History of Colby Covington in Timeline

Colby Covington is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Welterweight division. He is a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion and is currently ranked #9 in the welterweight division as of December 17, 2024. Known for his wrestling-based fighting style and outspoken persona, Covington has been a prominent figure in the UFC, participating in high-profile fights and generating considerable attention both inside and outside the octagon.

Sections (4)

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

February 22, 1988: Colby Covington's Birth

On February 22, 1988, Colby Ray Covington was born. He would later become a professional mixed martial artist, competing in the UFC's Welterweight division and becoming a former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion.

Others born on this day/year

2006: State Championship Win

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

August 10, 2007: Arrest for DUI

On August 10, 2007, Colby Covington was arrested for eluding police and driving under the influence. His BAC was 0.255, which was over three times the legal limit. Subsequently, he was suspended from the Hawkeyes for a year.

2007: National Junior College Wrestling Title

In 2007, Colby Covington won the 165 lb national junior college wrestling title as a freshman at Iowa Central Community College, achieving a 34-0 record.

May 23, 2010: Assault Allegations

On May 23, 2010, Colby Covington was cited for fourth-degree assault after allegedly punching two men following a verbal altercation. However, the Benton County District Attorney's Office did not pursue charges.

2011: Graduation with Sociology Degree

In 2011, Colby Covington graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

2011: Recruitment to American Top Team

In 2011, Colby Covington was recruited by Dan Lambert to American Top Team to improve the gym's wrestling talent.

2013: FILA Grappling Gold Medal

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

August 23, 2014: UFC Debut

On August 23, 2014, Colby 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, Colby Covington fought Wagner Silva at UFC Fight Night 56, winning via submission in the third round.

2014: Signing with the UFC

In the summer of 2014, Colby Covington signed with the UFC after compiling a 5-0 record in his professional career.

May 23, 2015: Victory over Mike Pyle

On May 23, 2015, Colby Covington faced Mike Pyle at UFC 187, replacing an injured Sean Spencer, and won the fight via unanimous decision.

December 12, 2015: Loss to Warlley Alves

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

June 18, 2016: Victory over Jonathan Meunier

On June 18, 2016, Colby Covington fought Jonathan Meunier at UFC Fight Night 89, after Alex Garcia was pulled from the fight. Covington won via submission in the third round.

August 20, 2016: Victory over Max Griffin

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

December 17, 2016: Victory over Bryan Barberena

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

June 17, 2017: Victory over Dong Hyun Kim

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

August 2017: Impact Wrestling Appearances

Throughout August 2017, Colby Covington made appearances in Impact Wrestling (Global Force Wrestling) as part of American Top Team, getting involved in a storyline with Lashley.

October 28, 2017: Victory over Demian Maia

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

2017: Matt Hughes Comments

After his win over Lawler, Covington referenced a near-fatal accident Matt Hughes suffered in 2017, resulting in criticism from the media, but Covington refused to apologize.

2017: Controversial Post-Fight Interview in Brazil

Following his 2017 bout with Demian Maia in São Paulo, Brazil, Colby Covington called the country a "dump" and referred to the Brazilian crowd as "filthy animals" in the post-fight interview.

February 2018: WrestlePro Appearance

In February 2018, during his feud with Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington appeared at a WrestlePro event, where he had his only professional wrestling match to date, squashing a parody of Woodley.

June 9, 2018: Interim UFC Welterweight Championship Win

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

August 2, 2018: Visit to the White House

On August 2, 2018, Colby Covington visited President Donald Trump at the White House to present him with the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship.

September 8, 2018: Unable to Compete at UFC 228 and Stripped of Title

On September 8, 2018, Colby Covington was unable to compete in a title unification bout with Tyron Woodley at UFC 228 due to recent nasal surgery. Subsequently, on July 24, promotional officials indicated that Covington would be stripped of the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship.

2018: Comments About Glenn Robinson

In the lead up to the Kamaru Usman fight at UFC 245, Covington said 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

On August 3, 2019, Colby Covington faced Robbie Lawler at UFC on ESPN 5 and won via unanimous decision, setting a UFC record for most strikes thrown in a fight with 541.

December 14, 2019: Loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 245

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

2019: Use of Kurt Angle's WWE Theme Music

Before his 2019 main event against Robbie Lawler, Colby Covington embraced his villain status by using Kurt Angle's WWE entrance theme, with the crowd chanting "You suck!".

2019: Striking Record Against Robbie Lawler

In 2019, during his win over Robbie Lawler, Colby Covington threw 541 strikes, which was a UFC record at the time.

May 2020: Departure from American Top Team

In May 2020, Colby Covington parted ways with American Top Team after a public feud with other members.

September 19, 2020: Victory Over Tyron Woodley

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

March 2021: Controversy over alleged relationship with Polyana Viana

In March 2021, Colby Covington sparked controversy by suggesting he had a sexual relationship with UFC fighter Polyana Viana, implying this was related to his refusal to fight Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad. Viana refuted these claims, stating they were "just friends" and she had a boyfriend. She condemned Covington's behavior as a cheap self-promotion tactic.

November 6, 2021: Loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC 268

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

2021: Max Holloway Surpasses Striking Record

In 2021, Max Holloway surpassed Colby Covington's 2019 record of 541 attempted strikes in a UFC bout with 746 attempted strikes in his fight against Calvin Kattar.

March 5, 2022: Victory over Jorge Masvidal

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

March 22, 2022: Assault by Jorge Masvidal

On March 22, 2022, Covington was reportedly assaulted outside a Miami Beach Papi Steak restaurant by UFC rival Jorge Masvidal, whom he had previously defeated at UFC 272. Covington allegedly suffered a broken tooth from the assault.

November 6, 2023: Masvidal's plea deal

On November 6, 2023, Jorge Masvidal pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery. This plea deal resulted in the dismissal of felony charges for aggravated battery and criminal mischief related to the assault on Covington.

December 16, 2023: Loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296

On December 16, 2023, Colby Covington faced Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 296 and lost via unanimous decision after breaking his foot early in the bout.

September 2024: Choking Lil Pump

In September 2024, Covington faced criticism for applying a rear-naked chokehold on rapper Lil Pump during a live-streamed video. He maintained the hold for over 10 seconds after Lil Pump tapped out, causing him to pass out before Covington released him.

December 14, 2024: Loss to Joaquin Buckley

On December 14, 2024, Colby Covington faced Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN 63, replacing Ian Machado Garry. Covington lost by technical knockout due to a doctor stoppage from a cut above his eye in the third round.