Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about Colby Covington after his abrupt retirement.
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington informed the promotion of his decision to retire following a long hiatus from competition. After Covington was excluded from a spot on the upcoming White House card, the polarizing star’s future remained uncertain.
Covington hasn’t fought in MMA since a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024. If his MMA retirement remains steadfast, Covington’s final win came against former teammate and friend Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272.
During his controversial rise in the UFC welterweight division, one of Covington’s biggest verbal targets was former UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley. Covington went on to defeat Woodley in September 2020 by TKO after Woodley suffered a rib injury in Round 5.
After years of trash talk from Covington towards Woodley, the former welterweight titleholder didn’t miss the opportunity to get the last laugh as Covington entered retirement.
Tyron Woodley: Colby Covington a ‘baiter who didn’t work hard’
In a recent interview with New Betting Sites UK, Woodley reacted to Covington’s UFC retirement and opined on his legacy.
“His whole brand was modeled around an act that he was such a Trump supporter, America this and that, when really he was just a Drake-listening, Beats headphones-wearing, hanging out in Miami, thinking he’s a gangster guy, who put on an act and a character,” Woodley said of Covington.
“Your whole thing was baiting. Colby was piggybacking that because it was causing controversy. He wanted to create his own version of being a heel but in MMA. I paid Colby weekly to be a training partner for Rory just to torture him. He was an opportunist who took advantage of a quiet moment in MMA. I would say he’s tough. I would say he’s durable.
“I would say he’s a person who doesn’t work very hard, but he has crazy cardio,” Woodley continued on Covington. “People hated him in the gym because he wouldn’t work very hard, but he had a gas tank, and he knew staying close to you was the best for him. He found a way to do that. He talked himself into positions that his record and ranking weren’t ever in. The sport was quiet. Ronda was gone. Jon was chilling out. Conor was out, and nobody was there, so we were willing to listen to him. He’s an opportunist who took advantage of a moment where the sport was quiet with stars, and we were just willing to listen to WWE and go on the ride with him. That’s his legacy.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
As of this writing, Covington hasn’t responded to Woodley’s remarks.
What’s your favorite memory from Colby Covington’s UFC career? Let us know in the comments!