Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington delivered a commanding performance at Real American Freestyle 05, easily defeating former UFC champion Luke Rockhold. This dominant victory has not only boosted his confidence but also ignited a fresh wave of controversy, particularly around a public callout from rising star Bo Nickal.
One-Sided Domination at RAF 05
The match was controlled by Covington from the opening bell. Leveraging his elite wrestling pedigree as a former All-American from Oregon State, Covington imposed his will on Rockhold. By the time the second period concluded, he had built an insurmountable 12-0 lead, forcing the referee to stop the contest by technical fall. This decisive win reinforced Covington's firm belief that he deserves a spot on the sport's biggest stages.
Covington Mocks and Dismisses Bo Nickal
The post-fight spotlight quickly shifted from the victory itself to a brewing feud. Prior to the event, both Covington and Rockhold had publicly questioned Bo Nickal's mixed martial arts credentials. Nickal responded heatedly on social media platform X, directly challenging Covington to a fight at the proposed historic UFC White House event.
At the post-fight press conference, Covington launched a harsh verbal assault on Nickal. He labeled the prospect as a quitter who backs out of fights under pressure, referencing Nickal's recent knockout loss to grappler Reinier de Ridder. "The fact that a grappler made him quit tells you everything you need to know," Covington stated sarcastically. He firmly shut down the challenge, stating he has no interest in facing fighters he deems unreliable and disloyal to promotions.
Covington added that Nickal would have to wait his turn, as many other fighters are eager to face him in the Real American Freestyle circuit. He emphasized his preference for dependable opponents.
Eyes Still on the UFC White House Card
Despite rejecting Nickal, Colby Covington's ambition to compete on the potential UFC card at the White House remains undimmed. He views his appearances in Real American Freestyle as a key part of his training regimen. In an interview with FOX News before RAF 05, Covington revealed his strategy is to use these freestyle bouts as preparation for a major return.
He expressed hope that this path will secure him a spot on the historic card rumored for June, potentially on the South Lawn, with former President Donald Trump in attendance. UFC CEO Dana White is expected to begin finalizing the fight card for the event by February, with several big-name fighters already showing interest.
Covington's dominant win and his calculated rejection of a rising contender have set the stage for an intriguing few months as the combat sports world awaits the finalization of the unprecedented UFC White House event.
