Colby Covington is still looking to measure himself against the best, even after stepping away from MMA.
The former interim welterweight champion’s removal from the UFC roster came as a surprise last week.
Covington was taken off the UFC roster in April following a defeat to Leon Edwards at UFC 296. Since then, he hasn’t fought and has openly criticised Dana White and BMF champion Max Holloway.
Colby Covington confirmed on Wednesday that he’s retired from MMA, though he hasn’t completely ruled out a return. For now, Covington’s focus has shifted to competing in wrestling with Real American Freestyle (RAF).
Covington reveals his top five dream opponents
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Covington shared his list of five UFC stars he’d like to face in grappling matches.
“So, number one is a countryman of your country, Georges St-Pierre,” he said.
“Nothing’s ever going to substitute him. He’s the goat of the UFC, the goat of the welterweight division, so, of course, I want Georges St-Pierre. I want to see him back on that mat. I know the fans want to see him. We love him. I love him. Everybody respects him, so I would love to see ‘GSP’.
“Number two, probably Arman [Tsarukyan]. He’s talked a lot of smack and ran his mouth and said this and that, so I’d love to see Arman.
“Number three would be [Kamaru] Usman. This trilogy needs to happen. We have unfinished business from our UFC days, and I know I’m a better athlete than him, so I want to prove it. I want to prove the test of time that I’m a better athlete and a better winner.
“Khamzat, number four, and then number five, maybe that cross-eyed. What’s his name? That Palestinian, can’t remember his name. Uh, Belal Muhammad.”
Covington set for RAF 09 appearance
Covington has already posted a pair of wins in RAF, taking down both Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis.
He’ll be back on the mat again at RAF 09, facing former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Below is the complete card for RAF 09, taking place at the University of Texas in Arlington this Saturday:
- Heavyweight: Gable Steveson vs Alexandr Romanov
- Catchweight: Colby Covington vs Chris Weidman
- Light Heavyweight: Kyle Snyder (C) vs Givi Matcharashvili
- Lightweight: Merab Dvalishvili vs Frankie Edgar
- Featherweight: Ibragim Ilyasov vs Real Woods
- Middleweight: Christopher Minto vs Jason Nolf
- Cruiserweight: Parker Keckeisen vs Georgios Kougioumtsidis
- Lightweight: Zain Retherford vs Antrell Taylor
- Lightweight: Ridge Lovett vs Bajrang Punia
- Women’s Catchweight: Cameron Guerin vs Lucia Yepez
- Middleweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs Keelon Jimison
Read more:
