Colby Covington has voiced strong criticism over the UFC’s upcoming Freedom 250 event, scheduled for June 14, 2026 on the White House South Lawn. The card, which will feature lightweight champion Ilia Topuria defending his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje, is one of the most significant in the promotion’s history. Marking both the 250th anniversary of American independence and President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, Freedom 250 will be the first UFC event staged at the White House.
Covington, known for his public support of President Trump and previous White House appearances, is not on the lineup for the event, an omission that drew his ire following the UFC’s official announcement. Speaking to MMA Junkie, Covington did not hide his disappointment, describing the card as unworthy of its historic setting.
“It’s piss-poor at best,” said Covington. “The fans have spoken. They said they hate it. It’s a terrible card.”
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Covington expressed that he felt especially overlooked, given his past connection to Trump and his presence at the White House in previous years. He criticized what he viewed as a lack of prominent American fighters featured on a card designed to spotlight U.S. heritage.
As Covington’s comments circulated, rising middleweight Bo Nickal publicly challenged Covington’s narrative. According to Nickal, the reason for Covington’s absence was not omission, but refusal to accept a matchup. “I asked for him, and the UFC tried to make the fight,” Nickal said. “I know they talked to him extensively, and long story short, he just wouldn’t do it.”
I tried, he said absolutely not. https://t.co/1201NIO3FD
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) March 8, 2026
Nickal went on to label Covington a “coward,” asserting that Covington turned down a genuine offer to compete at Freedom 250.
Covington quickly disputed Nickal’s account, stating he was never presented with an official bout agreement or offer for a fight with Nickal. “There was never any offer for a fight with Bo Nickal,” Covington said, pushing back on the claim that he declined a proposed contest.
This public disagreement has led to a clear point of contention. As of now, the UFC has not commented on whether an official offer was made to Covington for the card, leaving the situation unresolved.
Covington’s absence is notable, especially given his established identity as one of MMA’s most outspoken and politically aligned athletes. In past years, Covington wore “MAGA” hats at weigh-ins and repeatedly praised Trump, culminating in several high-profile visits to the White House. For some, his exclusion from a marquee UFC event on the South Lawn is surprising given these public ties.
With Freedom 250 designed as both a national celebration and a showcase for the UFC’s global reach, the booking decisions have come under heightened scrutiny. The card is set to draw significant attention, not just for its location and headlining bouts, but for what it represents in both sports and American culture.
For Covington, the White House stage was the type of platform he had openly pursued during his career. His remarks show clear frustration at being left off the card, regardless of whether this was due to the promotion’s matchmaking or failed negotiations behind the scenes.
Nickal, for his part, has used the dispute to keep his name in the public conversation as he continues his climb up the middleweight division. The back-and-forth with Covington has added to his growing profile, and the possibility of a matchup remains should situations change in the future.
At present, the UFC remains on course with its plans for Freedom 250. The card, headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, will move forward on one of the most unique stages in mixed martial arts history. While Covington’s public criticism and the dispute over a potential Nickal matchup have fueled debate, the event’s historic context stands as the UFC’s latest move into the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
