Career Timeline of Colby Covington: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Colby Covington made an impact.

Colby Covington is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. He is a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion. As of March 2026, he is ranked #14 in the UFC welterweight rankings. Known for his wrestling background and cardio, Covington is also a controversial figure due to his outspoken persona and promotion tactics.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: State Championship Win

In 2006, as a senior wrestler at Thurston High School, Colby Covington won the 171 lb state championship.

2007: National Junior College Wrestling Title

In 2007, while at Iowa Central Community College, Covington won the 165 lb national junior college wrestling title as a true freshman with a 34-0 record. Jon Jones was his roommate at the time.

2011: Joining American Top Team

In 2011, after his collegiate wrestling career, Covington was recruited by Dan Lambert to American Top Team to enhance their wrestling talent.

2013: FILA Grappling World Championships Gold Medal

In 2013, Covington won a gold medal at the FILA Grappling no-gi world championships.

August 23, 2014: UFC Debut Victory

On August 23, 2014, Covington made his UFC debut against Anying Wang at UFC Fight Night 48, winning by TKO in the first round.

November 8, 2014: Victory over Wagner Silva

On November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 56, Covington defeated Wagner Silva via submission in the third round.

2014: Signing with UFC

In the summer of 2014, after compiling a 5-0 record, Covington signed with the UFC.

May 23, 2015: Victory over Mike Pyle at UFC 187

On May 23, 2015, Covington fought Mike Pyle at UFC 187, replacing Sean Spencer, and won via unanimous decision.

December 12, 2015: Loss to Warlley Alves

On December 12, 2015, at UFC 194, Covington faced Warlley Alves and lost via submission in the first round.

June 18, 2016: Victory over Jonathan Meunier

On June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89, Covington was originally scheduled to face Alex Garcia, but Garcia was replaced by Jonathan Meunier; Covington won via submission in the third round.

August 20, 2016: Victory over Max Griffin

On August 20, 2016, at UFC 202, Covington faced Max Griffin and won via TKO in the third round.

December 17, 2016: Victory over Bryan Barberena

On December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox 22, Covington fought Bryan Barberena and won via unanimous decision.

June 17, 2017: Victory over Dong Hyun Kim

On June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 111, Covington faced Dong Hyun Kim and won via unanimous decision.

August 2017: Impact Wrestling Appearances

Throughout August 2017, Covington made appearances in Impact Wrestling (Global Force Wrestling), representing American Top Team, involved in a storyline with Lashley, siding with ATT and attacking referee Brian Hebner on August 17 at Destination X. He also appeared at ringside for Lashley's match on the August 24 episode of Impact!.

October 28, 2017: Victory over Demian Maia

On October 28, 2017, Covington fought Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 119 and won via unanimous decision in what was the final fight of his prevailing contract.

2017: Covington's controversial comments on Matt Hughes' accident

In 2017, after defeating Robbie Lawler, Colby Covington made a controversial statement referencing Matt Hughes' near-fatal accident, where Hughes' truck was struck by a train. Covington refused to apologize despite media criticism, stating that Hughes "has done some pretty crappy stuff".

June 9, 2018: Interim UFC Welterweight Championship Win

On June 9, 2018, at UFC 225, Covington fought Rafael dos Anjos for the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship and won via unanimous decision.

September 8, 2018: Title Unification Bout Cancellation and Stripping of Interim Title

On September 8, 2018, Covington was briefly linked to a title unification bout with Tyron Woodley at UFC 228, but he was unable to compete due to recent nasal surgery. As a result, on July 24, UFC officials indicated that Covington would be stripped of the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship once the bout between Woodley and Darren Till took place.

2018: Covington's trash talk about Usman and Glenn Robinson

In 2018, leading up to the Kamaru Usman fight at UFC 245, Colby Covington trash-talked about Usman, stating that Usman gave Glenn Robinson, Usman's long-time coach who died in 2018, "a heart attack from all those years you were ducking me."

August 3, 2019: Victory over Robbie Lawler and Strike Record

On August 3, 2019, Covington returned to face Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 5, winning via unanimous decision and setting a UFC record for most strikes thrown in a bout, with 541 strikes.

December 14, 2019: UFC Welterweight Championship Loss to Kamaru Usman

On December 14, 2019, at UFC 245, Covington faced Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship and lost by technical knockout in the fifth round. He earned his first Fight of the Night bonus.

2019: Embracing Villain Status

Before his 2019 main event against Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 5, Covington embraced his villain status by using Kurt Angle's WWE entrance theme and having Trump's sons cage-side.

September 19, 2020: Victory over Tyron Woodley at UFC Fight Night 178

On September 19, 2020, Covington headlined UFC Fight Night 178 against Tyron Woodley and won by technical knockout due to a rib injury suffered by Woodley.

November 6, 2021: UFC Welterweight Championship Rematch Loss to Kamaru Usman

On November 6, 2021, at UFC 268, Covington rematched Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship and lost via unanimous decision.

March 5, 2022: Victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272

On March 5, 2022, at UFC 272, Covington faced Jorge Masvidal and won via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

March 17, 2023: Backup Fighter at UFC 286

On March 17, 2023, Covington successfully weighed in as the backup fighter for the welterweight title fight at UFC 286 in London, England.

December 16, 2023: UFC Welterweight Championship Loss to Leon Edwards

After sitting out for nearly two years, Covington returned to face Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship on December 16, 2023, in the main event at UFC 296. Covington broke his foot in the first minute and lost via unanimous decision.

December 14, 2024: Loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 63

On December 14, 2024, Covington replaced Ian Machado Garry to face Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 63. Covington lost by technical knockout as a result of a doctor stoppage due to a cut above his eye in the third round.