Colby Covington, the outspoken American welterweight contender and former UFC title challenger, has reignited his feud with former champion Kamaru Usman, accusing the Nigerian fighter of cheating during their two previous encounters. Covington, known for his brash persona and trash talk, leveled the accusations during a recent Twitch stream, further escalating the already contentious relationship between the two fighters. This latest salvo comes as Covington prepares to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Tampa, seeking to solidify his standing in the welterweight division and potentially earn another shot at the title. The accusations, however, shift the focus back to Covington’s past battles with Usman, raising questions about the legitimacy of their outcomes and adding another layer of intrigue to their rivalry.
Covington’s accusations, while unsubstantiated, paint a picture of Usman as a fighter who has consistently sought an unfair advantage. He specifically referred to Usman as “Marty Juiceman,” a derogatory nickname implying the use of performance-enhancing drugs. This is not the first time Covington has made such accusations against Usman, but their reiteration ahead of his upcoming fight suggests a deliberate attempt to discredit Usman’s past accomplishments and cast a shadow over his legacy. Covington, in contrast, portrays himself as a fighter who has always adhered to the rules and earned his success through hard work and dedication. This dichotomy – the cheater versus the honest competitor – forms the central narrative of Covington’s rekindled feud with Usman.
The two fighters have met twice inside the octagon, with Usman emerging victorious on both occasions. Their first encounter at UFC 245 in December 2019 was a thrilling back-and-forth battle that culminated in a fifth-round TKO victory for Usman, solidifying his status as the undisputed welterweight champion. The rematch at UFC 268 in November 2021 was an even closer contest, with Usman ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory after five grueling rounds. Covington, however, has never fully accepted these defeats, consistently claiming that he was robbed of victory in the first fight and that Usman employed underhanded tactics in both encounters.
Usman, who is currently navigating a challenging period in his career following three consecutive losses, has yet to respond to Covington’s latest accusations. The former champion’s silence, however, speaks volumes, given his previous willingness to engage with Covington in verbal sparring. This could be interpreted as a strategic decision to avoid further fueling the controversy or simply a reflection of Usman’s current focus on rebuilding his career after a series of setbacks. Whatever the reason, Usman’s absence from the conversation allows Covington’s narrative to dominate the headlines and further solidify the image of Usman as a tainted champion in the minds of some fans.
Usman’s recent struggles inside the octagon have raised questions about his future in the sport. After a dominant reign as welterweight champion, he suffered back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards, first losing his title via a stunning head-kick knockout at UFC 278 and then failing to reclaim it in a close majority decision loss in their trilogy fight at UFC 286. He then suffered another setback at UFC 294 in October 2023, losing a majority decision to rising contender Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice bout. These consecutive defeats have undoubtedly tarnished Usman’s aura of invincibility and placed him at a crossroads in his career.
Despite his recent setbacks, Usman’s career record remains impressive, boasting 20 wins and only four losses, with 15 of those victories coming inside the UFC octagon. He remains a highly respected figure in the mixed martial arts community, known for his exceptional wrestling skills, relentless pressure, and unwavering determination. While his future in the sport remains uncertain, Usman has demonstrated resilience throughout his career, overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve success. Whether he can bounce back from his current slump and regain his championship form remains to be seen, but his past accomplishments suggest that he should not be counted out. The lingering questions, however, fueled by Covington’s accusations, add another layer of complexity to Usman’s legacy and his ongoing quest to reclaim his place at the top of the welterweight division.
