TLDR
- Dana White publicly questioned why Colby Covington remains in the welterweight top 15 rankings
- Covington responded by telling the UFC to remove him from rankings, saying he doesn’t care about them
- The fighter continues to call himself ‘Donald Trump’s favorite fighter’ and ‘America’s champion’
- Covington says he is only interested in pursuing high-profile money fights going forward
- His recent record has drawn criticism as his competitive relevance is being questioned
Sources: MMA Fighting | MMA Fighting
UFC welterweight Colby Covington has fired back at Dana White after the UFC CEO publicly questioned his place in the division’s top 15 rankings. Covington’s response was direct: remove him from the rankings entirely.
The fighter made clear he has no interest in his official ranking position. Instead, Covington said he is focused on securing big money fights.
Self-Styled Titles and Trump Connection
During his response to White’s criticism, Covington doubled down on the persona that has defined his career. He repeatedly referred to himself as “Donald Trump’s favorite fighter” and “America’s champion.”
I know a guy Americas champ, the man every guy dreams, Donald trumps favourite fighter she can get the honour of dating the great Colby covington if he even considers her pic.twitter.com/gvMpFd7ruX
— anthony lion heart smiths biggest fan (@Lionsmithfan) September 22, 2023
Covington also claimed to be a world champion, despite never having held an official UFC title. His branding strategy centers heavily on his political alignment with Trump.
The fighter has built his public image around this Trump connection for years. He uses it to generate attention and maintain relevance in media appearances.
Recent Record Under Scrutiny
White’s comments about Covington’s ranking came as questions mount about the fighter’s competitive standing. His recent fight record has drawn criticism from fans and analysts.
Covington’s competitive relevance has become a topic of debate within the UFC community. Some observers argue his ranking no longer reflects his actual position in the welterweight division.
Despite these concerns, Covington continues to leverage his political heel persona to drive attention. His strategy focuses on staying in the spotlight through controversy rather than recent wins.
The UFC’s relationship with Trump adds another layer to this situation. President Trump and Dana White have a long-standing friendship that dates back decades.
This connection recently resulted in plans for UFC White House, a historic event set for June 14, 2026. The event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The date also coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday. White has described it as the most ambitious card in UFC history, potentially featuring eight or nine title fights.
Press conferences and weigh-ins will take place at the Lincoln Memorial in the days leading up to the event. Paramount+ will stream the main card in the United States as part of a $7.7 billion broadcast deal.
Covington’s claim to be Trump’s favorite fighter has not been independently verified by the President. However, the fighter has been photographed with Trump on multiple occasions over the years.
The welterweight’s strategy of prioritizing money fights over rankings represents a shift in how some UFC fighters approach their careers. Traditional paths to championship opportunities have relied on climbing the official rankings.
Covington’s public dismissal of the ranking system challenges that conventional approach. He argues that his ability to generate attention and pay-per-view interest matters more than his numerical position.
White’s decision to publicly question Covington’s ranking suggests tension between the UFC’s management and the outspoken fighter. The exchange has sparked debate about how fighters should be ranked and what criteria matter most.
Covington maintains he is focused on fights that will generate the most revenue for himself. He has made clear that official rankings will not guide his career decisions moving forward.
