Colby Covington
Colby Ray Covington (born February 22, 1988) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[1][2] A former All-American collegiate wrestler at Oregon State University, where he competed after winning a national junior college championship, Covington transitioned to MMA with a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses as of 2025.[3][4] He captured the interim UFC Welterweight Championship in 2018 by defeating former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision at UFC 225, holding the title for over a year and establishing himself as a top contender through victories over notable opponents including Robbie Lawler.[5][6] Covington's fighting style emphasizes relentless forward pressure, high-volume striking, and wrestling control, reflecting his background as a state high school champion and NCAA Division I competitor.[7][8] Despite title fight losses to Kamaru Usman in 2019 and 2021, and recent defeats to Jorge Masvidal and Leon Edwards, he has remained ranked among the division's elite, known for his endurance and ability to dictate fight pace over five rounds.[4][9] Outside the octagon, Covington has cultivated a persona centered on American patriotism, frequently dedicating performances to the U.S. military—stemming from family ties including his grandfather's service—and expressing conservative viewpoints that include support for former President Donald Trump and criticism of movements like Black Lives Matter.[10][11] This outspokenness, combined with his "Chaos" nickname and trash-talking approach, has polarized fans but amplified his visibility in a sport where such authenticity drives engagement.[12]Early Life and Amateur Background
Childhood and Family Influences
Colby Covington was born on February 22, 1988, in Clovis, California, to parents Brad and Noelle Covington.[13] [3] The family, which included two sisters—older sibling Candace and younger sibling Callie—relocated to Oregon when Covington was eight years old, shaping his formative environment in a middle-class household.[13] [14] [3] His father's background as a wrestler at the Oregon Institute of Technology fostered an early emphasis on athletic discipline and physical competition within the family dynamic.[15] Brad Covington introduced his son to wrestling, aligning with a household value system that viewed sports as a structured path to personal development and success amid modest circumstances.[15] [16] Covington has reflected on periods of family hardship, including his mother's role as a single parent managing multiple jobs to support the household, which contributed to his early cultivation of resilience and a competitive mindset.[17] By age five, he articulated an ambition to become the world's top fighter, with wrestling serving as the initial outlet influenced by these familial pressures and encouragements.[11] This upbringing in Oregon's athletic-oriented community reinforced a no-nonsense approach to perseverance, distinct from more affluent backgrounds that might dilute such drive.[16]High School and Collegiate Wrestling Achievements
Covington attended Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon, where he competed in wrestling and lettered all four years.[3] As a senior, he won the Oregon state championship at 171 pounds.[3] He concluded his high school career with a record of 118 wins and 34 losses, including 58 pins, and secured two conference championships.[3] Covington began his collegiate wrestling at Iowa Central Community College, where he won the NJCAA national championship at 165 pounds as a true freshman in 2007 with an undefeated 34-0 record. He then transferred to Oregon State University, competing from 2008 to 2011 primarily at 174 pounds.[3] At Oregon State, Covington claimed Pac-10 Conference titles in 2010 and 2011.[3] In the 2009-10 season, he recorded a 40-7 dual meet record, led the team with 15 pins, and advanced to the NCAA Championships, where he went 2-2 after seeding eighth but fell short of All-American status by one match.[18] During his senior year in 2010-11, he qualified for the NCAA Championships again and placed fifth, earning All-American honors.[19] [20] Covington set an Oregon State record with 228 takedowns in a single season, underscoring his aggressive, pressure-oriented style.[3]Transition to Mixed Martial Arts
Amateur MMA Experience
Covington's entry into mixed martial arts began with limited amateur competition, primarily serving as an initial testing ground for transitioning his collegiate wrestling background into the cage. His sole documented amateur bout occurred on August 26, 2006, at Rumble at the Roseland 24, an event promoted by Full Contact Fighting Federation (FCFF) in Portland, Oregon.[21][22] In the main card matchup against debuting opponent Marcos Rocha, Covington secured a first-round submission victory via bulldog choke at 1:48, demonstrating early proficiency in ground control and finishing holds derived from his wrestling pedigree.[2][6] The bulldog choke, a neck crank variant often employed in wrestling transitions, underscored his ability to impose dominant positions and capitalize on submissions under amateur rules, which emphasized grappling over striking exchanges. This regional Pacific Northwest event provided foundational exposure to MMA's hybrid demands, including adapting takedown chains to account for strikes and guard passing against non-wrestlers. No further amateur fights are recorded prior to his professional debut in February 2012, during a period when Covington prioritized NCAA wrestling at Oregon State University, where he achieved All-American status.[23] This sparse amateur record reflects a direct pivot from wrestling dominance to pro MMA, with the 2006 win highlighting key adaptations like submission integration to neutralize upright threats and maintain offensive pressure.Early Professional Fights and Regional Success
Covington made his professional mixed martial arts debut on February 11, 2012, at Midtown Throwdown 3, defeating Chris Ensley via TKO due to a knee injury at 1:21 of the first round.[6] Less than three months later, on April 27, 2012, he secured a submission victory over David Hayes with an arm-triangle choke in the second round at Fight Time 9: MMA Explosion.[6] These early outings demonstrated his grappling prowess, rooted in his wrestling background, as he transitioned from amateur competition to the professional ranks.[6] Continuing his ascent in regional promotions, Covington won a unanimous decision against Jason Jackson on June 22, 2012, at Fight Time 10: It's Personal, going the full three rounds for the first time in his pro career.[6] After a hiatus, he returned on October 12, 2013, at CFA 12: Sampo vs. Thao, again earning a unanimous decision over Jose Caceres in a three-round bout.[6] His final pre-UFC fight came on May 16, 2014, at AFC 21: The Return, where he submitted Jay Ellis via arm-triangle choke at 2:49 of the first round.[6]| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round/Time | Event/Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 11, 2012 | Chris Ensley | Win | TKO (knee injury) | 1 / 1:21 | Midtown Throwdown 3 |
| Apr 27, 2012 | David Hayes | Win | Submission (arm-triangle) | 2 / 1:42 | Fight Time 9: MMA Explosion |
| Jun 22, 2012 | Jason Jackson | Win | Unanimous Decision | 3 / 5:00 | Fight Time 10: It's Personal |
| Oct 12, 2013 | Jose Caceres | Win | Unanimous Decision | 3 / 5:00 | CFA 12: Sampo vs. Thao |
| May 16, 2014 | Jay Ellis | Win | Submission (arm-triangle) | 1 / 2:49 | AFC 21: The Return |