Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of activity. Covington last fought in 2024 when he lost by stoppage to Joaquin Buckley. Since then, Covington has been involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has competed in the RAF promotion. The UFC typically removes fighters from rankings after extended periods of inactivity. Covington's removal reflects the organization's policy of keeping rankings current with active competitors.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings, with the organization removing the 38-year-old from the divisional standings due to extended inactivity.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," carries a professional record of 17-5 and competes out of MMA Masters. Standing five feet eleven inches tall with a 72-inch reach, he built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless pressure fighters, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career — an elite rate at welterweight. His last octagon appearance came in 2024, when he was stopped by Joaquin Buckley, a defeat that effectively ended his run as a ranked contender.
Since that loss, Covington has been occupied outside the cage, becoming involved in a legal dispute with former training partner Jorge Masvidal and taking a fight in the RAF promotion rather than returning to the UFC.
Buckley, the man who ended Covington's ranking run, is currently sitting at number 11 in the welterweight division with a record of 21-8. The 32-year-old southpaw from Murcielago MMA stands five feet ten inches and carries a 76-inch reach, averaging 3.88 significant strikes per minute.
Masvidal, 41, holds a career record of 35-17 and trains out of American Top Team. The orthodox fighter stands five feet eleven inches with a 74-inch reach and has averaged 4.05 significant strikes landed per minute throughout his career.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens a rankings slot and signals the UFC is actively pruning inactive fighters from the welterweight picture.
- The welterweight division remains highly competitive, meaning any extended absence carries a steep cost in divisional positioning.
- His outside legal and promotional activity suggests no imminent UFC return was forthcoming, making the ranking cut a reflection of reality rather than a surprise.
