UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad shared a text message on social media that suggested Colby Covington turned down a fight with him at UFC 286.

The fighting promotion returns to London this Saturday night for the welterweight title bout between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

And, during the weigh-ins for the bouts, American fighter Colby Covington made a shock appearance as the back-up to the card's main event.

It seems to suggest that Covington will be next up for the belt, after a winner is decided at the O2 arena, however Muhammad believes he's entitled to a fight with the 35-year-old.

On Friday afternoon, shortly after Covington had taken to the stage in London, Muhammad shared the text with the caption: 'He turns down a fight on the same card so he can weigh in and not have to fight'.

The text message, to his nutritionist and chef Ian Larios, said: 'Could b on the London card' with a set of emojis afterwards.

Larios replied: 'Whattt. Oh s***. Against who'. 'Colby', Muhammad replied.

After another response from Larios, Muhammad said: 'Just waiting on confirmation if I am can u come out to Chicago 4 weeks out'.

The text messages were dated on January 25th, suggesting that the fight had been in the work for some months.

Muhammad shared the texts after seeing Covington arrive for the weigh-ins in London on Friday afternoon.

'Chaos' won't actually be lacing up his gloves on Saturday, after both Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman made weight for the main event. 

He will, however, be in attendance in the crowd, perhaps preparing to call out the winner, although he doesn't have a particularly strong case.

The UFC 286 main event promises the be a thrilling encounter as Edwards looks to defend his welterweight belt for the very first time.

He claimed gold in August last year after dealing Usman his very first defeat in the UFC with a brutal head-kick in the fifth, and final, round of their fight.