Colby Covington (17-5) says he isn’t fully retired from MMA, framing his current run in Real American Freestyle wrestling as a break rather than an exit from the UFC.
“I’m technically retired, technically, but that was just the red proverbial tape I needed to get by so I could get the biggest matchups in RAF. Everybody knows my first love and passion was always wrestling. I wasn’t getting any fights in the UFC. They weren’t really offering me the fights that I want. I didn’t get on the White House card. I wouldn’t say I’m fully retired. I would just say that we’re on a temporary break as I pursue my interest and first love and passion for wrestling at the RAF,” Covington
Covington left the UFC following a loss to Joaquin Buckley in 2024 and is now 4-0 in RAF, recently winning the promotion’s inaugural cruiserweight crossover title over Arman Tsarukyan. He says he’s open to a UFC return but only for major fights.
“Yeah, how could I not be at peace? I reached the mountaintop. Not a lot of people are ever going to win a world title in the UFC. I reached the mountaintop. I did it all. At what point do you need to walk away? I’m willing to entertain big and huge offers from the UFC and big fights. But if not, you know, it’s OK. I’m at peace,” Covington