Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to his lack of fights. Covington last competed against Buckley in 2024, losing by stoppage. Since then, he has been involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has been appearing in RAF events rather than competing in the UFC. The removal from rankings is standard procedure for fighters who remain inactive for extended periods. Covington's future in the UFC octagon remains uncertain.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC's official welterweight rankings following an extended period of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, nicknamed "Chaos," carries a professional record of 17-5 and is 38 years old. The American fighter out of MMA Masters last stepped into the octagon in 2024, suffering a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley. Known throughout his career for relentless pressure and elite wrestling, Covington averages 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes — one of the higher rates in the welterweight division. His removal follows standard UFC policy, which strips inactive fighters of their ranked positions after prolonged absences.
Since that defeat, Covington's time has been split between legal matters and combat sports outside the UFC. He has been involved in an ongoing lawsuit with former training partner and fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal, and has made appearances in RAF events rather than returning to compete under the UFC banner.
Masvidal, 41, holds a record of 35-17 and remains one of the more recognizable names in the 170-pound division. The "Gamebred" fighter out of American Top Team averages 4.05 significant strikes per minute with 47 percent striking accuracy.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens a ranking spot in a welterweight division already undergoing significant reshuffling
- His future in the UFC octagon is now openly uncertain, with no fight booked and outside commitments occupying his schedule
- The ongoing legal dispute with Masvidal adds an off-cage layer of uncertainty to any potential UFC return
- At 38, time is a factor if Covington intends to re-establish himself as a contender at welterweight
