UFC 268:
Every yin needs its yang. Whether you like the “in cage persona” of Colby Covington or not is inconsequential. He and Kamaru Usman are as close as mirror images can be. And before the sun sets on their careers, although Usman is up 2-0, they will trilogy. And maybe even do it a fourth time. But with “Chaos” temporarily in the rear view mirror, it’s time to ask, what’s next for Usman.
The 34-year old has now verbally toyed with the idea of a fight with Canelo Alvarez. We’ve all seen the way that story goes. The likelihood of an MMA fighter, no matter how good, going in and beating a boxer at his game, let alone be the best is slim to none. With slim not a choice. And the same goes the other way. Hence no boxer searching for a cross-over fight has stepped into a cage.
Usman says he wants it to challenge himself. Dana White who admitted to the press he watched the Alvarez versus Plant fight cageside (but wouldn’t say if he paid for it, or illegally streamed it), said no. No he doesn’t want any of that. The welterweight champion in his own lane still has some names yet to get a crack at the title. Now; if they could beat Usman is another story.
During fight week he said the problem for Covington is that he’s fighting in his era. Even White said that if Usman wasn’t champ, Covington would be. That is a double edged sword. Sometimes a champion only has one great foe. Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, and Michael Chiesa may not be “big draws” to put on the marquee with Usman, but all are worthy. He has wins over Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns; both an option. When it comes to trying for double-champ status, he’d rather not fight his good friend Israel Adesanya.
Usman told the press:
“I won’t do Izzy, unless of course Dana gave us $100 million. Then I’d have to sit down with him and say, hey wanna do it for $50 million each”?
What’s Next For Usman
The man is on the verge of breaking multiple records. He wins his next fight, he ties Anderson Silva’s win streak to start a UFC career at 16. It would be his 6th title defense, and out of the dozen fighters to hold the 170 strap, he can soon officially claim greatest welterweight of-all-time. Despite doing that now. GSP was still a more well rounded and dangerous martial artist. Usman has the “pop” in his hands Pierre didn’t. Even though the former college wrestler has just nine knock outs. Khamzat Chimaev is still way too early on to challenge for the belt. Belal Muhammad is a solid fighter, but is way over matched at this point.
If there ever was a time for White to give a cross-promotion a shot it would be now. Ray Cooper III in the PFL has called him out. In Bellator there’s about a dozen very worthy challengers like MVP, Douglas Lima, Yaroslav Amasov, Neiman Gracie, and Andrey Koreshkov. Especially with Bellator believing they have the best 205ers. But at least Usman has a better shot at fighting and winning against them, over a boxer. Beit Canelo or anyone else.
There hasn’t been a big outcry or any pressure for that type of contest. Perhaps if there were, there might actually be one. At least until Covington is ready for the third battle.
