Colby Covington will be returning to competition, but it will not be in the UFC octagon. Instead, the former interim welterweight champion will face Dillon Danis in a wrestling match at RAF 7. The event is scheduled to take place at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, on Mar. 28.
Covington vs. Danis will serve as the co-main event, while the rematch between Georgio Poullas and UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan headlines the card.
Covington expressed his desire to compete at the White House since the announcement last year. However, he was not included in the promotion’s plans for UFC Freedom 250.
RAF 7 will mark ‘Chaos’ second wrestling match for the promotion. He earned a dominant victory over former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in January.
Danis, meanwhile, makes his RAF debut after last competing for Misfits Boxing. He built his name in Jiu Jitsu, so ‘Chaos’ may have the advantage coming from a wrestling background.
Covington and Danis are no strangers to controversy and getting under their opponents’ skin, so the press conference could be intriguing.
Colby Covington takes on Dillon Danis MAR 28 in Tampa.
Tickets in bio. Watch exclusively on @foxnation
Why is Colby Covington Not Fighting at UFC Freedom 250?
Colby Covington not being featured at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House is surprising, considering his relationship with the administration. However, there were plans for him to compete in a middleweight bout against Bo Nickal.
According to Nickal, the promotion offered Covington the fight after their exchange at the RAF 5 press conference. Nickal said he was optimistic about the fight materializing.
Covington has spent the majority of his career competing at 170 pounds, so he would have been required to move up to 185 pounds. Ultimately, ‘Chaos’ turned it down, which resulted in Nickal voicing his frustration.
“[Covington] said that he wanted to move up to middleweight and fight at 185 [pounds]. I was like, ‘Wow, this is perfect. Everything is lining up and let’s do it.’ And so, I obviously asked for him and the UFC tried to make the fight,” Nickal told The Ariel Helwani Show. “I know that they talked to him extensively. Long story short, he just wouldn’t do it.”
Nickal then claimed that the UFC offered Covington an ultimatum if he wanted to compete at the White House. Instead, he will face Kyle Daukaus at the event.
“I think [the UFC] even told him, ‘Hey, if you want to be on this card, you have to fight Bo.’ And he said no,” Nickal said. “He would rather be a coward and not fight me then be on the White House card, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think that says pretty much everything about the guy.”
Covington Was in Negotiations for UFC Freedom 250 Event
Covington revealed that he was in negotiations to compete at UFC Freedom 250. Last month, he expressed interest in facing Paddy Pimblett at the White House but did not mention Nickal.
That was not well received by Nickal, who took aim at the former interim welterweight champion. After a clip of ‘Chaos’ remarks circulated on social media, Nickal reposted it along with a jibe at him.
“Colby talks crap about me then he says he wants to move up to 185 [pounds]. I say okay, let’s fight at the White House. Now he’s trying to run away,” Nickal wrote on X. “What a wimp. Man up and take your beating @ColbyCovMMA.”
Colby Covington’s Unexpected Next Bout Gets Announced