Does anyone have Kamaru Usman’s number?

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ might well be expecting a phone call in the coming days after news emerged that Tyron Woodley, the UFC welterweight champion, will be out of action until next year after he learned the surgery is required to repair a damaged thumb Woodley sustained in his victory against Darren Till at UFC 228.

Speculation had linked Woodley with a headline bout against the UFC’s pantomime villain, Colby Covington, in the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden in November but with that no longer a possibility, perhaps it makes sense to determine once and for all the true no. 1 contender between Covington and Usman — two fighters who have been engaged in a longstanding verbal spar with each other.

Woodley’s surgery will likely come with an 8-12 week recovery time.

Covington had held the UFC’s interim 170-pound title but was stripped of it after declaring himself unavailable for a bout with Woodley earlier this month. That title challenge ultimately went to Darren Till.

Writing on Twitter, Covington expressed his dismay at Woodley’s injury: “That brittle bitch fights 1.5 rounds in 14 months and needs another “surgery?” Covington wrote. “Quit playing games Tyrone. You know whenever those nerds get done putting you back together, I’m just gonna tear you apart and end you for good.

“Accept your fate or be stripped of your No. 1 contender spot.”

That brittle bitch fights 1.5 rds in 14 months and needs another “surgery?” Quit playing games Tyrone. You know whenever those nerds get done putting you back together, Im just gonna tear you apart and end you for good. Accept your fate or be stripped of your #1 contender spot. https://t.co/P1xMpHNvBe

— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) September 22, 2018

What happens next? Anyone’s guess?