Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to lack of fighting activity. His last bout was against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, which he lost by stoppage. Despite being removed from the rankings, Covington has remained active outside the octagon, currently involved in a lawsuit with Jorge Masvidal and competing in RAF events. The removal from rankings typically occurs when fighters have extended periods without booking or competing in UFC bouts.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings following an extended period of inactivity, the promotion confirmed on April 21, 2026.
Covington, 38, finishes his UFC ranking tenure with a professional record of 17-5. Known by the nickname "Chaos," the American fighter out of MMA Masters built his reputation as one of the division's most relentless wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His last octagon appearance came in 2024 against Joaquin Buckley, a fight he lost by stoppage. Despite the setback, Covington has remained publicly visible, participating in RAF events and currently engaged in a lawsuit involving fellow welterweight Jorge Masvidal.
The fighter who handed Covington that final loss, Buckley, holds a record of 21-8 and currently sits at number 11 in the welterweight division. The 32-year-old southpaw from Murcielago MMA carries a 76-inch reach and lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the more dangerous strikers in the 170-pound weight class.
Masvidal, the other figure connected to Covington through ongoing legal proceedings, is a 41-year-old orthodox welterweight out of American Top Team. He carries a record of 35-17 and lands 4.05 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens a rankings spot in an already competitive welterweight division
- His absence from the rankings reflects a broader inactivity stretch that followed his stoppage loss to Buckley
- Any future UFC return would likely require Covington to work his way back into ranked contention
