Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to prolonged inactivity. His last fight was against Buckley in 2024, which he lost by stoppage. Covington has not competed since that defeat. The post notes that while Covington is no longer ranked, he has been involved in legal proceedings with Jorge Masvidal and has competed in RAF events. The removal from rankings typically occurs when fighters have not competed in their division for an extended period.
Colby "Chaos" Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings following a prolonged stretch of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, enters this period away from the rankings with a professional record of 17-5. The American fighter, who trains out of MMA Masters and competes out of an orthodox stance, stands five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach. Known for his relentless pressure and wrestling-heavy output, he averages 3.81 significant strikes per minute and 3.64 takedown attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that once made him one of the most difficult fighters to deal with in the welterweight division. His last octagon appearance came in 2024, when he suffered a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley, and he has not competed in the UFC since.
The UFC's ranking system removes fighters who go extended periods without competing in their division, and Covington's absence has now crossed that threshold. Outside of competition, Covington has been involved in legal proceedings with former teammate Jorge Masvidal and has taken part in RAF events during his time away from the UFC.
Why it matters
- Covington was once a perennial top-five welterweight and a former interim champion, so his exit from the rankings signals a significant shift in the division's landscape.
- His removal opens up ranking spots for active welterweights pressing for recognition in a loaded 170-pound division.
- Any return to the UFC would likely require Covington to rebuild his ranking position from outside the top fifteen, raising questions about what opponent and context could bring him back.
