Colby Covington removed from UFC rankings amid scrutiny

TL;DR

Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings for the first time since 2017. His inactivity and recent losses led to scrutiny over his ranking status.

Key points

Colby Covington removed from UFC welterweight rankings
Last ranked since 2017
Inactivity and recent losses led to scrutiny

Colby CovingtonMike MalottYaroslav AmosovJoaquin Buckley

You no longer have to ask the question, "Why is Colby Covington still in the official UFC welterweight rankings?" He's finally been removed.

With Mike Malott and Yaroslav Amosov entering the top 15, the latest edition of the UFC's 170-pound rankings revealed Tuesday did not include Covington for the first time since 2017.

Covington's status as a top-15 welterweight came under scrutiny in January when UFC CEO Dana White agreed it was odd to have him still ranked (then at No. 14) in a stacked division considering his inactivity. Covington fought only once in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. His most recent fight was a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024, and he hasn't won since defeating now-retired Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.

Covington shrugged off criticism from White and also fans calling for his removal from the UFC rankings.

"It really doesn't matter what Dana White thinks of me," Covington told reporters in January. "I'm a world champion. I'm Donald Trump's favorite fighter. I'm America's champion. I'm the king of Miami. You can never take those titles away from me. Take me out of those rankings, but whatever, I'm still the biggest draw at welterweight. It makes no difference what number is next to my name. I know what I'm capable of, and I know I'm still the best fighter and wrestler on planet Earth."

Covington had hoped to fight at the White House on June 14, but his self-proclaimed status as "Donald Trump's favorite fighter" wasn't enough to land him a spot on the UFC Freedom 250 card, which he admittedly was "bummed" about, and there seemingly are no imminent plans for the 38-year-old to return to the octagon.

Covington competed in Real American Freestyle earlier this year, defeating Dillon Danis by technical fall, and is expected to headline RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 'Donald Trump's favorite fighter' ousted from UFC rankings

Q&A

Why was Colby Covington removed from the UFC rankings?

Colby Covington was removed due to his inactivity and recent losses, which raised questions about his ranking in a competitive welterweight division.

When was Colby Covington last ranked in the UFC?

Colby Covington was last ranked in the UFC welterweight rankings on Tuesday, marking the end of his ranking since 2017.

What is Colby Covington's recent fight history?

Colby Covington's recent fight history includes a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024, and he has not won a fight since defeating Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.