Imagine a UFC star trading the octagon for the campaign trail, all in the name of 'saving America.' That's exactly what Colby Covington did, and now he's aiming for a spot on the most unconventional fight card ever—right on the White House lawn. But here's where it gets controversial: Covington openly blames his recent losses on his political activism for former President Donald Trump. Is it a valid excuse, or just a convenient deflection? Let’s dive in.
Colby Covington’s time in the UFC octagon has been notably sparse in recent years. This Saturday night, at Real American Freestyle on Fox Nation, he’ll step into the ring for just his fourth fight in nearly four years. After defeating Jorge Masvidal on March 5, 2022, Covington suffered back-to-back losses on December 16, 2023, and December 14, 2024. His most recent bout against Joaquin Buckley was a last-minute affair, taken on just a week’s notice after Ian Machado Garry was reassigned to UFC 310. At the time, Covington attributed the loss to his campaigning efforts for Trump—a claim he reiterated to Brian Kilmeade in a recent interview.
But is it fair to blame politics for a fighter’s performance? Covington insists his focus was divided: 'Everybody knows I was on the campaign trail with Donald Trump. I was out there trying to save America—New York, here, there, everywhere. Then UFC calls me on one week’s notice. That fight wasn’t indicative of who I am as a fighter.' Whether you agree or not, it’s a bold statement that’s sure to spark debate.
Now, with a full 12-week training camp under his belt for Real American Freestyle, Covington is confident. 'I’ve refined my freestyle wrestling skills, and I’m ready to deliver the best performance of my career,' he declared. But here’s the kicker: he’s using these matches as a stepping stone to a much bigger goal—fighting on the White House South Lawn on June 14 for a UFC event during Trump’s potential second presidency. 'That’s the plan,' Covington said. 'I’m hoping to get on that card.'
And this is the part most people miss: Covington’s political ambitions aren’t new. He visited the White House in 2018 after winning the UFC welterweight title, a belt he held for roughly a year and a half before losing it. Since then, he’s failed to reclaim the title in two subsequent championship fights. Now, he’s facing Luke Rockhold, the former UFC middleweight champion who hasn’t fought in MMA since August 20, 2022. It’s a high-stakes matchup that could reignite Covington’s career—or further fuel the debate about his priorities.
So, what do you think? Is Covington’s political activism a distraction, or is he simply a fighter with a passion for his beliefs? Let us know in the comments. One thing’s for sure: whether you love him or hate him, Colby Covington knows how to keep the spotlight—both in and out of the octagon.
