Colby Covington has named Paddy Pimblett as his ‘dream opponent’ for a fight at UFC White House.
Covington hasn’t fought since losing to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa in December 2024, but has insisted he is ready to make a return to action.
The 37-year-old from California has made it clear that he would love to feature on the promotion’s White House event next year, which was made official by UFC CEO White in August.
Liverpool’s Pimblett, meanwhile, has shot to superstardom in White’s promotion over the last four years, winning all seven of his UFC bouts since his September 2021 debut.
‘The Baddy’ has been linked to fight UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in the last few months, due to the pair’s bitter rivalry that dates back many years.
That potential headliner was thrown in jeopardy last week when Topuria’s manager seemingly ‘leaked’ Topuria’s next fight against No. 5-ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje.
Pimblett is confident about meeting Topuria in the octagon next, but may need one more convincing victory to earn his title shot.
While a move up to welterweight to fight Covington seems unlikely, it’s one Covington has asked for.
Colby Covington calls for Paddy Pimblett fight
“The Paddy Pimblett fight super interests me,” Covington told Helen Yee Sports when asked who in particular he would like to fight on his comeback.
“Because in Miami, he was talking s**t, running his mouth backstage. I wasn’t even looking at him or talking to him, and he wanted to start some s***.
“He said in an interview the other day, his doctor told him he had liver failure for cutting to 155lbs.
“Dude, come up a weight class, come up to 170lbs, why are you being a weight bully, Paddy.
Pimblett is the No. 7-ranked UFC lightweight and eyeing up his first title shotGetty Covington has called for the Liverpudlian to move up to welterweight and fight him at the White HouseGetty“You are a bum, you are a gimmick. Your English accent and your little bowl cut, that’s the only reason people know you. So, let’s get it going, Paddy.”
Covington was involved in a heated exchange with Pimblett after the latter’s win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April.
Pimblett had dominated Chandler in the Miami co-main event on the night, before his run-in with the American during a post-fight interview backstage.
Covington criticised Pimblett for ‘fighting scrubs,’ before telling the Liverpudlian he would soon get ‘fraud checked.’
Pimblett responded by telling the 37-year-old that he would punch his face in, calling him ‘Mr Irrelevant.’
Covington has since admitted that he would love nothing more than to meet Pimblett next year at the UFC’s blockbuster White House event.
Pimblett told Covington he would punch his face in after UFC 314ESPN MMAPaddy Pimblett's UFC Career
Undefeated
Def. Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April 2025 via third-round TKO Def. Bobby Green at UFC 304 in July 2024 via first-round submission Def. Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December 2023 via unanimous decision Def. Jared Gordon at UFC 287 in December 2022 via unanimous decision Def. Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs Aspinall in July 2022 via second-round submission Def. Kazula Vargas at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs Aspinall in March 2022 via first-round submission Def. Luigi Vendramini at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Till in September 2021 via first-round TKO“There’s nothing more that I want for my career and everything I’ve worked for to fight at the White House,” the Californian added.
“I feel like I deserve to fight there, but obviously, it’s up to the UFC and what they decide.
“Please, Dana, let me fight on the White House card. I know [Donald] Trump asked you to let me on the White House card, please, Dana, please.
[My] dream opponent, probably Paddy Pimblett. I think you want to go with someone who’s not from the US.
“I want to fight an international fighter, so Paddy Pimblett makes the most sense.”
UFC White House is set to take place on July 4, 2026, after US President Trump said he wanted to host White’s promotion to celebrate 250 years of American Independence.
Paddy Pimblett explains why he hates Colby Covington
Pimblett has previously made his feelings clear on the outspoken, controversial Covington.
Speaking to James English in 2024, the 30-year-old explained why he hates Covington for putting on a persona.
“I hate Colby Covington,” Pimblett explained.
“I hope he gets hit by a bus. He is just proper annoying. He’s always had these ghost writers and doesn’t even come up with all the stuff he comes out with.
“It’s all an act, isn’t it? It’s all an act. Everything he does behind the cameras, he’s not like that, and that just infuriates me.”
Covington received widespread criticism ahead of his UFC 296 title bout with Leon Edwards in 2023.
The pair came face-to-face at a Las Vegas press conference before their main event, and Covington was slammed when he joked about Edwards’ deceased father being in ‘hell’.
Edwards wound up battering Covington in their UFC welterweight bout at UFC 296, claiming a convincing unanimous decision after five rounds.
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