Colby Covington: 'Not Fully Retired,' Open to UFC Return

Colby Covington says he is not fully retired from the UFC and would come back for the right offer, four months after he informed the promotion he was walking away from mixed martial arts.

Covington told MMA Junkie that ditching his UFC schedule was about clearing space for Real American Freestyle, the wrestling promotion where active UFC fighters are barred from competing against each other. Covington said his retirement was just the red tape he needed to get by so he could get the biggest matchups in RAF. He framed the move as a formality more than a farewell, not a walk away from fighting for good.

Why Covington Retired From the UFC in the First Place

Covington's exit from the UFC was about chasing wrestling glory, not fading skills. He said the main reason he retired was so he could aggressively pursue his wrestling career in Real American Freestyle, something he couldn't do as an active UFC fighter. Since jumping to RAF, he's gone unbeaten. Covington is 4-0 under RAF and recently claimed the inaugural RAF Cruiserweight Crossover Championship with a win over top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan, a result that has clearly emboldened him.

He's not shy about saying so. "You must not see what I'm doing in RAF. I'm smoking, dudes. I just beat the number one contender in lightweight and that was light work. I made it look easy," Covington said. As for his body holding up, he added he's still in his prime and still taking good care of his body and his brain, so he wouldn't say the door is fully closed.

What Would Bring Covington Back to the Octagon

Don't expect Covington to jump back in for just any fight. He said he's willing to entertain big and huge offers from the UFC and big fights, but if not, it's OK, he's at peace. He was also candid about why he stepped away when he did, pointing to missing out on the UFC's White House card as a sticking point. "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 really wanted to be on the White House card; I would have done anything to be on that," he said. And on the idea of fighting deep into his 40s, he's ruled it out entirely. "I was never going to be one of those guys that was going to fight in his 40s. It just wasn't going to happen. I've seen too many times guys come through our gym, and they fight late in age, and they get seriously hurt. That was never going to happen to me," Covington said.

Betting Angle

Covington isn't on any UFC board right now, so there's no live line to read, but his comments matter for anyone tracking the welterweight division. If a marquee opponent materializes, expect oddsmakers to treat him as a live betting name given his title pedigree and name value, not as a washed-up former contender making a token comeback. His insistence on a big fight over a tune-up suggests any return would come loaded with hype and public interest, the kind of matchup that tends to draw heavy two-way action rather than a lopsided line. Until the UFC makes an actual offer, this stays a storyline to watch rather than a market to bet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colby Covington retired from the UFC?

Colby Covington informed the UFC of his retirement in 2026, but he says he is not fully retired and would return if the promotion offers him the right fight.

Why did Colby Covington retire from the UFC?

Covington said he stepped away from the UFC mainly to pursue Real American Freestyle wrestling full time, since active UFC fighters cannot compete against each other in that promotion.

What has Colby Covington been doing since leaving the UFC?

Covington has gone 4-0 in Real American Freestyle, including a win over top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan to claim the promotion's inaugural Cruiserweight Crossover Championship.