Colby Covington has officially ended his tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Reports from various media outlets confirm his departure, and his name is now listed as retired in the promotion’s athlete database. This comes after a period of frustration for the fighter due to a lack of activity in the octagon.
Covington’s last appearance in the cage was in December 2024, where he suffered a TKO loss in the third round against Joaquin Buckley due to a doctor’s stoppage. Earlier this year, the former interim welterweight champion expressed a strong desire to be part of a specific card, but his name was ultimately absent from the fight lineup.
Rumors had also circulated about a potential move to the middleweight division to face Bo Nickal. However, Nickal later claimed that Covington declined the fight. Covington himself stated that UFC official Hunter Campbell had suggested he face the winner of a bout between Mike Malott and Gilbert Burns. Despite Malott winning that fight, no further discussions regarding a potential matchup with Covington have materialized.
At 38 years old, Covington 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 vocal about his criticisms of the UFC’s fighter pay, frequently voicing his opinion that athletes are undercompensated. He has also openly discussed his prolonged periods of inactivity, which have been a source of concern for him.
Future Endeavors for Colby Covington
Outside of his UFC career, Covington has remained active in the realm of professional wrestling, competing in events like Real American Freestyle (RAF). He has achieved wins against Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis, and is scheduled to face Chris Weidman at RAF 09 later this month.
With his departure from the UFC, it remains to be seen if Covington intends to continue competing in combat sports. Promotions such as MVP and BKFC might express interest in signing a fighter known for his charismatic personality, his ability to generate fan attention through his “heel” persona, and his potential to remain a championship contender.