UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal has doubled down on his call for a fight against Colby Covington. Nickal wants the clash to happen later this year, specifically targeting the proposed UFC White House card in June. The tension between these two fighters has been building steadily over recent weeks.
Nickal's Persistent Push for the Fight
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Bo Nickal strongly reiterated his desire to face Colby Covington. He expressed confidence that he would dominate the former interim welterweight champion inside the octagon. Nickal made bold claims about breaking Covington and potentially ending his career.
Accusations and Challenges
Nickal suggested Covington would never agree to wrestle with him directly. He accused Covington of avoiding real competition and questioned his wrestling background. According to Nickal, Covington was never truly elite in the sport of wrestling.
The young fighter also addressed rumors about Covington possibly moving up to middleweight. Nickal stated that if Covington truly plans to change divisions, then facing him should not present any problem. He positioned himself as an easy matchup to accept and promised to embarrass Covington on a global stage.
Covington's Firm Rejection
Colby Covington has shown absolutely no interest in entertaining Nickal's challenge. Speaking after his wrestling appearance at RAF05, Covington completely dismissed Nickal's callout. He mocked the middleweight prospect by labeling him a quitter.
Specific Accusations from Covington
Covington accused Nickal of pulling out of past fights, including a bout against Yoel Romero. He suggested Nickal also quit during his most recent UFC fight. The former interim champion even addressed his earlier criticism of Reinier de Ridder, admitting he was wrong to call him a kickboxer.
Covington clarified that de Ridder is actually a grappler. He then used this point to argue that a fellow grappler managed to force Nickal to quit inside the octagon. Based on this assessment, Covington stated he has no interest in fighting someone he believes gives up under pressure.
The Background of Their Rivalry
The tension between Nickal and Covington began heating up after Covington publicly criticized Nickal. This happened ahead of Nickal's freestyle wrestling match against Luke Rockhold at RAF05. Although many fans expressed excitement about the potential fight, Covington quickly shut down the idea.
Despite Covington's rejection, Nickal has refused to back away. He continues pushing for the matchup, believing it would provide the perfect stage to settle their growing feud. The proposed UFC White House card in June remains Nickal's target for this potential showdown.
What Happens Next?
For now, the situation remains at a standoff. Nickal continues his campaign for the fight while Covington maintains his disinterest. It will be interesting to see whether the UFC organization steps in to potentially make this bout happen. The proposed White House card could provide a dramatic backdrop for their clash if it ever materializes.
The contrasting positions create an intriguing dynamic in the MMA world. Nickal represents the hungry newcomer seeking to make his mark against established names. Covington embodies the veteran who sees little to gain from such a matchup. Their verbal exchanges have certainly captured attention, even if the physical confrontation remains uncertain.
