Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to his extended absence from competition. His last fight was against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, which he lost via stoppage. Despite being taken out of the rankings, Covington remains active outside the octagon, currently involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and competing in the RAF (Real American Fight) promotion. The removal from rankings is a standard UFC protocol for fighters who remain inactive for an extended period without a scheduled bout.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings after an extended stretch without a scheduled fight, the organization applying its standard inactivity protocol to the former title contender.
Covington, 38, carries a professional record of 17-5 and competes out of MMA Masters. Known by his nickname "Chaos," the orthodox striker built his reputation on relentless pressure and a prolific wrestling game, averaging 3.64 takedowns 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 proved costly both in result and in the time that has since passed without a return booking.
Buckley, now ranked eleventh in the welterweight division at 32 years old, holds a record of 21-8 and has continued to make noise at 170 pounds since that victory. The southpaw out of Murcielago MMA owns a 76-inch reach and averages 3.88 significant strikes per minute.
While Covington is out of the rankings, he has not disappeared entirely from public view. He is currently involved in legal proceedings against fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal and has been competing in the RAF (Real American Fight) promotion. Masvidal, 41, carries a 35-17-0 record and trains out of American Top Team.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens space in a welterweight rankings picture that remains highly competitive
- His path back into the top fifteen will require booking a UFC fight and returning to active competition
- The ongoing lawsuit with Masvidal adds an off-octagon dimension that could complicate any potential future matchmaking
