DALLAS – Kamaru Usman isn’t willing to accept his status as the No. 2 UFC welterweight contender.

For the same reason he agreed to serve as a backup fighter at UFC 228, he won’t concede he’s in line after ex-interim champion Colby Covington.

After all, things change. Opportunities arise, and Usman (13-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is unwavering in his belief that he’ll take advantage when the moment is right.

“I will be champion,” Usman said backstage at this past Saturday’s pay-per-view event at American Airlines Center.

Usman was paid a portion of his “show” purse to be on weight in case title challenger Darren Till(17-1-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC) came in heavy for a title bout against champ Tyron Woodley (19-3-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC). When he spoke to reporters, he was a little more than 24 hours removed from a hellacious weight cut that had sapped his strength. According to ESPN.com, he cut 13 pounds the night prior to official weigh ins. It was not easy money.

“But I still made the weight,” he said.

Usman said he wanted the title fight so badly, he would have been a backup for free. As to whether he’d do it again, that’s another story.

“If you pay me show and win, I’ll think about that,” Usman said. “That’s for damn sure. But I don’t think this is something I want to put myself through again.”

With Till now to the back of the line, it’s unlikely Usman will be asked to reprise his role. The bigger issue is who’s next for Woodley. Even though UFC President Dana White already has said Covington is the next challenger, Usman doesn’t take the decision as final.

“I’m not dwelling solely on what Dana said yesterday, because tomorrow Dana could change his mind,” Usman said.

But if there’s another hurdle to clear, Usman will oblige. He’d fight Till in Liverpool next. He’d happily face Covington for the right to vie for Woodley’s belt. Or he’d take on another contender, even though he believes he’s ranked high enough to stay put.

For all the options ahead, there’s no fighter with more personal stakes than Covington, whom Usman claims has avoided a fight on the way up the welterweight ladder.

“I truly want to put my hands through his face,” Usman said. “That’s a guy that the world will be watching as well.”

On Saturday, Usman watched Woodley submit Till to defend his title. He wasn’t rooting for Till to miss weight. He was happy to see the Brit seize his moment. He only figured it would take a little longer to have his.

For more complete coverage of UFC 228, check out the UFC Events section of the site.