFC’s highest level. His only professional loss came over 10 years ago, and he is one of just 11 double champions in UFC history.
Before moving to welterweight, Makhachev defeated Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano during his lightweight title reign. He relinquished the lightweight crown in May last year.
Other rising contenders like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales have also been mentioned as potential challengers. Prates is scheduled to face former champion Jack Della Maddalena on May 2.
