Colby Covington Hints at Potential Mixed Martial Arts Return

Former UFC standout Colby Covington has not definitively closed the door on a future return to competitive mixed martial arts.

While Covington is no longer actively competing in MMA, he is dedicating significant attention to the RAF (Real American Fight) league, where he has achieved success.

Colby Covington, known for his outspoken personality, undeniably captured considerable attention during his UFC career, partly due to his political associations and outspoken demeanor.

In a recent interview, despite previous assumptions of retirement, Covington indicated the possibility of another MMA fight.

"I wasn’t getting any fights in the UFC," Covington explained. "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 card and would have fought anybody. I would have fought a heavyweight. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to compete there in front of the greatest president of all time, Donald Trump, but it never transpired. So, you know, I don’t think that I’m technically retired, but it’s just what needed to happen so I could wrestle guys like Arman, so I could wrestle guys like Belal (Muhammad), so I could wrestle guys like (Kamaru) Usman, so I could wrestle all these big marquee matchups in RAF and get back to my first true love and passion, which is wrestling.

"So I don’t know, maybe I come back for a fight. I wouldn’t say I’m fully retired. Everybody keeps saying, ‘Oh, he’s retired.’ 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 … I’m still in my prime. I’m still taking good care of my body and my brain, so I wouldn’t say the door is fully closed and I’m 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.”

Colby Covington Discusses His Future

The former UFC fighter elaborated on his current situation, stating that the lack of appealing fight offers from the UFC prompted him to seek opportunities elsewhere. He expressed a desire to compete on a specific "White House card" and would have accepted any opponent, even a heavyweight, to do so in front of his perceived favorite president. Covington clarified that his move to RAF is not a definitive retirement but a strategic shift to pursue his passion for wrestling, allowing him to face top-tier wrestlers like Arman Tsarukyan, Belal Muhammad, and Kamaru Usman in that discipline.

He further emphasized that he doesn't consider himself fully retired, pointing to his recent dominant victories in RAF, including defeating the lightweight number one contender with ease. Covington believes he is still in his physical prime, taking care of himself, and therefore has not entirely shut the door on a return to MMA. He characterized his current focus on wrestling as a "temporary break" from mixed martial arts.

English Translation:

Former UFC star Colby Covington hasn’t completely shut the door on a return to competitive mixed martial arts in the future.

While Covington is no longer actively participating in the MMA scene, he is currently dedicating a significant amount of his focus to the RAF league, where he has found success.

Colby Covington, known for his outspoken nature, undeniably drew a lot of attention to the sport during his UFC tenure, partly due to his associations with Donald Trump and his highly vocal personality.

In a recent interview, despite prior assumptions of retirement, Colby Covington hinted at the possibility of another MMA fight.

"I wasn’t getting any fights in the UFC," Covington said. "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 card and would have fought anybody. I would have fought a heavyweight. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to compete there in front of the greatest president of all time, Donald Trump, but it never transpired. So, you know, I don’t think that I’m technically retired, but it’s just what needed to happen so I could wrestle guys like Arman, so I could wrestle guys like Belal (Muhammad), so I could wrestle guys like (Kamaru) Usman, so I could wrestle all these big marquee matchups in RAF and get back to my first true love and passion, which is wrestling.

"So I don't know, maybe I come back for a fight. I wouldn’t say I’m fully retired. Everybody keeps saying, ‘Oh, he’s retired.’ 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 … I’m still in my prime. I’m still taking good care of my body and my brain, so I wouldn’t say the door is fully closed and I’m 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.”