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Report: Dos Anjos, Covington to fight for interim 170-pound title at UFC 224

Perry Nelson / USA TODAY Sports

Another title bout has been added to UFC 224.

Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington will clash for an interim welterweight crown on May 12 at Rio de Janeiro's Jeunesse Arena, according to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.

BJPenn.com's Chris Taylor first reported the matchup was in the works in March.

The bout's implications come as a bit of a surprise, since reigning champion Tyron Woodley is aiming to return from shoulder surgery just two months after Dos Anjos and Covington clash.

Dos Anjos emerged as a contender at 170 pounds with three straight victories since moving up from lightweight last June, most recently besting Robbie Lawler in a dominant showing at UFC on FOX 26 in December. Covington, meanwhile, returns to Brazil after capping his October decision win over Demian Maia in Sao Paulo with some controversial comments aimed at his opponent's countrymen. He's won five straight and six of seven in the Octagon.

In the main event, bantamweight queen Amanda Nunes will defend her crown against Raquel Pennington.

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