Colby Covington removed from UFC rankings due to inactivity

Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings following an extended period of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.

Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses and competed most recently in 2024, when he suffered a stoppage defeat to Buckley. That loss proved to be his final appearance in the UFC octagon before the rankings committee moved to cut him from the official listings. The American fighter, who trains out of MMA Masters and competes out of an orthodox stance, built his reputation as one of the welterweight division's most relentless pressers, averaging 3.81 significant strikes landed per minute and 3.64 takedown attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach.

Away from competition, Covington has remained in the public eye through ongoing legal proceedings involving fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal. He has also seen action inside the cage through the RAF promotion, though that activity was not sufficient to maintain his UFC ranking status.

Why it matters

• The UFC applies an inactivity policy that removes fighters from official rankings when they go extended stretches without competing inside the promotion, and Covington's removal is a direct application of that rule.
• His exit from the rankings closes a chapter on one of the welterweight division's most prominent runs, which included title challenges and a long stretch inside the top five.
• The move reshuffles the divisional picture at 170 pounds, as other contenders may shift positions with Covington's slot now vacant.