Colby Covington Believes He's ‘Living Rent-Free’ in the Head of Kamaru Usman

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Outspoken Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Colby Covington is set to become Kamaru Usman’s opponent in his first 170-pound title defense when the pair finally meet later this year. The newly-crowned champion is currently recovering from hernia surgery after defeating Tyron Woodley last month at UFC 235. The 25-minute bout was dominated from start to finish by “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

In the week leading up to UFC 235, Covington crashed Usman’s open workout session armed with his interim title and a megaphone. “Chaos” claimed he was the real champion and deserved the fight. Later that week, Covington and Usman nearly came to blows. It happened on Sunday when Usman and his entourage confronted Covington, who was dining downstairs at the buffet in the casino they were staying at.

Covington spoke to MMAFighting.com recently and believes Usman won’t be able to control his emotions when they fight. “I know I’m living rent-free [in Usman’s head],” said the welterweight. “Just the reaction I saw of him the day after his fight with Woodley, that showed me everything I need to know. I am in his head and he’s going to fight me emotional and I’m going to knock him out. He’s going to be throwing wild, he’s going to be trying reckless takedowns, and he’s going to gas out. People don’t realize how good I am and how good my cardio is until you’re in that Octagon with me, and he’s going to find out the hard way. He’s going to get his head dunked underwater in the 10-foot part of the pool. We’re not going to be in the kiddie pool like he’s used to, so his time is coming to an end. It’s just a matter of time.”