Bo Nickal said he wants to face Colby Covington on the upcoming UFC White House card in June, but acknowledged that securing Covington’s signature on a bout agreement could be the major challenge to making the matchup a reality.

Nickal, a three-time NCAA wrestling champion out of Penn State and rising UFC middleweight, has publicly stated his interest in competing on the high-profile card. Covington, a former interim UFC welterweight champion, has previously suggested a potential move up in weight, making the proposed bout notable if it comes together.

“It would be a great honour to be able to compete on that card,” Nickal said, according to MMA Fighting, adding that a fight with Covington “makes so much sense” given recent interactions between the two fighters and Covington’s comments about moving to middleweight.

Nickal said tensions increased following a verbal exchange at a Real American Freestyle event and described the matchup as more personal than his previous contests. “For me, every single guy I’ve competed against up until this point in MMA, I haven’t really had motivation to beat that person specifically… This one is definitely a little more personal,” he said.

Despite his interest, Nickal said the “biggest obstacle is getting him to agree to it,” suggesting Covington may be hesitant to accept the fight when considering the potential risks and competitive dynamics.

The UFC White House card, scheduled for June, has been promoted as a landmark event, with bout discussions ongoing. It remains unclear how the card will ultimately take shape or whether a fight between Nickal and Covington will be booked.

Nickal has quickly established himself as a top prospect at middleweight since joining the UFC, while Covington has been one of the promotion’s most recognisable figures, competing in multiple title fights and remaining active in discussions surrounding future matchups. However, the 37-year-old is winless in the Octagon dating back to this last victory against Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.