Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC planning for Kamaru Usman-Colby Covington welterweight title rematch

UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman (19-1-0) stopped Colby Covington (16-2-0) in the fifth round of a classic match at UFC 245 in December 2019:

It looks like they will run it back later this year. 

UFC boss Dana White told ESPN's Brett Okamoto (h/t Marc Raimondi) on Monday that Usman will defend his championship versus Covington in the main event of UFC 268 in November. Raimondi notes that the date and location for the card are not yet finalized, but the UFC wants to hold the event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

Per the official UFC rankings, Usman is the world's No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter behind only Jon Jones, while Covington is rated the top challenger in the welterweight division. 

Usman has won 14 consecutive UFC bouts and is a pair of victories away from tying mixed martial arts legend Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in the promotion's history. The 34-year-old stopped Jorge Masvidal in the second round of their fight at UFC 261 in April. 

Covington, meanwhile, bounced back from his loss to Usman by defeating Tyron Woodley in September 2020 but hasn't fought since. The 33-year-old has won eight of his last nine contests. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump