Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC's official welterweight rankings due to prolonged inactivity. Covington's last fight was a 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley, where he was finished. Since that defeat, Covington has not competed in the UFC, leading to his removal from the rankings system. The post notes that while Covington is no longer ranked, he remains involved in legal proceedings with Jorge Masvidal and has competed for the RAF promotion. The UFC typically removes fighters from rankings after extended periods without booking or competing in official UFC bouts.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC's official welterweight rankings after an extended stretch without competing in a UFC bout, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, carried a 17-5 record into his most recent appearance, a 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley in which he was finished. Since that defeat, "Chaos" has not returned to the UFC cage. The Nevada native trains out of MMA Masters and built his reputation as one of the division's elite wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes over his career — a figure that made him a persistent threat against virtually any opponent. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Covington also logged 3.81 significant strikes landed per minute, reflecting the relentless pace he brought to each outing.
The fighter who ended Covington's ranked run, Joaquin Buckley, currently sits at number 11 in the welterweight division. "New Mansa," 32, fights out of a southpaw stance and possesses a 76-inch reach at five-foot-ten, giving him an unusually long frame for the weight class. Buckley carries a 21-8 record and has averaged 3.88 significant strikes per minute throughout his career.
Away from competition, Covington remains involved in ongoing legal proceedings with former training partner Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal, 41, holds a 35-17 record and trains out of American Top Team. The UFC has also noted that Covington has competed for the RAF promotion during his absence from the organization's roster.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal clears a ranked slot in a welterweight division already in flux, creating opportunities for contenders on the cusp of the top 15.
- His absence since the Buckley finish now officially registers in the rankings structure, rather than simply going unaddressed.
- Any UFC comeback would likely require Covington to fight his way back into the rankings rather than re-entering at a seeded position.
