Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of fighting activity. His last bout was against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, which ended in a stoppage loss. Since that defeat, Covington has not competed in the octagon. Instead, he has been involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has appeared in the Russian promotion RAF. The UFC typically removes fighters from rankings after extended periods of inactivity to maintain current and relevant standings.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings after an extended period away from competition, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17-5 and built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. The American, who trains out of MMA Masters and fights out of an orthodox stance, last stepped into the octagon in 2024 when he suffered a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley. He has not competed since, and the UFC moved to remove him from the standings in line with its standard inactivity policy.
Buckley, the fighter who handed Covington that defeat, currently sits ranked 11th in the welterweight division at 32 years old. The New Mansa carries a record of 21-8 and is a southpaw with a 76-inch reach, averaging 3.88 significant strikes per minute with a 36 percent striking accuracy.
Away from competition, Covington has been occupied on two fronts. He appeared for the Russian promotion RAF and has also been entangled in a legal dispute with fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal, 41, carries a record of 35-17 and fights out of American Top Team, landing 4.05 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens a rankings spot in an already competitive welterweight division
- His absence following a stoppage loss and legal distractions raises questions about his future in the UFC
- The UFC's inactivity policy keeps divisional standings reflective of fighters currently competing
