Overview
- Fresh off a 12–0 technical fall over Luke Rockhold at RAF 5, Covington said his next UFC bout could be at 185 pounds and he cited Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland as preferred opponents.
- Nickal withdrew from RAF 5 when Yoel Romero weighed in seven pounds over their 205-pound limit and he is now calling to face Covington in June.
- Covington rejected Nickal’s challenge, calling him a “quitter” and saying he wants reliable competitors for future RAF appearances.
- RAF’s weigh-in procedures drew scrutiny after Josh Thomson said the promotion switched to same-day weigh-ins late in the week; Romero was stripped, lost 10–0 to Stephen Buchanan, and Nickal was recognized as RAF light heavyweight champion.
- UFC president Dana White said it was “a great point” to question Covington’s continued welterweight ranking given his limited activity and recent losses.