Report: Woodley vs. Usman booked for UFC 235

Tyron Woodley will put his welterweight championship on the line at UFC 235 on March 2 against Kamaru Usman, sources told ESPN's Ariel Helwani.

The bout is signed and is meant to serve as the co-main event along with the Jon Jones-Anthony Smith light heavyweight title fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The UFC decided to give Usman (14-1) - rather than former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington - a shot at Woodley, according to Helwani. The decision was made due to Usman's current 9-fight winning streak, including a victory over Rafael dos Anjos in November, and his willingness to take part on short notice despite being injured.

Covington is also ready to fight and held out for a potential shot at Woodley while the latter recovered from hand surgery, according to Helwani.

The matchup with Usman will be the fifth title defense for Woodley (19-3-1) as champion. He most recently defeated Darren Till via submission at UFC 228 in September.