Colby Covington says he’s not fully retired, names condition for UFC return

Former UFC title challenger Colby Covington signaled openness to an MMA return while prioritizing wrestling opportunities, clarifying his status after leaving the promotion in 2024. In an interview with MMA Junkie, he addressed a possible UFC return and his current focus with Real American Freestyle. He said any MMA return hinges on big fights, noting he is 4-0 in RAF and recently won its inaugural cruiserweight crossover championship. Covington cited disagreements over matchups and omission from UFC Freedom 250 as factors in stepping away. He described the shift as a temporary break to pursue wrestling.