Usman vs. Covington Official for UFC 245

UFC President Dana White said UFC 245 would have three title fights, and the promise has now been fulfilled.

Despite recent failed negotiations, Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington have reportedly agreed to terms for a welterweight title fight at UFC 245 in December.

The pair were originally targeted to meet in the main event of UFC 244, but talks fell apart late, with UFC President Dana White blaming Covington for demanding more money and repeatedly backing out of fights.

Usman, who will be making his first title defense here, won the championship when he defeated Tyron Woodley at UFC 235. The events surrounding the card saw Covington crash Usman’s open workout and a brawl between Covington and Usman and manager Ali Abdelaziz. The tension between the two was further seen after Covington’s win over Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark.

Covington claimed the interim welterweight championship with a win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225, but he was stripped of the title after a nasal surgery prevented him from unifying with then-champion Woodley. Since then, Covington has made a case of not only being the true No. 1 contender but even the “real” UFC welterweight champion.

Each man will enter this fight with a 15-1 record, with Usman, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 21, winning every fight since losing his second pro bout (including a perfect 10-0 record in the UFC), while Covington has won seven straight.

UFC 245 will also feature Max Holloway defending the UFC featherweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski and Amanda Nunes defending the UFC women’s bantamweight championship against Germaine de Randamie.

Original Story: ESPN