Colby Covington has launched a scathing attack on the UFC, accusing the promotion of compelling fighters into disadvantageous matchups, sidelining them if they resist, and offering inadequate financial protection despite the inherent dangers of the sport. His recent comments stem from his exclusion from the upcoming White House fight card, a perceived snub that has seemingly brought long-standing frustrations to the surface.
White House Snub Ignites Controversy
Covington has famously aligned himself with Donald Trump, even bringing his interim welterweight belt to the Oval Office in 2018 and calling Trump his “hero.” When the historic UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House South Lawn was announced, Covington fully expected to be featured, stating he repeatedly sought to fight “anybody on God’s green Earth” just to compete before Trump.
However, the June 14 lineup features Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria as the main event, with six American fighters but no spot for Covington, despite his well-known loyalty to Trump and UFC president Dana White. He publicly criticized the White House card as “piss-poor at best,” alleging the promotion is alienating its core fanbase with an event that falls short of earlier promises of “six or seven” title fights.
Covington Alleges UFC Forces “Bad Fights” and Freezes Dissenters
During recent appearances, including on streamer N3on’s channel, Covington asserted that the UFC’s primary leverage lies in its control over matchmaking and fighter activity. He claims that when UFC executive Hunter Campbell presents a bout, fighters have minimal real input because refusing can lead to months of forced inactivity.
Covington described a system where athletes are “forced to take what they give you, even if it’s not a good move for your career, or they’ll ice you,” explaining that “You don’t get a choice… they will freeze you out if you don’t take their fights.” He cited lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan as an example of someone he believes is currently experiencing this dynamic, arguing that declining a matchup can result in prolonged periods without pay.
Over the years, numerous fighters have accused the promotion of using exclusive contracts and discretionary matchmaking to maintain control. The UFC has not issued a specific public response to Covington’s latest claims regarding “freezing” fighters and Hunter Campbell’s involvement. However, in past labor disputes, the organization has consistently maintained that its contracts are standard for elite sports and that fighters retain the right to refuse bouts, though doing so may delay their return to competition.
Colby Defends His Controversial Persona
Another significant part of Covington’s recent commentary involves his justification for adopting a polarizing, politically charged persona. He explained to N3on and other media outlets that many fans misunderstand his actions, clarifying that his trash talk and over-the-top “patriot” gimmick were strategic tools designed to generate interest in his fights and help him climb out of what he described as a low-pay tier within the promotion.
“They just don’t understand that I had to do this to sell my work and to get people to watch me fight, so the UFC would notice me and give me a better contract,” he stated, presenting his persona as a survival tactic on a crowded roster where quiet performers risk being overlooked. This explanation aligns with previous interviews where Covington claimed he was nearly cut despite winning, only securing his position after adopting a more vocal public approach.
Contracts, Risks, and “If You Die” Waivers
Covington also highlighted what he considers the grim legal realities of entering the Octagon. He alleged that shortly after weigh-ins, fighters are presented with documents explicitly stating that if they die in the cage the following night, their families cannot sue the UFC.
“First thing you do after you weigh in, you sign a contract that says, ‘Hey, if you die in the UFC octagon tomorrow, your family cannot sue us,’” Covington recounted on stream. While combat sports promotions typically rely on liability waivers, regulatory oversight, and insurance to manage risk, Covington’s account underscores how stark this language can feel for fighters already navigating weight cuts, medicals, and the immense mental pressure of a high-stakes fight.
No Royalties from UFC Video Game
Financially, Covington claimed that UFC fighters receive no royalties from the official UFC video game, despite their names, likenesses, and signature moves being crucial selling points. This mirrors past complaints from fighters under previous iterations of the EA Sports UFC franchise, who described receiving one-time licensing payments rather than ongoing revenue shares.
Covington presented the absence of royalties as an example of an economic structure where the promotion and its partners capture most of the long-term value from intellectual property, while fighters negotiate fight-by-fight purses without participating in these additional revenue streams. The UFC has historically defended its model by emphasizing guaranteed exposure, performance bonuses, and tiered contracts that improve with wins and rankings, but it has not detailed individual revenue splits for projects like video games.
White House Card: Islam vs. Topuria Dispute
Covington added a new layer to the White House card controversy by alleging that a superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria was initially planned for the event but fell apart due to financial disagreements. According to Covington, who “heard” this account, Makhachev priced himself out by demanding too much, causing the bout to collapse last minute after the UFC had already invested significantly in renting the White House venue.
This version conflicts with public statements from both fighters’ camps. Lightweight champion Makhachev has implied that Topuria’s team was pushing for more money, while Topuria and his team have asserted that Islam withdrew due to injury and financial demands, claiming they were eager to sign. The outcome is that Topuria is now scheduled to headline the White House card against interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, with Makhachev remaining inactive. Covington suggests that because the promotion is bearing the cost of staging the event on the South Lawn, it is less inclined to meet the asking prices of fighters with established drawing power.
Ongoing “Freeze-Out” and RAF Alternative
Beyond the White House card, Covington contends that the UFC has effectively stalled his career for over a year, with no scheduled fight and little clarity regarding his next move. He points to the promotion allegedly directing him towards a matchup with the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott rather than offering him a prominent spot, a move he views as a lateral step instead of a path back to title contention.
In the interim, Covington has turned to Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling events, including a planned appearance against Dillon Danis, to stay active and earn money while still under UFC contract. He contrasts what he perceives as more flexible treatment from RAF promoters with the restrictive control he attributes to the UFC, using this comparison to sharpen his critique of how the MMA industry’s market leader manages its roster.
In summary, Covington’s recent outburst blends personal frustration over missing the White House event with a broader critique of UFC contracts, matchmaking leverage, and revenue distribution. Whether fans perceive it as a genuine exposé or merely another act in his long-running public performance, the specific points he raised about fighter autonomy, legal risks, and financial arrangements will undoubtedly continue to fuel discussions about how the sport’s premier promotion treats its athletes.