Colby Covington Walkaround Weight: How Many Pounds Does He Cut for His Fights?

Colby Covington’s name often sparks debate, but one thing he has consistently stood by is his approach to weight management in the UFC. Weight cutting, a practice that has become synonymous with the fight game, isn’t just a strategy—it’s a gamble. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has long criticized the practice, likening it to “sanctioned cheating”. During the JRE MMA Show episode no. 163, Rogan stated, “No one should be cutting weight, kids”, and called for a system that measures fighters at their natural size.

This statement lends more credence to Colby Covington’s approach towards handling one the most grueling part of getting ready for a fight! Why? ‘Chaos’ competes in the UFC’s welterweight division, but surprisingly, he doesn’t put himself through the same rigors as many other fighters do. So, let’s take a look at Covington’s unique approach to managing his weight and more!

How much does Colby Covington normally weigh?

Colby Covington competes in the 170-pound (welterweight) division of the UFC and is currently ranked #6 in the division. However, like almost all other UFC fighters, he walks around heavier than his division limit. Although there is no confirmation about his walk-around weight, there are certain speculations about it.

According to reports, Covington walks around between 180-185 pounds, only 10-15 lbs higher than the 170 welterweight limit. This is actually quite uncommon among UFC fighters, who weigh significantly higher than their weight division limit. Many fighters such as Aljamain Sterling, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Alex Pereira have been open about finding weight cuts extremely taxing on their bodies.

In 2020, after Leon Edwards vs. Tyron Woodley was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘Chaos’ volunteered to step in at short notice. Covington told ESPN that he would have no problem making weight for the bout in five days, which would have been extremely hard if he was significantly heavier than 170. Additionally, he also weighed in as backup for UFC 286 in a surprise move at the last minute, earning the title shot.

But the willingness to go against the grain and refusal to cut dangerous amounts of weight is also the reason why Colby Covington believes he should be on the top of the P4P (pound-for-pound) lists in the MMA sphere!

Colby Covington doesn’t cut a lot of weight

Colby Covington’s approach to weight management isn’t just about winning fights—it’s about redefining what it means to be a “real fighter“! Ahead of his UFC 296 bout against Leon Edwards, going for the elusive UFC gold, ‘Chaos’ had revealed a surprising detail about his approach to his diet and weight cuts.

During the UFC embedded, as he dove into a steak dinner, Covington stated, “We eating good, baby. Let me know who’s going to be eating like this seven days out from a fight, no one.” But the man known for his unfiltered jabs didn’t stop there. He further shared, “I don’t cut weight, though. I’m a real fighter. I fight at my natural weight class because I know I’m the best fighter in the world.”

In a sport where size often dominates, his strategy is a breath of fresh air. But it also raises questions: Could his principles hold him back from capitalizing on physical advantages? Well, Covington didn’t think so as he took aim at Islam Makhachev, the current P4P king in the UFC, and stated, “I’m not a weight bully like Islam Makhachev who has to cut all that weight to have an advantage over midgets and beat those guys up. That’s why I’m the number one pound-for-pound fighter on Earth, because I fight at my natural weight class.”

Covington also credited his method for his elite cardio—an engine that never seems to sputter, even in the championship rounds. By avoiding drastic cuts, he believes he can preserve his energy, ensuring he performs at his peak when it matters most.

With that being said, ‘Chaos’ will need every bit of gas he has when he takes on the surging Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa/UFC on ESPN 63 as ‘New Mansa’ is riding high on a 5-fight win streak! Will the cardio advantage that comes from a lack of cutting weight lead to Colby Covington drowning his opponent in the cage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!