標籤: fixes

The UFC has removed Colby Covington from its official welterweight rankings, ending his tenure in the top 15 as of 2017.

Covington was removed from the list in the latest edition of the 170-pound rankings released Tuesday, replacing Mike Malott and Yaroslav Amosov in the top 15. This removal brings an end to a situation that has been criticized for years.

In January, UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged that it was strange for Covington to still be ranked 14th in one of the sport’s most competitive divisions, given Covington’s prolonged inactivity. Covington fought only once in each of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. His most recent win was a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024, and his last win came against the now-retired Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.

Covington ignored the criticism at the time and focused on his public persona rather than engaging in the substance of the argument. “It doesn’t really matter what Dana White thinks about 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 happens, I’m still the greatest welterweight. It doesn’t matter 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.”

Despite his self-described status as Donald Trump’s favorite fighter, Covington failed to earn a spot at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14, a card for which he had publicly campaigned. He admitted that he was disappointed to miss the event and currently has no definite plans to return to the Octagon.

Covington has also been active outside of the UFC, competing in the Real American Freestyle earlier this year and defeating Dillon Danis by technical fall. He is expected to headline RAF 09 in Dallas on May 30, giving him a competitive outlet while his UFC future remains in limbo. This should also give fight fans hope that the UFC will accelerate the removal of inactive fighters from the rankings going forward.