Colby Covington called on the UFC on Monday to book him as the replacement opponent for former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at this weekend's event, which because of the coronavirus pandemic has been moved from London.

Covington (15-2), who is coming off a December knockout loss to 170-pound champ Kamaru Usman, appeared as a guest of ESPN's Ariel Helwani on Instagram Live. He said that while both he and Woodley have agreed to the fight, it is not finalized.

"Right now, it's still being discussed," said Covington. "As far as I know, Tyron Woodley might have said yes. I think so. I know he's ducked me a lot in the past. But I think he's said yes and he's on board."

Woodley (18-4-1), who lost his belt to Usman last March and has not fought since, was scheduled to face Leon Edwards in Saturday's main event at O2 Arena. Once that was canceled and Covington wrote on social media that he wanted the fight, Woodley responded by saying that would be his No. 1 choice. He also has said it's been Covington doing all the ducking in the past.

Covington is No. 3 in the ESPN welterweight rankings, Woodley No. 5.

Covington said it would be no problem for him to reach the 171-pound limit for non-title fights by Friday's weigh-in. "I stay in shape year-round," he said, "and my walking-around weight is 180, 185 max. So it would be an easy weight cut for me." Covington doesn't care where the fight takes place, he said, but he wants it booked by the end of Monday.

"If the UFC doesn't give the people what they want, that's a shame," said Covington. "There's a reason I'm the people's champ. The people called for this fight, so they need to make this fight happen."