Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of recent fight activity. His last bout was against Buckley in 2024, which he lost by stoppage. The post notes that despite being removed from the rankings, Covington is currently involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has been competing in RAF. The removal highlights the UFC's policy of removing inactive fighters from official rankings. No information was provided about when or if Covington plans to return to UFC competition.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the official UFC welterweight rankings, with the promotion removing him due to a prolonged period of inactivity following his 2024 stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley.
Covington, 38, carries a professional record of 17-5 and built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless pressure fighters. Standing five feet eleven inches with a 72-inch reach, "Chaos" averaged 3.81 significant strikes per minute throughout his UFC career while posting an impressive 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that made him one of the most consistent wrestling-based threats in the welterweight division. His 2024 defeat to Buckley ended a run that had previously seen him compete for the welterweight title on multiple occasions, and no announcement has been made regarding a planned return to the octagon.
Adding to the uncertainty around his future, Covington is currently involved in an ongoing lawsuit with former training partner and fellow American Jorge Masvidal. The 41-year-old Masvidal, now holding a 35-17 record, remains one of the more recognizable names in the sport. "Gamebred" lands 4.05 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy and has shown versatility with 1.38 takedowns per 15 minutes as well. The legal dispute between the two former allies has drawn continued attention outside of competition.
Covington has also been active in RAF (Rumble Against the World) competition during his absence from UFC action, keeping himself busy outside the promotion's banner.
Why it matters
- The removal signals the UFC enforcing its inactivity policy regardless of a fighter's past profile or title history
- Covington's ranking slot opens space for active welterweights pushing toward title contention
- His ongoing legal situation with Masvidal adds an off-cage layer of uncertainty to any potential UFC return timeline
- No return bout or timeline has been confirmed, leaving his UFC future genuinely open
