“I don’t understand why” – Kamaru Usman gets honest about Colby Covington leaving the UFC 

Kamaru Usman recently shared his thoughts on Colby Covington’s decision to retire from the UFC.

The UFC confirmed Covington’s official status as retired on the company website earlier this month. The former interim welterweight champion was one of the most well-known fighters on the UFC roster and was notorious for his outspoken personality. He was coming off a third-round TKO loss against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

Covington was notably campaigning for a spot on the UFC White House card next month. However, the American was left out, and many theorized that it inspired his decision to retire from the promotion.

In an episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman didn’t agree with the narrative that Covington left the UFC due to being snubbed off the White House card and said:

“I don’t know if it’s necessarily as deep as saying he’s [doing it] out of spite because of the White House card, I don’t think it’s necessarily that deep. Honestly, the activity is much less, and he has expressed his willingness to want to get in there, to want to fight and be compensated the way he feels that is necessary.”

He added:

“There’s a lot of unhappiness, disgruntlement from not just Covington, but quite a few different athletes… For him, I don’t understand why [he retire], because let’s be honest, any fight Covington is going to be in is going to be a fight that you want to keep your eye on, because either you like him or you hate him, you want to see this guy.” [H/t: MMA Junkie]

Watch the full video below:

When Colby Covington sounded off on UFC brass for White House card snub

Earlier this year, Colby Covington expressed his frustration with the UFC leaving him out of the White House card. Covington also admitted that he thought he’d be a “shoo-in” for the event, given his outspoken support for POTUS Donald Trump.

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Covington got honest about his feelings about the matter and said:

“You’re the face that runs the place, Hunter [Campbell]. You make these decisions. If you don’t think I’m worthy of the White House card, then so be it. That’s your call.’ I’ve accepted everything that they’ve given to me.”

He added:

“I thought that I was a shoo-in for that spot. I’m the one that brought Trump into UFC back in 2018 when no one was supporting him. There wasn’t an athlete alive that was walking around Times Square supporting him like I was, wearing the MAGA hat in Times Square with my belt and going to media tours.” [H/t: MMA Junkie]