Usman dropping Covington (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Colby Covington has been calling for a rematch with Kamaru Usman ever since he was stopped by the UFC’s welterweight champ. But, according to the latter, he’s made a strategic error then by not facing Leon Edwards.

Recently it was reported that after Khamzat Chimaev withdrew from a March 13th fight with Edwards, due to complications from COVID-19, the UFC was hoping to have Covington replace him. ‘Chaos’, however, argued that Edwards didn’t deserve to face him, despite the fact he’s won eight straight.

Since then, Usman spoke with MMA Junkie, and here’s what he had to say about Covington turning down the Edwards fight.

“I think he made a huge mistake, a tremendous mistake,” Usman said. “Who turns down a paycheck? He turned down a paycheck. That’s horrible. You can’t do that. I mean, maybe he’s not hurting for money. But you can’t turn down a paycheck. Then on top of it, you turned down a chance to really remind the fans.

‘I understand, you’ve got to win. But that’s one win in how long? (Tyron) Woodley’s coming off a two-fight, three-fight skid. It’s a tough one to basically say, ‘Oh, all right, you’ve got one win. You’re back in.’ For a guy that’s coming off a two, three-fight skid, that was a tough one.”

The champion, who is coming off a stoppage win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, also said this.

“For you to sit here and demand, ‘Oh, yeah, I’ve done enough. I demand a shot’ … First of all, you weren’t (the UFC’s) favorite in the first place,” Usman said. “You’re not. So you can’t sit here (and say that). It’s not that you’re selling mad pay-per-per views. You don’t really do that, as well. So for you to sit here and demand something like that, I think it’s ridiculous. I think the best way for you to solidify your title shot is to go out there and fight.”

After Usman’s win over Burns, the renowned fighter called for a rematch with Jorge Masvidal. Usman recorded a decision win over ‘Gamebred’ last summer, in a bout the latter took on just days notice.

Belal Muhammad has agreed to face Edwards on March 13th.