Colby Covington is preparing for his UFC return, and he’s already naming three potential opponents. He expressed his desire to return early in the new year and expects to be more active in 2026.
Covington last fought Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa last December. He lost by TKO in the third round due to a doctor’s stoppage. Early in the fight, he suffered a cut above his eye early in the fight.
Throughout the fight, the blood was becoming an issue for Covington and affecting his vision. The cage-side doctor was eventually called into the octagon and waved the fight off.
That fight was memorable for more than the outcome. Covington used ‘Real American’ for his walk out song and was accompanied to the octagon by WWE legend Hulk Hogan. Chael Sonnen, who was unveiled as his head coach during the ceremonial weigh-ins, was also in his corner.
During a recent interview with The Schmo, Covington revealed that he has been in active conversations with the UFC about his return.
“I’d like to fight in January [or] February,” Covington said. “We’ve been talking, so hopefully they can put an opponent together that makes sense for the company.”
Covington added that he is interested in facing an established fighter with name recognition.
“Some guys like Gilbert Burns makes sense, Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, [Nate] Diaz is always fun,” Covington said. “Maybe Nate comes back, you never know. I just want big fights and guys that are legends of the game.”
Colby Covington Plans to Be Active in 2026
Colby Covington also outlined his plans for the first half of 2026 and is expecting to be more active. He hopes to return to the octagon in January or February and fight again at the White House in June.
If his plan succeeds, Covington would fight twice in the first half of the year. That would mark his most active period since 2019, when he faced Robbie Lawler and Kamaru Usman.
Covington also revealed that he already reached out to President Donald Trump for assistance in getting him added to the White House card.
“I was talking to [President] Trump the other day at Mar-a-Lago,” Covington told The Schmo. “I said, ‘Hey, can you put in a word to Dana [White]?’ So, I know uncle Dana is going to be having a earful hopefully from Trump. And hopefully they’ll let me on [the White House card].”
Covington Explains Importance of UFC’s White House event
Colby Covington spoke about the significance of the UFC hosting an event at the White House in June. Several fighters have already made it known they want to be included. However, Dana White said that the fights won’t be booked until February.
Covington emphasized the national pride involved in competing at the White House. He believes the event will highlight the sport on a grand scale. Being a part of that could elevate both his career and personal brand for when his career is over.
“I want to represent America on the biggest stage. It’s going to be the biggest event in the history of any sporting event,” Covington told The Schmo. “I’m hoping that Hunter Campbell and Dana White bless me and let me fight on that card.”
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