Story perspectives

UFC Lists Covington Retired; Wrestles Weidman May 30

5/19/2026

Summary

Covington Retires

UFC changed Covington’s status to “retired” on Monday, listing him as retired on the website.
Covington, 38, ends his UFC career with a 12-5 record, an interim welterweight title and three losses to Kamaru Usman (twice) and Leon Edwards, while objecting to being omitted from the June 14 Freedom 250 card at White House.
He is set to wrestle Chris Weidman on May 30 at RAF 9 in Arlington, Texas.

Summary

Covington Freestyle

Covington switched to Real American Freestyle (RAF) and has already defeated former UFC champion Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis.
His RAF debut came immediately after his MMA retirement, marking a rapid move to the freestyle format.
Covington’s last UFC bout ended in a doctor-stop loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa on December 14, 2024.
Injuries forced UFC officials to strip him of the interim welterweight title before a scheduled unification fight.

Summary

UFC Cuts

Roster Watch announced on May 18 2026 that Covington, Silva, Riddell and Fletcher were removed.
Silva was cut after a winless streak ending with an April loss to Michelle Montague.
Riddell was released after three defeats, his last fight occurring in November 2022.
Fletcher, a ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ contestant, was cut with a 1-2 UFC record.
Covington’s retirement is provisional, with rumors and a RAF bout against Chris Weidman on May 30 in Texas.

History

Historical Context

In March 2011 the UFC stripped Georges St-Pierre after a torn ACL, awarding interim welterweight champion Johny Hendricks a $500,000 purse. The organization has repeated this pattern, previously removing champion Colby Covington on September 8 2018 due to injury. After his December 14 2024 loss, Covington lost his title and turned to Real American Freestyle to face Chris Weidman on May 30 2026.

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Covington Retires

UFC changed Covington’s status to “retired” on Monday, listing him as retired on the website.
Covington, 38, ends his UFC career with a 12-5 record, an interim welterweight title and three losses to Kamaru Usman (twice) and Leon Edwards, while objecting to being omitted from the June 14 Freedom 250 card at White House.
He is set to wrestle Chris Weidman on May 30 at RAF 9 in Arlington, Texas.

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