It appears that Colby Covington won’t be returning for a welterweight title shot as the California native is in talks to face off against Robbie Lawler instead in August. The match-up is expected to main event the UFC Fight Night card in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 3. According to
MMAFighting, both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout.
The news comes as a surprise as Covington has made it loud and clear that he deserves to be the next challenger for the welterweight title. After defeating Rafeal Dos Anjos to win the interim welterweight belt, Covington was set to challenge Tyron Woodley for the welterweight championship. The 31-year-old passed on the opportunity due to injury; however, White proceeded to move onto Darren Till and then stripped Covington of the interim belt.
The welterweight made a huge commotion about the decision leading up to Woodley’s fight against Kamaru Usman. Again, Covington passed on fighting the now welterweight champion, and the UFC then decided to give Usman the next title shot instead. Usman earned a lopsided decision against Woodley to win the welterweight title, but he then had to go under the knife for double hernia surgery that was going to keep him sidelined for a big part of 2019.
Covington was once again promised the title shot when Usman returned, but it appears he’s done waiting to fight and will reportedly go one-on-one against veteran Robbie Lawler. Covington vs. Lawler is expected to headline UFC Newark, which takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main card is scheduled to air on ESPN.