Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of fights. His last bout was against Buckley in 2024, which he lost by stoppage. Since then, Covington has not competed in the octagon. Instead, he has been involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has been competing in RAF (Russian promotional organization). The removal from rankings is a standard UFC procedure for fighters who remain inactive for extended periods.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings after an extended period away from competition, the promotion confirmed as part of its standard policy for inactive fighters.
Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17-5-0 and built his reputation as one of the welterweight division's most relentless grapplers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his UFC career. The American fighter out of MMA Masters last competed in 2024, suffering a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley. Since that defeat he has not returned to the octagon. Instead, Covington has taken bouts in RAF, a Russian promotional organization, and has been occupied with a civil lawsuit involving former training partner Jorge Masvidal.
Masvidal, 41, carries a record of 35-17-0 and competes out of American Top Team. The Miami native, known as Gamebred, lands 4.05 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent accuracy. The lawsuit between the two former allies has played out publicly, adding a legal dimension to what was already one of the division's more high-profile personal rivalries.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal clears a ranked slot in a welterweight division already undergoing significant reshuffling at the top.
- His activity outside the UFC, including bouts in a Russian promotion, raises questions about his standing with the organization going forward.
- The ongoing legal dispute with Masvidal keeps both fighters in the news despite neither currently being ranked.
