For as much noise as Colby Covington has made throughout his career, even he has learned when to take a step back. After missing out on a chance to compete at the upcoming UFC White House card, that time appears to be now.
Speaking Wednesday on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” the one-time interim welterweight champion addressed his frustrations with the UFC after recently taking shots at UFC CBO Hunter Campbell. In interviews this week, Covington went as far as to label Campbell a “hater” for trying to “ice him out” of fights.
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Despite those claims, Covington still believes he’s on good terms with the company.
“My relationship with the UFC is always going to be good in my book, because they’ve changed my life,” Covington told Uncrowned. “They’ve made me a self-made multi-millionaire. I came from nothing. Now I can take care of my parents’ houses, pay their cars and do things that never would have been possible without the UFC. So I’m always going to be grateful for the UFC.
“When I spoke out the other day, [it] was just a little frustration. I thought that I would have been rewarded with the White House fight. I said, ‘Hey, Hunter, I’ll fight anybody on God’s green Earth. You want to put me against Jon Jones at heavyweight? Let’s do it. It sells. We’re former roommates. Let’s do it.’
“He had other plans. He didn’t have any plans for me on the White House. He said the fight card was booked and there was no availability. There was only a few slots open, and they were all booked. So I was a little frustrated, and I spoke out of emotions, and I’m mad at myself because of that, but I love the UFC.”
Covington, who noted he has a meeting scheduled with promotional executives in the coming weeks, said the reaction wasn’t entirely his own. Emotions from his White House snub — particularly from those closest to him — played a significant role in how publicly vocal he became.
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“I wanted it and I cared, obviously — I wanted to be on that White House card,” Covington said. “It means everything to me to fight in front of all the politicians in [Washington] D.C.
“But I was like, ‘You know what? I’ve been to the White House. I delivered the belt to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I went to the Oval Office. I’ve toured the White House. I was there on election night. Trump invited me to election night countless times — twice. I enjoyed those experiences, so it’s different for me. I don’t need to go to the White House again. I can get those invites to go anyway, but I can fight anywhere in the world.
“It was my friends and, honestly, my parents. My parents were so mad. They were screaming, cussing, ‘F the UFC. I can’t believe they did this to you. You were so loyal to them. You took a fight with [Joaquin] Buckley and you didn’t even train. You were on the campaign trail for six months, you were all-in about America, Trump, and then they don’t give you this honor? The least they could do is give you this fight. You did them a favor on short notice last time.’
“That’s what got to me. I let other peoples’ emotions affect how I was talking, and I regret that.”
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Now 38 years old, Covington is shifting his focus toward what remains of his fighting future and which matchups are worth his time. He believes he has three or four fights left on his current UFC deal, and he’s open to riding it out while simultaneously exploring opportunities elsewhere.
Ultimately, Covington doesn’t intend to demand a release from the promotion as long as he continues to be able to work elsewhere, as he has with recent matches in Real American Freestyle (RAF).
In MMA, though, what does Covington want?
“High-level, entertaining fights. Something that moves the needle,” Covington said. “Something that is worth something that makes me want to get up early in the morning. A high-level fight. Someone that’s got a big name. Something that’s going to bring eyes and attention around the fight. I don’t want to fight nobodies that have done nothing in his career, never been in a main event. I’ve been main-eventing for six, seven, eight years straight. The top guy at welterweight selling this division for eight years plus.
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“I just want meaningful fights that add to my legacy. If it doesn’t add to my legacy, then what’s the point? Am I just going to fight for money now? It’s not about money to me. I got in this sport, like every wrestler does, because you do it for the glory. You don’t do it for the money.
“I know I still have four or five hard competitive years in me, so if UFC can’t use me, then I’m glad that RAF and Chad Bronstein can. I’m going to give them my best and make sure I sell this company to the moon.”
That next opportunity comes immediately. Covington is slated to compete this Saturday at RAF 7 in Tampa, Florida, against polarizing grappler Dillon Danis — assuming Danis actually makes it to the event.
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Although Danis has historically been known for no-showing competitions since his brief stint with Bellator in 2019, the jiu-jitsu specialist did at least successfully return to MMA last year. However, that hasn’t given Covington much solace. And that’s where RAF has come in.
“There’s a big part of me that’s worried that he’s not going to show up,” Covington said. “I’ve been assured that he’s going to be there for sure. I respect Dillon for wanting to step into my arena. I’m willing to step into his arena next if he wants to.
“Obviously he’s never allowed to go to a UFC event, so this fight could never happen in the UFC. It could only happen in RAF. So, I’m thankful for that. Luckily, I didn’t have to fight 27 Dagestanis to get kicked out of the UFC. So he’s got the strength of a lot of men right now.”
It’s a balancing act for Covington at this stage, planting one foot in the UFC with the other interested in exploring new ground. Whether that path leads back to the Octagon full-time or further into ventures like RAF may ultimately depend on what he values most in the twilight of his career.
