Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on May 19, informing the fight promotion of his intentions to focus on wrestling instead.
Covington inked a deal with Real American Freestyle and debuted in the wrestling organization in January against former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold. He won his debut and picked up a second win in March, defeating Dillon Danis. In his third appearance on the RAF mat on May 30 at RAF 09, Covington picked up another win against former UFC middleweight titleholder Chris Weidman.
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He’s set to headline the RAF 11 event on July 18 against top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan in Milwaukee. While focused on wrestling, “Chaos” hasn’t ruled an MMA return in the future.
When asked if he believed he’s fought his last MMA fight, Covington told The Ariel Helwani Show, “It’s 50/50. You know, I don’t think I have because I know I have a lot left in the tank. I know there’s a lot of good miles still left on the tread.”
If Covington decides to comeback to MMA at some point, it will only be in the UFC octagon, “I could never go anywhere else. I’m a UFC fighter for life. And I’m thankful to be a UFC fighter. They made me, you know, a very successful man,” he said.
“I wasn’t let go. I’m still a UFC fighter. I’ll always be a UFC fighter. If I come back to fight again, it will be in the UFC,” continued Covington. “I’m still a UFC fighter. I’m still under contract with the UFC. All still good with the UFC. I’m very grateful for everything they did for me.”
