Colby Covington takes credit for ‘loosening up’ Kamaru Usman’s chin for Leon Edwards KO

Colby Covington takes credit for Leon Edwards's KO of Kamaru Usman, hinting at exectuting all the "heavy lifitng.'

Colby Covington takes credit for ‘loosening up’ Kamaru Usman’s chin for Leon Edwards KO

Colby Covington credits himself for rival Leon Edwards' KO over Kamaru Usman (Source: IMAGO/Twitter)

Leon Edwards was able to defeat Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. He also handed the “Nigerian Nightmare” another skid at UFC 286; not an easy feat. But Colby Covington, who faces Edwards at UFC 296, had things to say regarding that victory. He is of the opinion that he loosened up Usman as an opponent first.

The longtime welterweight contender faced titular losses at UFC 245 and UFC 268. This “heavy lifting” made all the difference, according to Covington.

Despite a 0-2 skid and prolonged inactivity, Covington returns to the welterweight stage soon. The former interim welterweight champion and 170lbs fighter got into a feud with Jorge Masvidal, after UFC 272. Thus effectively putting him out of action, from March last year. Speaking to UFC.com about his skids to Usman, and Edwards winning, he said:

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No doubt about it, I took the fight out of Usman...His chin was never the same and I’m the one that loosened up that chin. I head kicked him and had him on wobbly legs, then he calls timeout. It’s not like Leon did something that I hadn’t already done.
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Covington also criticized Edwards’ legitimacy of the title shot in facing Usman. He said that he himself had toiled hard to get where he is; despite the outcome. But he is of the opinion that Edwards “cried his way” to a title shot with Usman.

The fighter elaborated that for him, it “is not about the destination; it’s about the journey”. He aspires to prove his mettle against Edwards accordingly.

Covington is to challenge Edwards, in the main event of UFC 296, on Dec. 16. The event accounts for a third undisputed title shot, hurled towards Covington. The event takes place at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas.

Colby Covington squabbles with Kamaru Usman over PED use

Colby Covington has faced off with Kamaru Usman before, and so has his to-be opponent, Leon Edwards. A part of his absence and consequent return can be imparted to this trio, moreover.

Covington had agreed to serve as backup for the Edwards-Usman trilogy fight, which thus earned him this title shot again. Back in 2021, when a staggering welterweight bout was on the horizon between him and Usman, Covington had chosen the hard way on.

UFC 296' Colby Covington had once accused opponent Kamaru Usman of excessive PED usage
UFC 296′ Colby Covington had once accused opponent Kamaru Usman of excessive PED usage (Source: Twitter)

Standing as the #1 contender for UFC 268, Covington had chosen to initiate substantial amounts of trash talks toward his opponent. Speaking to Submission Radio, in an interview, he had said:

He’s been doing EPO his whole career...It’s so obvious. His chemical imbalance, his body. He’s got the pimples all over his back, all over his face.

The Nigerian, who had then gone on for 50 clean tests under the USADA testing pool, was the biggest of the bunch, in the 170lbs division. He joined the likes of Daniel Cormier and Holly Holm, who have tested clean as such. Usman had a very quirky and yet funny response for his then-opponent.

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