UFC fighter Colby Covington, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, voiced his disappointment after being excluded from the highly anticipated UFC White House fight card.
Upon the official announcement of the event, Covington’s name was conspicuously absent. Instead, he was presented with an offer to fight the victor of a bout between Mike Malott and Gilbert Burns.
Covington had actively campaigned for a spot on the card, stating his strong desire for the fight and his belief that the UFC was holding him out specifically for this event. However, no suitable opponent could be found. He expressed his willingness to fight “any man alive,” even at middleweight on short notice if necessary, though he preferred to compete at his natural welterweight class after a full training camp. Ultimately, he accepted the proposed fight against the Malott/Burns winner, agreeing to postpone his return until the end of the year.
Describing his feelings as “bummed” rather than merely “bothered,” Covington found it hard to accept his exclusion. He considered himself a loyal “company man” and a prime candidate for the event, especially given his history of bringing Trump to UFC events back in 2018 and openly supporting him, even enduring public criticism for wearing a MAGA hat through Times Square. He fully anticipated receiving the call to represent the U.S. on the White House card.
Covington explained his decision not to approach President Trump directly for a favor, believing Trump had “way more important things to worry about like keeping world peace right now.” He concluded that “the ship sailed” on his opportunity to attend the White House event in that capacity.
Beyond his personal disappointment, Covington also delivered a sharp critique of the event’s overall lineup, branding it “piss-poor at best.” He echoed widespread fan dissatisfaction, highlighting the significant gap between the promised “six or seven title fights” and the reality of only one title fight and a hastily arranged interim bout, labeling the card “disorganized.” He further lamented the scarcity of high-ranking American fighters representing the nation, pointing out Michael Chandler (whom he noted as being “40 years old”) and Sean O’Malley (whom he praised) but questioning the depth of American representation. Covington suggested that the UFC seemed less concerned with card quality, possibly due to lucrative deals, implying a decline in their commitment to delivering top-tier events.
