Colby Covington Announces Retirement From UFC, Exits Roster

Colby Covington, a former UFC interim welterweight champion known for his polarizing persona, has informed the promotion of his decision to retire, ending a professional fighting career that began in 2012. The announcement follows his removal from the UFC's active roster and months of public criticism from Covington regarding the promotion's matchmaking decisions.

Covington's career peaked in June 2018 when he defeated Rafael dos Anjos to win the interim welterweight title. He later secured a TKO victory over Tyron Woodley in 2020. However, he was unable to capture the undisputed championship, falling short in three title opportunities. He lost twice to Kamaru Usman, once by TKO in December 2019 and again by unanimous decision in November 2021, and most recently dropped a unanimous decision to champion Leon Edwards in December 2023.

His tenure was marked by high-profile rivalries, most notably with former teammate Jorge Masvidal. The feud culminated in a March 2022 bout where Covington defeated Masvidal by unanimous decision. In recent months, Covington had expressed frustration with UFC management, alleging he was being unfairly sidelined. He claimed the promotion had not...