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 removed from the rankings, Covington remains active in other capacities, including a lawsuit against Jorge Masvidal and appearances with the Russian promotion RAF. The removal from rankings follows UFC policy regarding fighter inactivity and opens up spots in the welterweight rankings. Covington has not announced any upcoming fights at this time.
Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings, with the promotion citing its standard inactivity policy as the reason for the decision, announced on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17-5 and had spent years as one of the division's most recognizable figures. The American fighter, who trains out of MMA Masters and competes out of an orthodox stance, owns a reach of 72 inches and built much of his reputation on elite wrestling, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His last octagon appearance came in 2024, when he was stopped by Joaquin Buckley, a loss that proved to be his final bout before the rankings removal. Covington has not announced any upcoming fights.
The man who handed Covington that final defeat, Buckley — known as "New Mansa" — currently sits at number 11 in the welterweight division with a record of 21-8. The 32-year-old southpaw out of Murcielago MMA stands five-foot-ten with a 76-inch reach and lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more dangerous finishers in the 170-pound bracket.
Away from competition, Covington remains visible outside the cage. He is involved in an ongoing lawsuit against former training partner and fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal, and has made appearances with the Russian promotion RAF. Masvidal, now 41 and carrying a record of 35-17, competes out of American Top Team and has his own lengthy history in the welterweight division.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens ranking slots in an already competitive welterweight division, accelerating movement for fighters just outside the top ten.
- The UFC's inactivity policy, applied here regardless of Covington's public profile, signals consistent enforcement across the roster.
- With no fight announced, it remains unclear whether Covington will pursue a return to reclaim a ranked position.
