Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) started the beef when he took aim at Nickal<\/a> during the RAF 5 press conference, where both athletes were scheduled to compete against their respective opponents. Covington claimed Nickal is killing the sport of wrestling with his lack of personality.<\/p>\n With both fighters under the UFC banner, Nickal (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) says why not handle things in the octagon \u2013 especially after Covington seriously contemplated a move up to middleweight<\/a>. But after former interim welterweight champion Covington turned his attention to popular lightweight Paddy Pimblett<\/a>, Nickal took umbrage<\/a> with that.<\/p>\n “Colby talks crap about me the n says he wants to move to 185. I say okay let\u2019s fight at the White House. Now he\u2019s trying to run away. What a wimp. Man up and take your beating @ColbyCovMMA.”<\/p>\n After defeating Luke Rockhold in his wrestling match at RAF 5, Covington said he has no interest in competing against Nickal<\/a> on the mats or in the octagon. Covington hasn’t fought since a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024<\/a>. Meanwhile, Nickal rebounded from his first octagon loss to Reinier de Ridder with a head kick knockout of Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322<\/a>.<\/p>\n Justin Gaethje expects Ilia Topuria as White House headliner: ‘What else?’<\/a> Jon Jones: Arthritis won’t prevent me from competing at White House<\/a> Michael Chandler confident in UFC White House spot, eyes BMF title<\/a> Marc Ratner: UFC may self-regulate White House card due to ‘federal land’<\/a> Colby Covington rips ‘amateur’ Paddy Pimblett, makes White House callout<\/a> White seems to shut down McGregor-Masvidal UFC White House rumors<\/a> Stephen Thompson: UFC White House card would be ‘prime time’ to retire<\/a> Chael Sonnen: UFC wants Conor McGregor vs. ‘a real guy’ at White House<\/a>![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/86250530007-special-report-with-bret-baier-6-30-08-pm-20250919.jpg\")