Colby Ray Covington is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's Welterweight division. A former Interim UFC Welterweight Champion, he is currently ranked #6 in the welterweight rankings as of October 8, 2024. Known for his wrestling background, Covington has consistently been a top contender in the division.
February 22, 1988: Birth of Colby Covington
Colby Ray Covington was born on February 22, 1988.
2006: High School State Championship
In 2006, Colby Covington won the 171 lb state championship as a senior at Thurston High School.
August 10, 2007: Arrest and Suspension
On August 10, 2007, Covington was arrested for eluding police and driving under the influence. He was subsequently suspended from the University of Iowa Hawkeyes for a year.
2007: National Junior College Wrestling Title
Colby Covington won the 165 lb national junior college wrestling title at Iowa Central Community College in 2007.
May 23, 2010: Assault Allegation
On May 23, 2010, Covington was accused of punching two men after a verbal altercation and cited for fourth-degree assault, although charges were not pursued.
2011: Joining American Top Team
After graduating college in 2011, Covington began training at American Top Team.
2011: College Graduation
Colby Covington graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2011.
2013: FILA Grappling World Championship
Covington won a gold medal at the 2013 FILA Grappling no-gi world championships.
August 23, 2014: UFC Debut
Covington made his UFC debut against Anying Wang at UFC Fight Night 48 on August 23, 2014, winning by TKO.
November 8, 2014: Victory over Wagner Silva
On November 8, 2014, Covington defeated Wagner Silva via submission at UFC Fight Night 56.
2014: Signing with the UFC
In 2014, Colby Covington signed with the UFC after compiling a 5-0 professional record.
May 23, 2015: Victory over Mike Pyle
Covington won against Mike Pyle by unanimous decision at UFC 187 on May 23, 2015.
December 12, 2015: Loss to Warlley Alves
On December 12, 2015, Covington lost to Warlley Alves by submission at UFC 194.
June 18, 2016: Victory over Jonathan Meunier
Covington defeated Jonathan Meunier by submission on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89.
August 20, 2016: Victory over Max Griffin
On August 20, 2016, Covington defeated Max Griffin by TKO at UFC 202.
December 17, 2016: Victory over Bryan Barberena
Covington won against Bryan Barberena by unanimous decision at UFC on Fox 22 on December 17, 2016.
June 17, 2017: Victory over Dong Hyun Kim
On June 17, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 111, Colby Covington won against Dong Hyun Kim via unanimous decision.
August 2017: Covington's Impact Wrestling Appearances
Throughout August 2017, Colby Covington made several appearances in Impact Wrestling, aligning with American Top Team and engaging in a storyline with Lashley, even attacking a referee. He also appeared as a cornerman at Bound for Glory in November 2017.
October 28, 2017: Victory over Demian Maia
Covington defeated Demian Maia by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 119 on October 28, 2017.
2017: Covington's Matt Hughes Comments
After his win over Lawler in 2019, Covington made controversial remarks about Matt Hughes's 2017 accident, drawing criticism but refusing to apologize.
2017: Covington's "Filthy Animals" Comment
Following his fight with Demian Maia in 2017, Covington sparked controversy by calling Brazil a "dump" and the Brazilian crowd "filthy animals." He later claimed this saved his career as he was about to be cut by the UFC.
February 2018: Covington's WrestlePro Appearance
In February 2018, during his feud with Tyron Woodley, Covington appeared at a WrestlePro event, where he had his only professional wrestling match. He defeated a parody version of Tyron Woodley.
June 9, 2018: Interim Welterweight Championship Win
Colby Covington won the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship against Rafael dos Anjos on June 9, 2018, at UFC 225.
August 2, 2018: Covington Visits White House
On August 2, 2018, Colby Covington visited President Donald Trump at the White House after winning the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship. Trump also congratulated Covington post-fight after beating Tyron Woodley.
September 8, 2018: Title Unification Bout Cancellation and Title Stripping
On September 8, 2018, Covington's title unification bout with Tyron Woodley at UFC 228 was cancelled due to Covington's nasal surgery. Subsequently, Covington was stripped of the Interim UFC Welterweight Championship.
2018: Covington's Comments about Usman's Coach
In the lead-up to his fight with Kamaru Usman in 2018 at UFC 245, Covington made insensitive remarks about Usman's deceased coach, Glenn Robinson.
August 3, 2019: Victory over Robbie Lawler
Covington defeated Robbie Lawler by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 5 on August 3, 2019, setting a record for most strikes thrown in a UFC bout.
December 14, 2019: Welterweight Championship Loss and Fight of the Night
On December 14, 2019, Covington lost to Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 245 by TKO. He also earned the Fight of the Night bonus.
2019: Covington's Use of Kurt Angle's Theme
In 2019, Covington further embraced his villain persona by using Kurt Angle's WWE entrance theme for his fight against Robbie Lawler.
2019: Covington Sets UFC Striking Record
In 2019, during his victory against Robbie Lawler, Colby Covington attempted a record-breaking 541 strikes, showcasing his aggressive and volume-based fighting style.
May 2020: Departure from American Top Team
In May 2020, Colby Covington left American Top Team after public feuds with several teammates.
September 19, 2020: Victory over Tyron Woodley
Covington defeated Tyron Woodley by TKO due to a rib injury at UFC Fight Night 178 on September 19, 2020.
March 2021: Covington's Comments about Polyana Viana
In March 2021, Covington caused controversy by suggesting he had a relationship with Polyana Viana, which Viana denied, leading to further public disagreement.
November 6, 2021: Welterweight Championship Rematch Loss
Covington lost the rematch against Kamaru Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 268 on November 6, 2021.
2021: Holloway Breaks Covington's Striking Record
In 2021, Max Holloway surpassed Colby Covington's striking record with an astonishing 746 attempts against Calvin Kattar.
March 5, 2022: Victory over Jorge Masvidal and Fight of the Night
On March 5, 2022, Covington defeated Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision at UFC 272, earning the Fight of the Night award.
March 22, 2022: Covington Assaulted by Masvidal
On March 22, 2022, Covington was assaulted outside a restaurant by Jorge Masvidal, resulting in a broken tooth and Masvidal's arrest.
November 6, 2023: Masvidal Pleads No Contest
On November 6, 2023, Masvidal pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in a plea deal related to the assault on Covington.
December 16, 2023: Welterweight Championship Loss to Leon Edwards
Covington lost to Leon Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship at UFC 296 on December 16, 2023, after suffering a broken foot.
September 2024: Covington's Incident with Lil Pump
In September 2024, Covington drew criticism after choking rapper Lil Pump unconscious in a live-streamed video.
October 8, 2024: UFC Welterweight Ranking
As of October 8, 2024, Colby Covington was #6 in the UFC welterweight rankings.
December 14, 2024: Loss to Joaquin Buckley
Covington lost to Joaquin Buckley by TKO (doctor stoppage) at UFC on ESPN 63 on December 14, 2024.