Colby Covington, a former interim UFC welterweight champion, has officially concluded his career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Multiple media outlets confirmed the news, and his profile on the promotion’s athlete database now lists him as retired.
Covington’s last appearance in the octagon was in December 2024, where he suffered a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in the third round due to a doctor’s stoppage. Earlier this year, the fighter expressed a strong desire to compete on a potential White House card on June 14, but his name never appeared on the official bout list.
Rumors also circulated about Covington potentially moving up to middleweight to face Bo Nickal. However, Nickal publicly stated that Covington declined the matchup, an accusation that Covington refuted by claiming UFC official Hunter Campbell had suggested he face the winner of the Mike Malott vs. Gilbert Burns fight in Winnipeg. Following Malott’s victory, there have been no further updates regarding a potential fight for Covington.
The 38-year-old retires from the UFC with a professional record of 12 wins and 5 losses. Throughout his career, he secured notable victories against fighters such as Jorge Masvidal, Robbie Lawler, and Tyron Woodley.
Covington has been a vocal critic of fighter pay within the UFC, frequently voicing his concerns about the promotion underpaying its athletes. He has also been open about his periods of inactivity.
What’s Next for Colby Covington?
Outside of his UFC commitments, Covington has remained active in the realm of amateur wrestling, competing in events like Real American Freestyle (RAF). He has achieved wins against Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis and is scheduled to wrestle Chris Weidman at RAF 09 later this month.
With his departure from the UFC, it remains to be seen if Covington will continue to compete in other combat sports promotions. Organizations such as MVP, BKFC, and others might be interested in signing the charismatic fighter, known for his promotional skills and ability to generate fan attention, especially given his established reputation as a compelling “heel” character.
