Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings following an extended period of inactivity. Covington last fought in 2024 when he suffered a stoppage loss to Buckley. Since that defeat, Covington has not competed inside the octagon. Instead, he has been involved in legal proceedings with Jorge Masvidal and has made appearances at RAF events. The UFC typically removes fighters from rankings after prolonged absences from competition.
Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings after an extended stretch without competition, the promotion confirmed amid its standard policy of dropping inactive fighters from the official listings.
Covington, 38, finishes his ranked tenure with a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses. The American wrestler out of MMA Masters built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless pressers, averaging 3.81 significant strikes per minute and 3.64 takedown attempts per 15 minutes across his career. His last octagon appearance came in 2024, when he suffered a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley — a defeat that halted whatever momentum remained from his two welterweight title challenges.
Since that loss, Covington has stayed away from competition entirely. He has been occupied with legal proceedings involving former training partner and longtime rival Jorge Masvidal, and has made public appearances at Real American Fighter events. With no fight booked and no imminent return on the horizon, the UFC exercised its standard policy and stripped him of his ranking.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal creates an opening in the welterweight top 15 that could benefit fighters currently on the rankings bubble
- His absence leaves a notable void in the division's trash-talk ecosystem, where he was one of the most recognizable names
- At 38 and coming off a stoppage defeat, any path back to a ranked position would require a return to competition followed by a winning streak
