Colby Covington isn’t talking about title shots anymore; he’s talking about the clock. After nearly 14 years in MMA, the former UFC interim welterweight champion is now openly acknowledging that the end is closer than ever. But this admission isn’t just about a slowing body; it’s fueled by months of professional frustration and a fight that could’ve been made but wasn’t.

At 38 years old, with a 17-5 record and losses in three of his last four fights, the conversation has shifted from “what’s next?” to “how much is left?” And when you look at the numbers, it makes sense. He hasn’t fought since late 2024, has been sidelined for over 14 months, and currently sits outside the title picture at No. 14 in the rankings.

For a fighter who once headlined pay-per-views and pushed champions like Kamaru Usman to the limit, that’s a noticeable drop. So when Covington speaks now, it carries a different weight. And this time, he didn’t leave much room for interpretation.

“For UFC, in the next year or so, I will probably be done with it,” he told streamer Neon (N3on). “My body is slowing down.”

That was it. No buildup, no character work or persona to be seen, just a fighter being honest about where he stands.

Covington hasn’t just been inactive; he’s been frustrated, as he was also snubbed for the White House card. He’s publicly called out the UFC for not offering him fights, claiming he’s been left “sitting around for the last 14 months” without a chance to compete or earn.

“They haven’t offered me one f— fight. Like, they’re supposed to be offering me three fights a year by contractual law,” the welterweight veteran told Submission Radio a few days ago. “So, you know, I’m not trying to get into a suing match or pi— match, but it’s just not fair to me, you know? Like, they’re not giving me an opportunity to earn. It’s sh— because it’s like, dude, not only are you not giving me a chance to earn, you’re not letting me earn anywhere else.”

But there’s also the physical side. He’s coming off back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards in a title fight and Joaquin Buckley via doctor stoppage. In both fights, durability and pace, which were once his biggest strengths, didn’t hold up the same way. Against Edwards, a broken foot early in the fight changed everything. Against Buckley, damage accumulated before the medical professionals stepped in and called a halt to the contest. These aren’t just losses; they’re signals that point towards the end of the road for the veteran.

Because if the next year really is the final stretch, then every fight, if he gets one, becomes significant—not just for rankings, but for legacy. Love him or hate him, Colby Covington was part of some of the biggest welterweight fights of the last decade, from his wars with Usman to his rivalry with Jorge Masvidal. And before he walks away, he’s now hoping for a fight with a rising star in Bo Nickal.

Colby Covington dares Bo Nickal to face him at welterweight with his “ginger bowl cut”

Instead of quietly winding things down, ‘Chaos’ had picked a new target for a fight on the White House card, and it’s a name from the next generation, Bo Nickal. But if you were expecting a simple callout, that’s not how Covington operates. He flipped the narrative almost immediately. Despite this, the UFC snubbed them both.

Nickal then suggested that Covington had turned down the fight on White House card. Covington pushed back immediately, saying no such offer ever came his way. Then he went a step further, challenging the rising middleweight to meet him on his terms, likely on another card.

“You won’t stop talking about us being the same weight, which is honestly refreshing to hear because I’m 190 pounds right now and will weigh 170 without a problem on a full camp,” Covington said on his YouTube channel. “So if we’re the same weight like you claim, that means you’re 190 pounds right now, and full camp should get you down to 170, as well. I propose we do this in a weight class where one of us is ranked, and there are actual stakes. So, how about bring that stupid ginger bowl cut down to 170 pounds, and I’ll grant your wish to fight the biggest name in the welterweight division. We could do it this summer, too, if you want.”

At the same time, he dismissed the idea that he’s obligated to take the matchup. In a lengthy rant, he questioned Nickal’s resume, criticized his path to the UFC, and suggested the rising star hasn’t faced the same level of adversity. He also made it clear he wouldn’t step in and take an opportunity away from another fighter already booked for the card.

That’s where things get telling. Because, despite calling Nickal out, Covington revealed the only fight he’s actually been offered is against the winner of Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott. This presents a very different scenario, as one fight keeps him in the welterweight mix while the other is more spectacle than substance.

So now the question becomes, does Colby Covington spend his final year chasing meaningful fights in his division, or does he lean into these cross-divisional moments to stay in the spotlight a little longer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.