It seems like everybody wants to fight on the UFC’s White House card.
The UFC made national headlines on the fourth of July, when President Donald Trump announced that he was putting Dana White in charge of a UFC event on the White House lawn.
UFC at the White House is a done deal for July 4, 2026, as part of the USA’s 250th birthday celebration, with the premier promotion planning logistics.
Many UFC stars like Jon Jones have already registered their interest in fighting in front of President Trump. However, White has said he wouldn’t trust ‘Bones’ to headline a show of this magnitude.
To no surprise, controversial contender (and Jones’ former college roommate) Colby Covington is the latest fighter to campaign for the White House.
Colby Covington pleads with Dana White for White House fight
Covington was the first UFC champion to be invited to the White House in 2018.
Covington got the call-up from President Trump following his interim title win over former champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225. The UFC welterweight put his championship belt on Trump’s desk and took a photo with the President in the Oval Office.
Covington talked to Helen Yee about potentially fighting on the White House card.
“There’s nothing more that I want for my career than to fight at the White House,” Covington said.
“I’m the one that started getting MMA into politics and Donald Trump, supporting the Republican movement.
“So, I feel like I deserve to fight there,” the former interim titleholder added.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the UFC, whatever they decide. But I’m calling my shot now. Please, please, Dana, let me fight on the White House card.
“I know Trump asked you, Dana, to let me on that White House card. Please, Dana. Please…” Covington added.
Covington said his dream opponent for that card would be England’s Paddy Pimblett, who fights at the weight class below (lightweight).
‘If it’s not Paddy Pimblett…’ Colby Covington names potential fight
At this rate, Pimblett is a very, very unlikely opponent for Covington.
Covington has lost his last two fights to then-champion Leon Edwards and Joaquin Buckley, while Pimblett is on the cusp of a potential UFC title opportunity against Ilia Topuria. Pimblett is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC lightweight division.
Covington hasn’t won since defeating Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.
“Let’s get it going, Paddy,” Covington challenged Pimblett to move up to welterweight.
“If I can’t get Paddy, then maybe Gilbert Burns,” Covington suggested another fight.
Former UFC title challenger Gilbert Burns has been calling out Covington for several years now, but unfortunately to no avail.
Burns is right below the #10-ranked Covington in the welterweight division. ‘Durinho’ is on a four-fight losing skid to some of the best welterweights in the world, including the current champion Jack Della Maddalena, who he nearly beat last year at UFC 299.