Colby Covington‘s recent loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa, coupled with his declining performance and reliance on controversial persona over fighting prowess, suggests he may no longer be an elite welterweight, raising questions about his future in the sport.
Colby Covington’s recent fight at UFC Tampa ended in a rather unexpected way. A gruesome cut halted his bout against Joaquin Buckley, marking his first non-title loss since 2015. Despite being granted title shots after beating opponents with less-than-stellar records, Covington’s recent performances have been lackluster.
He didn’t take the stoppage well, though it was clear his night wasn’t going as planned. With his 37th birthday on the horizon, one might wonder if this marks the twilight of his career as an elite welterweight. Matt Brown, another UFC veteran, seems to think Covington’s best days are behind him.
“It’s hard to argue he’s really been elite for a while,” Brown commented on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. He suggested that Covington’s chance to prove himself passed by without success. But is retirement next for Covington? That’s the burning question.
Before 2017, Covington was just another name in the mix. He reinvented himself by becoming one of the loudest voices in MMA—both inside and outside the octagon. His support for Donald Trump became as much a part of his identity as his fighting skills, earning him invitations to political events but not aiding him against Buckley.
“There’s different ways to build your name,” Brown noted, comparing Covington’s path to Chael Sonnen’s infamous trash-talking route. Yet, does Covington still have the hunger to compete? His demeanor during the fight suggests otherwise.
Compounding his woes is his inability to secure a championship belt after three attempts. Excuses like altitude sickness and injuries have followed these losses, yet Brown points out that Covington hasn’t shown an impressive performance since 2019 against Robbie Lawler.
Brown speculates whether Covington relied too heavily on his persona rather than honing his craft. It’s a tragedy, he muses, considering Covington once had the potential to be a top contender.
Covington hasn’t hinted at retirement, but who knows when he’ll return? After losing to Leon Edwards in late 2023, he only resurfaced for the Buckley fight last weekend. Brown remains skeptical about any potential comeback but wishes him well.
“I hope the best for Colby,” Brown said optimistically. He hopes Covington can recapture his former glory by returning to rigorous training and commitment seen in his early days. Only time will tell if Covington can reclaim his status among MMA’s elite.
For more insights like these, tune into The Fighter vs. The Writer every Tuesday on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.