UFC Star Colby Covington Takes on WSOP Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller

UFC veteran Colby Covington has added another arena to his combat sports resume: the poker felt. The mixed martial artist, known for his 17-5 UFC record, recently competed in the $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha event at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

Covington, who has over $420,000 in recorded live poker tournament cashes, is no stranger to Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). He told PokerNews during a break that he prefers PLO due to its higher variance, describing it as a “gambler’s game” that can level the playing field against seasoned No-Limit Hold’em pros.

“PLO’s a lot bigger variance, so I like it because I’m a gambler and it’s more of a gambler’s game so, you know, it takes away some of the edge all these good pros in hold’em, because they can just sit there and wait for aces all day, and they’re just very tight,” Covington explained. “So, PLO is a lot funner.”

New Wrestling Ventures

Beyond the poker tables, Covington is also actively involved in the Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling promotion. He currently holds a 3-0 record in RAF and is preparing for a highly anticipated match against fellow UFC star Arman Tsarukyan on July 18 in Milwaukee.

Covington’s entry into RAF was facilitated by Noah Schwartz, a fellow Florida native and a poker player with over $7 million in live tournament cashes. Schwartz, along with Chad Bronstein, the owner and CEO of RAF, enlisted Covington’s services.

“Yeah, so it’s actually super bizarre that the one person I got sat next to is the guy that got me into RAF, Noah Schwartz,” Covington said. “The reason I’m in RAF today is because my boy Noah Schwartz and the owner and CEO of Real American Freestyle, his name is Chad Bronstein. So, you know, they enlisted my services, and I’m just very grateful to be competing in such a high-level league — the first really of its kind.”

The RAF promotion aims to provide a significant platform for wrestling, a sport Covington described as one of the oldest in the world. The promotion plans to tour various cities, with upcoming events scheduled in Miami and a return to Las Vegas in October.

Reflections on UFC at the White House

Covington also shared his thoughts on the recent UFC event held at the White House on June 14, an event he described as an “amazing production.” He lauded UFC’s ability to stage high-level fights in unique locations.

“UFC is, you know, top of the class for putting on the biggest fights in the world, you know, the most high-level fights and just crazy places. Whoever would have thought there’d be a UFC on the South Lawn with the President of the United States watching? So, you know, it was great. They made history,” Covington stated.

However, Covington expressed skepticism about the likelihood of another White House event due to the significant production costs involved. He believes the return on investment might not have been justifiable for the UFC.

“I think the ROI didn’t make sense for the UFC, so I don’t see them doing it again. But, that’s what makes it so special and makes it really history, because it’s a one-off,” he commented.

Future Poker Plans

As of the time of the report, Covington maintained a respectable stack in the WSOP PLO High Roller. Regardless of his performance in this event, he indicated plans to enter the $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller, scheduled to begin on June 19, before focusing on his upcoming wrestling match.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Event | 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha |
| Participant | Colby Covington, UFC veteran and mixed martial artist |
| Covington’s Poker Experience | Over $420,000 in recorded live tournament cashes, preference for PLO |
| Other Ventures | Real American Freestyle (RAF) wrestling promotion, upcoming match vs. Arman Tsarukyan |
| White House UFC Event | Covington viewed it as historic but unlikely to be repeated due to costs |

This development matters to PlayVideoPoker readers as it highlights the crossover appeal of poker, particularly variants like Pot-Limit Omaha, among athletes from other high-profile sports. It provides a glimpse into the poker pursuits of a well-known public figure and touches on the strategic considerations that draw non-traditional players to the game.

Source: PokerNews – https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/06/colby-covington-plays-wsop-high-roller-51568.htm

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