Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of recent fights. His last bout was against Buckley in 2024, which he lost via stoppage. Since then, Covington has been involved in legal proceedings with Jorge Masvidal and has competed in RAF instead of the UFC. The removal from rankings is standard UFC protocol for fighters who remain inactive for extended periods. Covington's future with the promotion remains uncertain.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings after an extended period of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17-5 and built his reputation as one of the welterweight division's most durable and relentless competitors. The American wrestler, who trains out of MMA Masters and fights out of an orthodox stance, owns a 72-inch reach and has long been known for his pressure-heavy style, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His last appearance inside the UFC octagon came in 2024, when he suffered a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley. Since then, Covington has not returned to competition in the UFC, instead taking a bout under the RAF banner while simultaneously navigating ongoing legal proceedings involving former training partner Jorge Masvidal.
Why it matters
- Covington was a former interim welterweight champion and perennial title contender; his exit from the rankings reshapes the division's top picture.
- Under standard UFC protocol, fighters who remain inactive for an extended stretch are removed from official rankings, making this a procedural move rather than a release.
- Should Covington seek a return to the UFC, he would need to re-establish his ranking position through active competition.
- His future with the promotion is currently unclear, leaving open questions about whether one of welterweight's most prominent figures of the past decade will compete in the UFC again.
