Colby
Covington isn’t closing the door on an
Ultimate Fighting Championship return.
The former UFC title challenger exited the promotion after his
defeat to Joaquin
Buckley in 2024. He now says the decision was taken so he could
pursue opportunities outside the UFC in wrestling, but remains open
to returning to mixed martial arts.
Advertisement
Colby Covington says big UFC fights could bring him back to
MMA
Covington is 4-0 under the Real American Freestyle banner and
recently captured the promotion’s inaugural cruiserweight crossover
championship with a victory over Arman
Tsarukyan. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, he said an
MMA return is possible after previously disagreeing with the UFC on
certain matchups and his omission from
UFC Freedom 250.
“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,” Covington said. “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.”
Irrespective of whether an Octagon return comes to fruition,
Covington is content with his career and accomplishments. “Chaos”
added that unless he’s involved in big fights, returning to MMA
doesn’t appeal to him.
“Yeah, how could I not be at peace? I reached the mountaintop,”
Covington added. “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.”