Ali Akbar Rosady
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has officially notified the promotion of his decision to retire from active competition, marking the conclusion of a contentious and high-profile career. UFC officials confirmed the development to SportsBreakNews.com on Monday, May 18, 2026. The organization’s athlete database has already updated Covington’s status to ‘retired,’ signifying an immediate departure from the active roster. This announcement comes as a notable turn for the 38-year-old fighter, particularly given recent indications of his desire to remain engaged in high-profile bouts.
Covington’s departure follows a career characterized by an aggressive fighting style, unyielding pressure, and a controversial persona that frequently generated significant attention, both positive and negative. Known as "Chaos," Covington cultivated an image designed to elicit strong reactions, often employing inflammatory rhetoric to promote his fights and draw eyeballs to the welterweight division. This approach, while divisive, undeniably elevated his profile and positioned him as a consistent contender.
Born on February 22, 1988, in Clovis, California, Covington established a formidable amateur wrestling pedigree before transitioning to mixed martial arts. He was a two-time Pac-10 Conference champion and an NCAA Division I All-American at Oregon State University, finishing seventh at 174 pounds in 2011. This wrestling background became the bedrock of his MMA style, emphasizing relentless takedowns, suffocating top control, and an unparalleled pace that often overwhelmed opponents over five rounds.
Covington made his professional MMA debut in 2012 and quickly amassed a perfect 5-0 record before signing with the UFC in 2014. His Octagon debut came at UFC Fight Night 55, where he secured a dominant submission victory over Wang Anying. He continued to build a strong record, demonstrating his wrestling dominance and rapidly improving striking. By 2017, he had established himself as a legitimate threat in the welterweight division, culminating in an impressive unanimous decision victory over Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119 in São Paulo, Brazil. Following this win, Covington famously referred to Brazil as a "dump" and its people as "filthy animals," a moment that ignited his "Chaos" persona and cemented his reputation as a provocateur.
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His ascent continued, leading to an interim welterweight title fight against former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 225 in June 2018. Covington secured a dominant unanimous decision victory, claiming the interim belt and solidifying his position as a top contender. This period also saw him embark on a notable winning streak, including victories over former champions Robbie Lawler (UFC on ESPN 5, 2019) and Tyron Woodley (UFC Fight Night 178, 2020), further enhancing his resume. His fight against Lawler set a record for the most significant strikes landed in a welterweight bout, highlighting his relentless offensive output.
Covington’s career was also defined by his high-stakes rivalries and three attempts to capture the undisputed UFC welterweight championship. His first opportunity came against Kamaru Usman at UFC 245 in December 2019, a highly anticipated clash that delivered a "Fight of the Year" contender. In a grueling, back-and-forth contest, Covington suffered a fifth-round technical knockout loss, a fight that saw both men sustain significant damage. He earned a rematch against Usman at UFC 268 in November 2021, another competitive bout where he ultimately fell short via unanimous decision. His final title challenge occurred in December 2023 against then-champion Leon Edwards at UFC 296, a fight he lost by unanimous decision after a performance that drew criticism for its perceived lack of urgency, particularly following an extended period of inactivity.
Covington’s last appearance in the Octagon was in December 2024, where he faced Joaquin Buckley. He suffered a third-round stoppage loss in that bout, marking a rare finish against him and his second consecutive defeat. This recent setback, combined with his previous title fight losses, had led to speculation regarding his future in the sport, particularly given his age and the rigorous demands of competing at an elite level in the welterweight division.
Throughout his UFC tenure, Covington amassed a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses, with 12 of those victories occurring within the UFC Octagon. His notable wins against established figures like Jorge Masvidal (UFC 272, 2022) – a deeply personal grudge match that captivated the MMA world – Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos, and Robbie Lawler underscore his capability against high-caliber competition.
The announcement of his retirement is considered surprising by some observers, particularly in light of his recent public statements. Covington had been campaigning for a prominent spot on a hypothetical "White House card" scheduled for June 14, 2026, indicating an ongoing desire to compete in major events. However, his recent activities suggest a pivot in his combat sports focus. He has been notably active on the wrestling mats, participating in events for "RAF" (Rules Are For Fools), a burgeoning grappling promotion. Earlier in 2026, he secured victories over former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and controversial grappler Dillon Danis. He is also scheduled to return to RAF on May 30, 2026, for a grappling match against another former UFC middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, in Texas. This shift towards high-profile grappling matches indicates a continued interest in competitive combat, albeit outside the demanding realm of professional mixed martial arts.
In addition to Covington’s departure, the UFC’s roster has seen the removal of two other notable fighters: Mayra Bueno Silva and Brad Riddell.
Mayra Bueno Silva, a bantamweight competitor, also departs the promotion with a professional record of 10 wins, 7 losses, and 1 draw. The Brazilian fighter’s recent career trajectory in the UFC has been challenging, as she concludes her tenure having gone winless in her last six fights. This streak includes a championship bout loss to Raquel Pennington for the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight title at UFC 297 in January 2024, which she lost via unanimous decision. Prior to that, she had a victory over Holly Holm at UFC on ESPN 49 in July 2023 that was later overturned to a no-contest due to a drug test failure. Her most recent appearance in April 2026 resulted in a decision defeat to Michelle Montague, further compounding her struggles in the division. Bueno Silva’s exit marks the end of a period where she struggled to find consistent success despite her aggressive style and powerful striking.
Brad Riddell, a lightweight known for his striking prowess and strong ties to New Zealand’s City Kickboxing gym, has also been removed from the roster. Riddell, whose professional record stands at 10 wins and 4 losses, experienced a difficult period in his UFC career. He lost three consecutive fights between 2021 and 2022, all by stoppage. These losses came against high-caliber opponents: a spinning wheel kick knockout against Rafael Fiziev at UFC on ESPN 31 in December 2021, a first-round submission to Jalin Turner at UFC 276 in July 2022, and a first-round submission to Renato Moicano at UFC 281 in November 2022. Riddell, nicknamed "Quake," was slated to make his return to the cage after more than a year away to face Thiago Moises in March 2024, but he ultimately withdrew from the card for undisclosed reasons. His removal suggests a potential end to his active MMA career, at least within the UFC.
The departures of Covington, Bueno Silva, and Riddell signify shifts within their respective divisions. While Bueno Silva and Riddell faced recent performance challenges, Covington’s retirement marks the exit of a prominent, albeit controversial, figure whose presence consistently added intrigue and high stakes to the welterweight landscape. His pivot to professional grappling suggests a continuation of his competitive drive in a different arena.
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