Colby Covington’s night at UFC Tampa turned into a disaster when his opponent, Joaquin Buckley, unleashed an onslaught that left him badly cut and bleeding. The damage was severe enough for the cage-side doctors to step in and call off the fight, a decision that didn’t sit well with ‘Chaos.’ However, many in the MMA community, including seasoned veterans, believe Covington looked nowhere close to his best.

His recent run inside the Octagon has been nothing but disappointing and many believe he should now hang his gloves up. At 36, ‘Chaos’ is at the twilight of his career and the recent rankings have made his problems even more worse.

Colby Covington loses three spots in his rankings after brutal loss at UFC Tampa

Colby Covington, known as ‘Chaos,’ has been a prominent figure in the welterweight division, gaining attention as much for his controversial persona as for his skills inside the cage. Although he came up short in his most recent fight, the former All-American wrestler was still positioning himself as a potential title contender. However, with his loss against Buckley in the recently concluded event the former interim champion has raised many questions. The updated UFC rankings reflect the shifts prompted by the outcomes of UFC Tampa on December 14.

Although not all divisions were impacted, veteran MMA journalist John Morgan reported that there were changes in the lightweight, welterweight, and both the men’s and women’s flyweight rankings. Colby Covington suffered the biggest drop in the rankings after enduring a lopsided defeat against Joaquin Buckley in the main event at UFC Tampa, where he was dominated for nearly three rounds before the ref stopped the bout. Jed I. Goodman took to his X account to share the news with the fans on social media.

He tweeted, “Updated #UFC WW Rankings. Joaquin Buckley up 3 spots. Colby Covington down 3 spots.” At 36 years old, Colby Covington remains physically resilient, but his recent track record tells a different story, with losses in three of his last four fights and four of his last six.

Colby Covington is nearing a stage in his career where he risks becoming a gatekeeper in the division if he decides to keep fighting. His next matchup will be crucial, requiring careful consideration, as each additional loss from here on will further diminish his prospects and limit his potential going forward.

The former interim champion looked nowhere close to his best in his fight against Joaquin Buckley. Not only was he able to handle the pace of the fight he also lacked power in his punches. UFC analysts, including Michael Bisping, didn’t mince words when discussing Covington’s performance, delivering blunt critiques and offering a stark assessment of what it could mean for his future in the sport.

Michael Bisping gives honest opinion about Colby Covington’s last performance

UFC legend and analyst Michael Bisping dissected the action from UFC Tampa, providing a detailed breakdown of Covington’s struggles against Buckley. Bisping highlighted how Buckley overpowered Covington, landing a devastating shot that left the California native visibly shaken and unable to recover in the Octagon. After more than a year away from competition, ‘Chaos’ seemed to struggle with the effects of his lengthy layoff, unable to establish his rhythm or effectively defend against Buckley’s power. The pivotal moment came in the second round when Buckley connected with a powerful right hand, opening a deep gash above Covington’s eyebrow.

Blood streamed down into his eye, and while Covington pressed on despite the pain, the damage proved too severe. In the third round, the fight was stopped when the doctor deemed the cut on his eyelid too dangerous for him to continue. Bisping, always blunt in his analysis, commended Covington for his heart and determination, recognizing that he took the fight on short notice to defend his position and prove he was ready to face up-and-coming contenders.

Showing concern for Covington, Bisping said, “Colby Covington, fair play, I respect him. He stepped up on short notice, wanted to defend his spot, wanted to prove that he’s willing to take on young up-and-coming contenders. But tonight was not his night.” So, what lies ahead for Covington? The path forward is unclear.

Known for both his toughness in the cage and his polarizing persona outside of it, this recent string of losses raises doubts about his chances for another title shot or future high-level matchups. What do you think Covington’s next move will be?