Covington Beats Weidman by Split Decision at RAF 09, Says He Is Retired from UFC

Colby Covington defeated Chris Weidman by a 5-4 decision at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas. Covington, the former UFC interim welterweight champion, weighed more than 190 pounds for the bout. After the match Covington stated he is retired from the UFC and has no plans to face Bo Nickal.

“He’s a spoiled little brat, you know, he’s not about this company,” Covington said. ” Covington listed several fighters he considers higher priority. “He hasn’t made a name in the UFC yet. Who’s he beat that’s even ranked?

That’s right, nobody, so I got bigger and better business with some stars,” he said. “You know, like Arman’s a star, want (Khamzat Chimaev), you know, he’s a star. Marty Usman, you know, Palestinian Pinocchio: Belal Muhammad.

Covington is scheduled to wrestle Arman Tsarukyan in the main event at RAF 11 on July 18 in Milwaukee. Nickal, a three-time NCAA champion and four-time finalist from Penn State, won the inaugural RAF light heavyweight title at the promotion’s first event. Nickal was stripped of that title earlier in 2026 after the weight-class limit rose from 205 to 215 pounds.

The 30-year-old middleweight holds an 8-1 MMA record, including a 5-1 mark in the UFC, with his most recent victory a first-round knockout of Rodolfo Vieira on November 15, 2025. Nickal is set to face Kyle Daukaus on June 14 at UFC Freedom 250 at The White House. He called out 2026 NCAA champion Max McEnelly in March 2026 and has not indicated when he will return to the RAF mat.