Colby Covington Retires From UFC, And Here's Why
Former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has officially retired from the UFC after being snubbed from the Freedom 250 card. Here's the full breakdown.
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) Getty Images 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.