Colby Covington gives the one reason why Conor McGregor won’t accept UFC White House fight

Colby Covington believes he’s too tough a matchup for Conor McGregor’s return fight.

McGregor is expected to end his five-year layoff from the sport at the UFC’s historic White House card, which is set to take place on June 14 — Donald Trump’s birthday.

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Covington, too, is hopeful of returning for the American Independence celebratory event, having named Paddy Pimblett as his ideal opponent for the card.

On Tuesday, UFC president Dana White confirmed fights for the White House will be made by this weekend, although there is no reason to suggest any form of announcement.

White had called ‘BS’ to a social media post that suggested McGregor’s comeback opponent was confirmed to be Covington at the White House.

Although Covington admitted he would love nothing more than to share the Octagon with McGregor, he doesn’t believe the Irishman would accept the fight.

Colby Covington: Conor McGregor won’t be looking for someone like me

“I don’t know, Conor kind of calls his shots,” Covington told talkSPORT.com when asked about potentially fighting McGregor at the White House.

“He gets to kind of pick who he wants, and I don’t know if he wants to fight a guy like me.

“I’m a tough matchup — I’m probably the toughest, most well-rounded fighter in the UFC.

“So, I think he may be looking for a striker or maybe an older guy. I don’t think he’s gonna look for someone like me, but I would love the opportunity if it ever presents itself. 

“I also have a lot of respect for Conor, and he’s doing amazing things — we’ll see if he actually comes back or not.”

Despite not believing the former two-division UFC champion would want to fight him, Covington still holds the utmost respect for McGregor.

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“It would be a great fight, it would be an exciting fight for the fans,” Covington, 37, added.

“I think the press conference would be worth the price of a mission alone because you know there’s no one better on a mic than Conor and I.

“I would love the opportunity to share the stage with Conor. I respect a lot of what he’s been able to accomplish in his career.

“He’s really transcended the sport as well. He’s brought, you know, people to the sport that never followed the sport before, but they followed it because they want to hear Conor McGregor’s trash talk.

“So yeah, I would love that fight.”

Whether McGregor actually returns or not is a topic the entire MMA world has been debating since the 37-year-old expressed his desire to fight at the White House.

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He has returned to regular training at Straight Blast Gym (SBG) Ireland, alongside head coach John Kavanagh, and insists he’s all-in on making a grand comeback.

However, Covington has questioned whether McGregor will actually have the motivation ‘to get up in the morning and train’ due to the hundreds of millions he’s made in his career.

“What’s the motivation to get locked in that cage and have that hungry dog in you to kill another man?” Covington concluded.

“I don’t know how realistic it is.”

McGregor hasn’t fought since a second defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021.

He previously mentioned Michael Chandler would be his opponent for his return fight, but White has already dismissed the idea of booking that matchup.

Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz are other names circling the MMA rumour mill as suitable opponents for McGregor’s comeback.