It appears that things are getting a bit scrambled atop the UFC’s 170-pound division. But that doesn’t mean that the fighters aren’t trying to create solutions of their own.
After Kamaru Usman’s big win over Rafael Dos Anjos at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale, he was already back to working on his next fight as he announced that he had been offered Colby Covington for sometime in January.
Covington’s last fight also came against Dos Anjos whom he defeated via unanimous decision to become the interim welterweight champion. Since that time and more specifically when the undisputed champion Tyron Woodley’s defended his title at UFC 228, it has still yet to be clarified as to whether or not Covington remains the interim champion.
Regardless, Woodley, who is recovering from hand surgery, claims that he will indeed face Covington next.
However, according to UFC President Dana White on a recent TSN appearance, his patience appears to be wearing thin with his champion which could lead to another interim title.
“Tell me when Woodley does want to fight. This is always an issue with Woodley,” White said. “We’re going to move on. That division is stacked. We’ve got a lot of good talent and whether Woodley fights or doesn’t, we’ll end up making a fight with some of the best guys in that division. [There] Could be [an interim title].”
With Woodley and Covington seemingly waiting for one another to be ready and the UFC lacking patience, once their newest welterweight acquisition in Ben Askren caught wind of the rumblings, he took aim at Usman.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGMbTqlPDm/
I know @ColbyCovMMA is a little bitch, but I know a guy who isn’t ☝️ https://t.co/b1QwNvvKqP
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 7, 2018
Hey Marty @usman84kg I know @colbycovmma is ducking you. I’ll be your huckleberry.
I know @ColbyCovMMA is a little bitch, but I know a guy who isn’t ☝️
This then led to a brief back and forth between Askren and Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.
Lol glad your client has good health insurance bc I don’t need it. https://t.co/WE6nhb8jVO
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 7, 2018
But one thing I gotta give you credit is you got balls. You want to fight a guy no one wants to fight. Looking forward to the build up https://t.co/xv7TfCqnvf
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 7, 2018
Take him down and beat him up like everyone else. Ali you are working in a world of faulty assumptions. https://t.co/lQrORKFL5G
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 7, 2018
Abdelaziz: If @Benaskren wants to fight @USMAN84kg for an interim belt you got it buddy we in ufc has good health insurance
Askren: Lol glad your client has good health insurance bc I don’t need it.
Abdelaziz: Listen you’re an undefeated world champion much respect but this is the big show what are you gonna do when you can’t take Usman down? Somebody should call 911 because you’re gonna be in big trouble #fact call uncle @danawhite
But one thing I gotta give you credit is you got balls. You want to fight a guy no one wants to fight. Looking forward to the build up
Askren: Take him down and beat him up like everyone else. Ali you are working in a world of faulty assumptions.
The former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight king in ‘Funky’ Ben Askren is currently set to be making his UFC debut at UFC 233 on January 26 opposite Robbie Lawler.
But now with the UFC’s need for a new main event atop that very same card, who knows how things will shake out.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 12/7/2018