Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington will be returning to action at UFC Tampa/UFC on ESPN 63 after nearly a year away! One of the most polarizing fighters in the promotion due to his knack for intense trash talk, Covington’s last appearance inside the cage was anything but triumphant. A humbling loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in his third attempt at claiming the undisputed welterweight crown. For a fighter who built his reputation on brash confidence, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.

In a rare glimpse at the man behind the persona, Covington recently admitted on the UFC Journey series, “I lost and forgot who I was. It was a good reminder that woke me up again.” Now, as he prepares to face Joaquin Buckley in the UFC Tampa main event, the question lingers, is this the start of Covington’s final act? Because he has made a bold statement that may catch UFC boss Dana White’s attention! 

Colby Covington lays out the timeline for when he plans to hang up his gloves

During a recent livestream on Twitch, Colby Covington confessed that he knows the clock is ticking on his UFC career. The fighter, known for his verbal sparring as much as his wrestling revealed, “How much longer do I see myself fighting? Probably like 2-3 years. I took good care of my body and my brain.”

Attributing his longevity to avoiding punishing sparring sessions and stating that his “wits” are still intact, ‘Chaos’ shared that he’s now focusing on chasing only the most lucrative and high-profile matchups. But don’t mistake this as an open invitation for challengers. Covington made it clear, “I’m not gonna waste my time. I’m not looking to fight jobbers and people that do nothing for my career.”

For Covington, only fighters with big names, skill sets, and personalities make the cut. So when should the UFC and Dana White expect his retirement announcement? Covington stated, “If there’s some good fighters out there, big names and some personalities, then I plan on fighting a couple more fights, 5-6.”

This mindset brings an added weight to his matchup against Buckley. While some see the fight as a risky move, Covington views it as a chance to make a statement. How does he plan on doing that? During the same livestream, the former interim welterweight champion stated, “I’m gonna f—– pull his underwear over his head in the middle of that Octagon. Then, I’m gonna smack him silly and finish him.”

So, what does the future hold for ‘Chaos’? Dana White and the UFC brass will surely take note of his comments, as his star power remains undeniable. But will Covington’s refusal to “fight jobbers” limit his opportunities, or will it elevate his standing as a fighter who only faces the best? Only time will tell. For now, all eyes will be on Colby Covington’s clash against the surging Joaquin Buckley. But according to a top 10 UFC welterweight, ‘Chaos’ might just possess the one weapon that can end ‘New Mansa’s run through the division!

‘Durinho’ reveals Covington has Joaquin Buckley’s ‘kryptonite’ in his arsenal

The clash between Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley promises fireworks, and according to Gilbert Burns, the answer might hinge on wrestling—Buckley’s Achilles’ heel. During a recent conversation on Submission Radio, ‘Durinho’ used the example of Buckley’s 2018 loss against Logan Storley in Bellator. Back then, Storley’s wrestling was a tidal wave, sweeping Buckley off his feet and battering him with relentless ground-and-pound.

As such, Burns stated, “One of my favorite teammates is Logan Storley, he was the interim Bellator champ, he fought Buckley, and Logan just outwrestled him.”  He further claimed that he believes Covington possesses the same tools as he shared, “Destroyed him with ground-and-pound, and that’s something that Colby really can do.”

Covington’s endless cardio and ability to grind opponents down might also pose an obstacle that Buckley may struggle to overcome as Burns pointed out, “Buckley’s a big guy with a lot of muscle. If Buckley cannot put Colby out of there in the first or the second round, I think Colby will overwhelm him and beat him up.”

To wrap things up, the stage is set for a clash of styles and wills! Colby Covington’s relentless pace and grinding wrestling against Joaquin Buckley’s explosive power and surging momentum. Can ‘Chaos’ impose his will and prove that his path to redemption is more than just talk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!