Colby Covington is no stranger to controversy, earning a reputation as one of the UFC’s most outspoken and polarizing figures. Known for his brash remarks, including insults toward Leon Edwards’ late father and his vocal support for former President Donald Trump, Covington often stays in the limelight, whether through his antics or his performance inside the Octagon. However, his recent loss to Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa has once again placed him in the spotlight, this time for his explanation of the defeat.

The Clovis native, who took the fight on short notice, attributed his brutal loss to a lack of preparation. In a candid interview with Home of Fight, he explained that he wasn’t able to dedicate himself fully to training because he had been campaigning for Trump, leaving little time for his usual camp. “It wasn’t a full training camp. I was busy campaigning with Trump, you know, getting him ready. I wasn’t even in the training room and came off the couch on 2 1/2 weeks’ notice,” Covington explained. “It’s a tough ending, but it is what it is. That’s life. You don’t hang your head; it’s in the past now. I don’t dwell on my past. Just focus on being better in the future.”

Ahead of the fight, Covington made sure to showcase his devotion to Trump, arriving at the Amalie Arena wearing a chain with Trump’s head as the pendant. Before entering the Octagon, he kissed the pendant, presumably for good luck. Dana White even shared a photo of Covington proudly displaying the chain on Instagram, approving of the former interim welterweight champion’s pre-fight energy.

Covington entered this bout eager to erase the painful memory of his loss to former welterweight champion Leon Edwards a year ago. However, despite his confidence, things didn’t go as planned. Buckley’s relentless striking and hard punches ultimately resulted in a bloody and messy defeat for Covington, leaving him to reconsider his next move.

Colby Covington’s plans for the future after losing at UFC Tampa

Colby Covington finds himself at a crossroads after his loss to Joaquin Buckley. At 36 years old, the road back to title contention seems more challenging than ever, especially with his ranking slipping after another failed title attempt. So, what’s next for ‘Chaos’?

Covington has a few potential paths ahead of him. One option is to face off against some of the younger, up-and-coming talent in the division. Fighters like Ian Garry, who is also coming off a loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, could provide a solid challenge while also offering Covington the opportunity to reassert himself as a contender. Other rising stars like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, eager to break into the rankings, could also make for lucrative matchups that keep Covington relevant while giving him a chance to rebuild his momentum.

Alternatively, Covington could opt to face some of the older, veteran fighters in the division, with a third bout against Kamaru Usman standing out. Usman, who has struggled in his last three fights, could be a prime target for Covington to avenge both of his previous title losses and stay afloat at 170lbs.

The big question is whether Dana White will give Covington a chance to fight either the rising talent or the veteran contenders. Given Covington’s name recognition and his ability to stir up interest with his personality, it’s likely that he’ll get a fight that keeps him in the mix, whether that’s against a younger fighter or another veteran. How do you see Covington’s future panning out? Tell us in the comment section below!