Colby Covington Says UFC Retirement Will Set Up Superfights at RAF Wrestling; Names Dream Opponents

Former UFC welterweight Colby Covington reveals how it is now easier for him to pursue active UFC fighters under the RAF banner.

Colby Covington Says UFC Retirement Will Set Up Superfights at RAF Wrestling; Names Dream Opponents

Colby Covington details RAF future (via Instagram)

In Short
  • Colby Covington has retired from the UFC and transitioned to Real American Freestyle wrestling.
  • He has named five potential opponents for future matches, including Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev.
  • Covington faces a significant weight disadvantage in his upcoming RAF 09 bout against Chris Weidman, who has a strong wrestling background.

Colby Covington’s UFC run was filled with exciting moments, from outspoken trash talk to relentless performances inside the cage. However, the controversial star has now left the UFC. Covington has since moved into Real American Freestyle, continuing his combat journey in a wrestling-focused format. ‘Chaos’ has now already outlined potential opponents for his future under RAF.

Covington had a pretty short amateur MMA career, joined the UFC in 2014, and quickly rose through the welterweight ranks with a seven-fight winning streak. His rise included winning the interim UFC welterweight title in 2018 against Rafael dos Anjos. His final UFC fight came in December 2024, when he lost to Joaquin Buckley via doctor’s stoppage, leading to his UFC exit and retirement.

Covington has already competed under the Real American Freestyle banner even before his UFC departure. He defeated Luke Rockhold by technical fall at RAF 5 before beating Dillon Danis at RAF 7. The former interim UFC champion has stayed active by competing in wrestling outside MMA. His recent comments about future opponents further revealed the direction he plans to take under RAF.

This was just the proverbial red tape that needed to be handled to clear up the biggest and best matches in RAF. Now, there are no limitations on who I can wrestle. I want to wrestle Arman, I want to wrestle [Khamzat], I want to wrestle Marty Usman — we have unfinished business. It was just a formality, and Hunter gave me his blessing. It’s all good. It’s all love. I didn’t need one of these crazy retirement packages. I’m just moving on to bigger and better things.

Colby Covington via The Ariel Helwani Show

The former UFC contender’s recent comments also hinted that his relationship with UFC executive Hunter Campbell has somewhat improved recently. Covington previously took major shots at the UFC Chief Business Officer during several public appearances and interviews. He had accused Campbell of icing out fighters or limiting their opportunities over even minor behind-the-scenes mistakes.

Covington’s callout of Kamaru Usman was notable given their rivalry across two title fights at UFC 245 and UFC 268. Usman defeated Covington in both matchups, though their rivalry remained one of the division’s biggest storylines. Khamzat Chimaev is another major name recently linked to RAF after signing with the promotion. The Chechen star has also previously called out ‘Chaos’ for a potential RAF matchup.

However, Arman Tsarukyan remains the biggest draw under the RAF banner because of his extensive involvement with the promotion. Tsarukyan has competed at every RAF event in 2026 and is also scheduled to compete at RAF 09 and RAF 10. Given their wrestling backgrounds and growing profiles, the Armenian star could become the perfect matchup for Colby Covington’s long-term RAF resume.

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Colby Covington acknowledges the disadvantage he will face ahead of upcoming RAF matchup

Colby Covington spent most of his MMA career competing in the UFC welterweight division at 170 pounds. The former interim champion never officially moved into middleweight despite previously hinting at a potential jump to 185 pounds. Throughout his UFC tenure, Covington built a reputation as a smaller welterweight who relied heavily on cardio and wrestling pressure.

Colby Covington
Colby Covington retires from the UFC [via Reddit]

Covington’s upcoming RAF 09 matchup against Chris Weidman is notable because the bout will take place at a 200-pound limit. The former interim welterweight champion has never competed anywhere near that weight during his career, while Weidman spent years fighting at middleweight. Covington recently admitted the challenge ahead while acknowledging Weidman’s major weight advantage.

The weight class for this one is 200 pounds. I’ve never weighed above 200 in my life. We’re giving him a significant advantage in the weight department, but in the heart department and the skill department, it can’t be matched with me. I’ve been on the Michael Phelps diet. I’ve been eating as much as I can, eating carbs at midnight before I go to bed, just to keep a little extra weight on. I’ll probably weigh 192-195lbs.

Colby Covington via The Ariel Helwani Show

Weidman’s background makes the RAF 09 matchup difficult for ‘Chaos’ beyond the size difference. The former UFC middleweight champion was a two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler before entering mixed martial arts.

Weidman later captured the UFC middleweight title and defended it multiple times. Combined with his natural size advantage, ‘The All-American’ presents a major challenge at RAF 09 for Covington.

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