“[Usman] and [manager] Ali Abdelaziz are looking for an easy lick. They’re looking for a journeyman-type fight, a guy who’s lost in pretty much all weight classes with a double digit loss record. I don’t blame them for taking the easy route, but one way or another, I’m going to catch [Usman]. They can delay but they can’t deny me.”

“Load the house on Usman. That’s the easiest bet of all time. It’s locker than locked,” said Covington, who beat former champion Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision in August last year. “Everybody’s going to start making excuses for Masvidal. Get ready for all the crybabies supporting Judas Masvidal.

“He’s going out there to take the quick L. He’s knows he’s going to get the L – he wants an easy fallback plan ... He’s gonna get bodybagged. The only way he doesn’t if [Usman] comes down with the ’rona.

“I’m hoping he goes out there and dusts Jorge real quick and is injury-free so we can fight for the title by the end of the year.”