Covington Calls Out Usman for Trilogy After Withdrawing from Belal Muhammad Bout

Colby Covington pulled out of a scheduled fight with Belal Muhammad and immediately called for a trilogy bout with Kamaru Usman.

Kamaru Usman returned to the octagon for the first time in over a year at UFC Oklahoma City last Saturday, facing champion Dricus Du Plessis in the event's main event. Shortly after, welterweight contender Colby Covington — who had been booked against current champion Belal Muhammad — withdrew from that matchup and instead called out Usman for a third fight between the two longtime rivals. Covington framed the callout around his RAF Wrestling affiliation, challenging Usman to settle things on the mats. The two men have met twice before, with their rivalry being one of the most prominent in the welterweight division's recent history.

Why it matters

A Covington-Usman trilogy would be a marquee welterweight matchup, though Covington's withdrawal from a title contender bout raises questions about his path back to championship contention.

What's next

It remains to be seen whether the UFC will sanction a Covington-Usman trilogy or rebook Covington against another welterweight contender.

Key facts

• Kamaru Usman fought Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City last Saturday, his first fight in over a year
• Colby Covington withdrew from a scheduled bout against Belal Muhammad
• Covington and Usman have met twice previously in the welterweight division
• Covington challenged Usman specifically to compete on 'RAF Wrestling mats'

Bias & framing notes

Only one source provided usable reporting; the second source (Bloody Elbow) was behind a paywall. The available reporting is thin on detail — no date for the original Muhammad booking, no specifics on why Covington withdrew, and no direct quotes — limiting confidence in the full picture.

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