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Nigeria’s Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya (The Last Style Bender) could face a potential title challenge from Colby Covington before this year runs out, megasportsarena.com reports.
This is the verdict of Covington’s agent, Chael Sonnen, who thinks his ward deserves another title shot at welterweight or middleweight, yet reckoned that gunning for Adesanya’s belt appears to be the most plausible for now.
Covington cemented his No. 1 welterweight ranking by dominating rival Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, but with the cadre’s champion, Kamaru Usman already holding two recent wins over him, it could take a while to get a third crack.
However, with Usman set to face Leon Edwards this year and UFC president, Dana White declaring Gilbert Burns versus Khamzat Chimaev is the next likely number one contender fight, Sonnen thinks Adesanya should be their target.
Though it would mean Covington moving up to middleweight to challenge the champion, Sonnen opined that his ward’s earlier declaration that he wanted to fight Adesanya makes perfect sense.
He added that his ward’s recent victory over Masvidal amounts to something meaningful and Sonnen, who has served as a mentor for Covington (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) over the years, believes Adesanya will not pose any threat.
Sonnen said in an interview with Helen Yee: “I’m so proud of that guy (Covington). He gives the fans what they tuned in for from pillar to post.
“Guys have got done fighting and wanted to hug it out and be friends and Colby says, ‘That’s not what I sold you tickets on.’
“He never stops until they fade to black and roll the credits. Colby stays in it. He’s a great guy, Colby’s never in trouble out of the octagon.
“I’ve known him since he was 11 years old, the guy’s never been in trouble. He grew up (up) the road from my house.
“He’s a consummate professional. He’s chasing his dream. He just got one step closer. He just took the ‘BMF’ champion and beat him up for 25 minutes.
“That has to mean something to somebody. I don’t understand how he can be the only No. 1 contender in the sport.
“He’s recognized as the No. 1 contender, he’s ranked No. 1, and he doesn’t get to cash that ticket and fight for the belt.”
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