Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings due to prolonged inactivity. His last fight was against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, which ended in a stoppage loss. Since that defeat, Covington has not competed inside the octagon. Instead, he has been involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and has made appearances at RAF events. The UFC typically removes fighters from rankings after extended periods without booking or competing in fights.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings following an extended stretch of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, carries a professional record of 17-5 and had long been one of the welterweight division's most polarizing figures. Known by the nickname "Chaos," the American fighter out of MMA Masters built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite wrestling, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His last octagon appearance ended in a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley in 2024, and he has not competed since.
Buckley, the man who handed Covington that defeat, currently sits at number 11 in the welterweight rankings with a record of 21-8. The 32-year-old southpaw from Murcielago MMA stands five-foot-ten with a 76-inch reach and averages 3.88 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the division's more dangerous stand-up threats.
Away from competition, Covington has been occupied with a civil lawsuit involving fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal and has made appearances at RAF events. Masvidal, 41, holds a record of 35-17 and remains a recognizable name at 170 pounds, though the two men's dispute has played out in courtrooms rather than the cage.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal creates movement in the welterweight top 15, opening a ranking spot for active contenders.
- His path back to a ranked position would require a return to competition and a notable victory.
- The UFC's inactivity policy reinforces that sustained absence carries tangible consequences for a fighter's divisional standing.
