UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is expected to defend his title against Jorge Masvidal in July, UFC president Dana White told "The Jim Rome Show" on Friday.
"(Masvidal) and Usman will fight in Vegas, probably International Fight Week," White said.
The promotion's July pay-per-view card has yet to be officially announced, so it's unclear whether Usman-Masvidal would headline the event.
White said after Usman's title defense against Colby Covington last month that he wanted to see the Masvidal fight next.
At the time, Masvidal was hoping to square off with former two-division champion Conor McGregor. Masvidal later grew frustrated with McGregor, who returned to the cage Jan. 18, and shifted his focus to the 170-pound champ.
Masvidal and Usman have traded verbal barbs over the past month and were involved in an altercation Wednesday at Super Bowl radio row in Miami.
"The Nigerian Nightmare" finished Covington in the fifth round of their back-and-forth affair, which headlined UFC 245 in Las Vegas. Usman captured the belt last March.
Masvidal won three fights in 2019, stopping Nate Diaz, Ben Askren, and Darren Till. He had a breakout year and is now one of the most popular fighters in the sport.
