Colby Covington has accused Kamaru Usman of accepting 'easy pay checks against lightweights that should have never been there'.

The 33-year-old, who faces Usman for the second time at UFC 268 next month, also criticised his fellow American's last fight with former teammate Jorge Masvidal

Usman, 34, won the fight via one-punch knockout in the second round. 

WIN a brand new Xbox S and FIFA 22

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Speaking to ESPN, via MMA Fighting, Covington said: “I had to go out and finish a former world champion in [Tyron] Woodley.

“He got two easy pay checks against lightweights that should have never been there.

"His last fight was against ‘Street Judas’ Masvidal. God, I was beating that guy decades ago. That’s not an achievement.

"You’re proud for beating that guy? That guy’s a lightweight. He shouldn’t even be up here at the top of the mountain...."

Colby Covington celebrates after beating Tyron Woodley

He continued: “He’s knocking out lightweights, he’s knocking out guys that shouldn’t be in there with him.

"These are easy pay checks and there’s a reason he fought those guys, because he knew he was going to win.

"A former training partner of his, Dilbert, the guy should have never been in there.

"‘Street Judas’ Masvidal? The only reason he’s in that position is because he’s got all the hype on him. No one cares to see that guy fight. He’s not a top-tier fighter. ‘Street Judas’ Masvidal is the most fragile guy on the UFC roster and he deserves no place fighting in a championship fight and we found that out.”

Previously the UFC interim welterweight title-holder, 16-2 wrestler Covington hasn't fought since his TKO stoppage win over Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night 178 in Las Vegas. 

But ahead of his November showdown with Usman, 'Chaos' claims he is being avoided by the rest of the chasing pack. 

“The fact is no one wanted to fight me,” he added.

“Go to Hunter Campbell, go to Dana White, ask them the truth. No one would fight me.

"‘Street Judas’ Masvidal, they wanted to make this big hype fight, best friends turned rivals who hate each other’s guts now.

"He was running his mouth in the media saying all this and that, ‘I’ll drop Colby on sight, that guy’s fragile, blah blah blah.’

"There’s no one more fragile than ‘Street Judas’ Masvidal. That guy got - is he even awake yet, or is he still sleeping from the last time he fought Usman?

“I was trying to put on the biggest and best fights for the UFC. No one wanted to take the bait so now we are here and we get the best fight in the welterweight division and it’s gonna be a real treat for the fans.”

READ MORE: Tyron Woodley is the second-cringiest fighter in the world according to Henry Cejudo

MORE: Ciryl Gane: France's MMA heavyweight hope on his meteoric rise to UFC stardom