{"id":680124,"date":"2026-05-19T05:17:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T05:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/680124\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T05:17:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T05:17:13","slug":"multiple-time-ufc-title-challenger-colby-covington-makes-shocking-ufc-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/680124\/","title":{"rendered":"Multiple-Time UFC Title Challenger Colby Covington Makes Shocking UFC Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former UFC Interim Welterweight Champion Colby Covington <\/a>has officially retired from MMA after being inactive since Dec. 2024.<\/p>\n

Covington\u2019s decision to walk away from the promotion that produced two of the division\u2019s biggest rivalries in Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman was confirmed by ESPN\u2019s Brett Okamoto on Monday <\/a>after Covington had voiced displeasure toward UFC brass after not finding a worthy opponent to come back and fight.<\/p>\n

At press time, Covington has yet to publicly share his retirement decision. Covington is set to wrestle former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman next Saturday at RAF 09 in Texas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colby Covington Exits UFC After Inactivity\"Colby<\/p>\n

Dec 14, 2024; Tampa, Florida, UNITED STATES; Colby Covington (red gloves) fights Joaquin Buckley (blue gloves) at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Covington\u00a0had previously used RAF as a vehicle to remain active in combat sports while awaiting his next Octagon appearance. Barring a change of heart, it appears that the decision to leave the UFC has become a firm, final call.<\/p>\n

Covington’s frustration began to boil over following the UFC Freedom 250 event’s official confirmation that left him off the seven-fight card altogether.<\/p>\n

“He had other plans,” Covington told Ariel Helwani,<\/a> referencing CBO Hunter Campbell. “He didn’t have any plans for me on the White House. He said the fight card was booked and there was no availability. There was only a few slots open, and they were all booked. So I was a little frustrated, and I spoke out of emotions, and I’m mad at myself because of that, but I love the UFC.”<\/p>\n

For Covington, after some self-reflection, what mattered to him was what he wanted to do with his career and not what others saw fit.<\/a><\/p>\n

UFC Loses Out On Colby Covington As Big Draw At 170\"UFC<\/p>\n

Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LL<\/p>\n

“I just want meaningful fights that add to my legacy,” Covington said. “If it doesn’t add to my legacy, then what’s the point? Am I just going to fight for money now? It’s not about money to me. I got in this sport, like every wrestler does, because you do it for the glory. You don’t do it for the money.”<\/p>\n

Covington ended his UFC career 12-5<\/a>, which began in 2014. Covington’s final UFC win came in a grudge match against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272 in March 2022, dropping his next two fights after that.<\/p>\n

This included his third and final crack at UFC welterweight gold against Edwards at UFC 296 in Dec. 2023, as he suffered a unanimous decision loss after yet another heated build-up, just like his two fights with Usman.<\/p>\n

For now, it remains to be seen how Covington’s next chapter unfolds.<\/p>\n

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