‘Should retire’ – UFC fans mock Colby Covington after Hulk Hogan streak ends with brutal loss in Tampa

Hulk Hogan failed to inspire Colby Covington to victory at UFC Tampa on Saturday night.

Covington was on his way back from a UFC title loss to Leon Edwards last December.

5

5

He has chipped away in a bid to secure an undisputed goal in Dana White’s promotion for years, but the chase may now be over.

‘Kaos’ showed little in the way of attacking prowess against Edwards in his last fight and it was much the same picture against Joaquin Buckley on Saturday night.

Buckley dominated Covington and left his eye open before the UFC Tampa doctor stopped the fight in the third round.

“I know you wanted to see a knockout,” Buckley, who is now on a six-fight UFC winning streak, said to Michael Bisping in his post-fight Octagon interview.

“My bad. I should have rushed the first round and gotten it to you all.

“I have to thank God for putting me here and really blessing me to chase my dreams.

“I’m not only chasing my dreams, but giving myself the confidence to chase them because now I can provide for my family, take care of my grandmother (and) give my kids a life I never had. It’s a beautiful situation. “

Buckley continues to confirm that his sights are set on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman for his next fight, with Edwards and current champion Belal Muhammad also on the list.

Usman has not fought in the UFC since his defeat to Khamzat Chimaev in October 2023.

For the former no. 6-ranked welterweight Covington, the fight marked a fourth UFC loss in his last six fights.

5

5

The 36-year-old is now left in a difficult position where he may have to take on an unpleasant fight with a much lower ranked opponent if he wants to continue his push for a UFC title.

Covington embodied his All-American persona as he usually does when he took to the Octagon alongside other American stars with Real American flare at Tampa’s Amalie Arena.

Wrestling legend Hogan followed the former UFC welterweight title challenger, waving the American flag high and proud, with UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen also at his side.

“I came to tell you that when you’re the greatest fighter in the world today, they’ve got a name for you,” Sonnen saidregarding Covington before the game.

“They don’t call you a great fighter, they call you ‘Chaos’ Covington.”

But now with Buckley ranked no. 9 in the welterweight division before the fight, Covington can now fight to find himself in a top 10 position in his division.

5

MMA fans were quick to react to Covington’s defeat in typical fashion.

One took to X and said, “Colby Covington making his grand entrance playing crickets and then going out against a mid-level guy in the main event on a random TV card is the perfect end to his silly career.”

While another added: “Domination tonight from Joaquin Buckley. Colby looks completely washed up.”

And a third commented: “Colby should retire. “He doesn’t seem to have it anymore.”

UFC president White responded to the fight, saying that he would have been curious to see the fight go the full five rounds and that it ‘100 percent’ should have continued.

Although he then added that Covington wouldn’t have been too bothered by the stoppage as his cut ‘definitely bothered him’.