Covington says Masvidal will return: 'It's a fake retirement'

Jorge Masvidal retired from mixed martial arts earlier in April, but Colby Covington doesn't think his rival has left the Octagon for good.

"It's a fake retirement," Covington told Inside Fighting's Andrew Capucetti in an interview published Monday. "We all know people in the UFC that don't retire. ... (Masvidal) doesn't know how to make money any other way but fighting."

Masvidal, 38, seemed content with his decision to walk away following his fourth straight defeat, a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in his hometown of Miami. He had been fighting professionally since 2003 and said he no longer felt like he was in his prime.

Masvidal also said that he had no plans to compete in a different combat sport and would focus on promoting MMA and boxing events.

Covington and Masvidal squared off in March 2022, with Covington using his grappling to win a lopsided decision in their highly anticipated grudge match. The two welterweight stars were training partners and close friends before a falling-out, so Covington knows Masvidal better than most.

"I can guarantee you he'll be back to get a paycheck," Covington said.

Masvidal is facing felony charges of aggravated battery and criminal mischief due to an alleged attack on Covington in Miami Beach on March 21, 2022, just over two weeks after their fight.

Covington said he's willing to face Masvidal again in the Octagon and is confident the result would remain unchanged.

"Anywhere you want to fight, man, it's easy money," Covington said. "The only way he's going to beat me is if he runs behind me, hides in the bushes, and hits me in the back of the head."