Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has officially notified the UFC of his decision to retire from active competition.

UFC officials confirmed the news on Monday. The UFC's athlete database already has Covington listed as retired. Mayra Bueno Silva and Brad Riddell have also been removed from the roster.

Covington's UFC Run Comes to an End

Covington (17-5) last fought in the UFC in December 2024, suffering a third-round stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley. That was a year after he came up short in his attempt to take the undisputed welterweight title away from Leon Edwards.

"Chaos" first debuted with the promotion in 2014 and won 10 of his first 11 fights, including a seven-fight win streak that was part of his run to the interim 170-pound title, which he claimed via unanimous decision over Rafael dos Anjos in 2018.

Covington would lose that belt by way of a TKO loss to Kamaru Usman a year later, which started a downward trend, both in activity and outcomes. The American fought only five more times for the UFC after that 2019 loss and went 2-3 in that span. Two of those losses were title bouts, both unanimous decision defeats to Usman in 2021 and Leon Edwards in 2023.

His final UFC fight goes down as a third-round TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley after doctors stopped the contest due to an eye injury. His record stands at 12-5 under the banner.

A Surprising Retirement

Covington's retirement is surprising considering he was campaigning for a spot on the White House card on June 14. The 38-year-old welterweight had been vocal about wanting to fight at the historic event.

Covington leaves the promotion with big wins over Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, Rafael dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler.

Covington Still Competing Outside UFC

While the veteran is done with the UFC, he is still competing professionally in combat sports. He has competed twice under the Real American Freestyle banner, a wrestling promotion. Covington is 2-0 thus far with RAF, with wins over fellow ex-UFC fighters Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis. He is scheduled to take on former middleweight champion Chris Weidman on May 30 in Texas.

Other Fighters Removed from Roster

Mayra Bueno Silva (10-7-1) walks away from the UFC after going winless in her last six fights, including a title fight loss to Raquel Pennington. Her most recent appearance ended in a decision defeat to Michelle Montague in April.

Brad Riddell (10-4) lost three straight between 2021 and 2022, a trio of stoppages against Rafael Fiziev, Jalin Turner and Renato Moicano. "Quake" was slated to return to the cage after more than a year away to face Thiago Moises in March 2024 but withdrew from the card.