Colby Covington signs with Hype Fighting Championship for submission grappling

Colby Covington has found a new home after retiring from MMA. The former interim UFC Welterweight Champion has signed with Hype Fighting Championship and is expected to compete for the promotion in submission grappling matches. The organization announced the signing on social media.

Covington has not competed in MMA since his last UFC appearance in December 2024, but he has remained active in wrestling, competing in four matches for RAF and winning all of them.

Colby Covington Begins New Chapter

With over a decade competing in the UFC, Covington announced his retirement from MMA last May after an 18-month period away from the Octagon. Throughout his long UFC career, the American challenged for the welterweight title on multiple occasions, winning the division's interim belt. Following his loss to Kamaru Usman in their 2019 title fight, Covington has gone through a difficult stretch, compiling a 2-4 record since then.

Although Covington has retired from MMA, the American apparently has no intention of stepping away from competition altogether.

Colby Covington Joins Growing Grappling Scene

The move also represents another step into competition outside MMA for Covington. The former UFC contender has already tested himself in wrestling through RAF, where he has won all four of his matches, defeating Luke Rockhold, Dillon Danis, Chris Weidman and Arman Tsarukyan.

Now, Covington will have the opportunity to test himself under submission grappling rules with Hype Fighting Championship.

With a background in collegiate wrestling and years of grappling experience in MMA, Covington will look to translate those skills into a different competitive environment. The promotion has yet to announce his first opponent or debut date.