Colby Covington threw his name into the hat to fight Tyron Woodley on Saturday, March 21, once he learned that Leon Edwards was pulling out of the bout due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Covington and Woodley appeared on ESPN's "Ariel Helwani's MMA Show" on Monday to both say that they're game to make the fight happen on short notice.
And Covington really believes it can be done.
"The fight with Woodley is still being discussed," he told Helwani. "I think (Woodley) said yes and he’s on board. The people want this fight. All other sports are shutting down right now."
The COVID-19 outbreak has already forced the UFC to change the location of the fight from London, its original destination. Finding a new venue will be difficult considering states and countries around the world have set bans or restrictions on public gatherings due to the coronavirus, but Covington remains confident and doesn't care who hosts the fight.
"It doesn’t matter if it’s in tribal land, it doesn’t matter if it’s in the White House," Covington continued. "I’d be happy to call President Trump to get this fight on the White House lawn if need be. I could make 171 (pounds) this week. I stay in shape year around. It would be an easy weight cut for me."
He added: "Something needs to be decided by today. Dana (White), Hunter (Campbell), the UFC needs to decide this by today. I’m hoping this fight gets done by today. If it doesn’t, it’ll be a ball dropped by the UFC. We’re getting close to the red zone. I think it’s going to happen. We’re not that far from making it happen. I’m very confident. I’m gonna prepare as if I will."
All of this is music to Woodley's ears, as the former world champ badly wants the opportunity to damage Covington and was more than happy to tell Helwani all about it.
"Colby Covington is my No. 1 choice. My No. 1 choice," Woodley began saying. "If I could fight him ... lord ... there is a heaven above."
With major sports leagues suspending and canceling their seasons and events due to the coronavirus, Covington also expressed the urgency of making this fight happen "for the world" to fill a void.
"The world doesn’t have sports right now, doesn’t have entertainment," Covington said. "I want to put on a show for the world."
Covington lost via fifth-round TKO to UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in December. Usman got the title by defeating Woodley by unanimous decision last March. Woodley hasn't been in action since.