LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Colby Covington of the United States looks on prior to a welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards of England during the UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Colby Covington has decided to retire from the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC has removed him from the active roster. There are a few reasons for Covington’s retirement, but a recent snub from the UFC Freedom 250 card appears to be the primary reason.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Fighter: Colby “Chaos” Covington
- Age: 38
- UFC Octagon Record: 12-5 across 17 appearances
- Overall Pro MMA Record: 17-5
- Last UFC Win: Jorge Masvidal, March 2022
- Last UFC Appearance: TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, December 14, 2024
- Career Peak: Interim welterweight champion, 2018
- Next Booking: Chris Weidman, Real American Freestyle, May 30, 2026
Why Did Colby Covington Retire From the UFC?
It’s no secret; Covington wanted to fight on the Freedom 250 card. He’s an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, and fighting on the card would have been an honor for the 38-year-old. That said, he is 38 years old. Covington hasn’t won a fight in four years and in his most recent defeats, he’s looked like a shadow of the cardio and wrestling machine that saw him become the interim champion at 170 pounds in 2018.
The UFC had already removed Covington from its official welterweight rankings in April, a clear signal that the promotion’s plans no longer included him. The Freedom 250 omission simply put the public stamp on what was already a strained relationship between fighter and promotion.
What Was Colby Covington’s UFC Record?
Covington’s overall MMA record is 17-5 with a 12-5 mark in the UFC. His final Octagon appearance came against Joaquin Buckley in the December 14, 2024 main event at UFC Tampa, which ended in a third-round doctor-stoppage TKO.
His last raised hand inside the Octagon came against Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. That four-plus-year drought, combined with the Buckley defeat, painted a clear picture of a fighter whose competitive window had closed.
What Did Colby Covington Accomplish in the UFC?
Besides becoming the interim champion, Covington re-invented himself as a trash-talking and controversial figure. Covington’s persona landed him in that polarizing space that can be money for fighters who know how to navigate. However, Covington always seemed to fall short of making himself the same level of star as Conor McGregor or even current middleweight champion, Sean Strickland.
His 2018 interim welterweight title win over Rafael dos Anjos was the peak of his competitive resume, and his two-fight rivalry with Kamaru Usman produced one of the best fights of 2019 at UFC 245. He also holds wins over Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, and Demian Maia, with three total cracks at undisputed welterweight gold.
What’s Next for Colby Covington After UFC Retirement?
Covington has already won two pure wrestling matches at Real American Freestyle. He has a future there. Covington has also expressed an interest in trying his hand at WWE.
His next booking is a freestyle wrestling match against former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman on May 30, 2026 at RAF, where he already holds wins over Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis. There’s also been speculation he could surface in Jake Paul’s MVP MMA promotion at some point if he wants the cage back.
