The UFC rankings are a very unique system. Unlike other systems such as college football or college basketball, the UFC and it's ranking system is internal. Of course many have argued and could argue that the UFC has used this to create hype for fighters they feel the fans will accept more willingly, such as Conor McGregor's quick run up the featherweight rankings. With this in mind the UFC does a good job with the rankings a great majority of the time, but it is important to look at what outside sources think. With all that being said here is my personal UFC pound for pound rankings.
#1 Demetrious Johnson
As long time fan #1 the UFC is now fully behind their flyweight champion. "Mighty Mouse" has cleaned out the UFC flyweight division and after his recent performance over Tim Elliot it would appear he has also cleaned out the world flyweight divison. Not much can be said negatively about the champion, as he combines phenomenal wrestling, with world class striking, and great jiu jitsu it appears as though Johnson will be king of the UFC and the flyweight division for years to come.
#2 Conor McGregor
The brash Irishman has taken the UFC by storm ever since his knockout of Marcus Brimage. Ever since "The Notorious" has used his great striking and huge mouth to increase not only his pay but his love from the UFC fans and hate from fellow UFC fighters. Aside from his loss to Nate Diaz, Conor is otherwise unblemished in the UFC beating many top level fighters and long time featherweight king and likely future UFC hall of famer Jose Aldo. Conor McGregor was also the first fighter to simultaneously hold two belts, however his inactivity at featherweight and a business decision forced the UFC to take this title from "The Notorious". Nonetheless, it cannot be denied that Conor McGregor cleaned out the featherweight division and destroyed the former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. It will be interesting to see what is next for Conor aside from fatherhood, he of course could stay at lightweight and fight Khabib Nurmagomedov or Tony Ferguson, or he could challenge Tyron Woodley for the welterweight title. Who knows what Conor wants to do but it is likely that whatever it is, we will know shortly after their is another McGrergor in the world.
#3 Cody Garbrandt
After much debate I have decided to give the #3 slot to "No Love". Much like Conor McGregor, Cody Garbrandt has also taken the UFC by storm after knocking out Marcus Brimage. At 25 years old Cody is poised to continue his reign atop the bantamweight division for quite some time. The biggest worry for "No Love" was his cardio, but after going 5 rounds with long time bantamweight king Dominick Cruz this worry is gone. Great power, phenomenal footwork and movement, and good wrestling are just a few of the things we have seen Cody showcase in his short time in the UFC.
#4 Jose Aldo
I strongly debated my 3 through 5 slots for a long while but I decided to look at them on a "what have you done for me lately" basis. While Aldo hasn't fought a great amount in the last 2 years, his 2nd win over Frankie Edgar certainly is a big one. Before his 13 second loss to "The Notorious" Conor McGregor Aldo was on a tear and had not lost since 2005 so that has a strong pull on his spot in the ratings. I personally am very excited for his upcoming match-up with interim champion Max Holloway. A win in that contest could in theory put Aldo in the conversation for the lightweight title and a shot to redeem his only UFC loss.
#5 Daniel Cormier
Daniel has managed to dominate the UFC's light heavyweight division. That is of course aside Jon Jones. That being said though DC's only title wins have came against Gustaffson and Johnson and while they are respectable fighters, they are far from fights you make a legacy on. If "DC" can continue his run though he is in a position to go down as a truly great champion.
#6 Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Aside from "Mighty Mouse" no one has dominated a division the way Joanna has. Joanna has absolutely ran through the straw weight division. Joanna is a world class striker and has passed every test she has seen in the cage with great clinch work and quality jiu jitsu. It will be interesting to see how long Joanna can continue her rain, as all of the straw weight women of the world are chasing her down.
#7 Stipe Miocic
The Cleveland born heavyweight is on top of the world right now. Ever since his loss to Junior Dos Santos Miocic has been on an absolute tear that has given him UFC gold. At this moment Miocic has no next fight planned, but Junior Dos Santos has been calling for a rematch so if he wins his next fight over Stefan Struve we could be looking at a rematch.
#8 Amanda Nunes
"The Lioness" just knocked out a legend and many people are still sleeping on her. Amanda is potentially a fight or two away from being a top 5 pound for pound fighter in the UFC but the question is "who is next?". Well in my UFC 207 review I have stated that she should be free to fight for the new featherweight title, but as this is not likely few names come to mind other than Raquel Pennington. "Rocky" has been dominant as of late even beating former champion Miesha Tate, so this should set her up for a title shot with "The Lioness"
#9 Tyron Woodley
Don't blink. When it comes to Tyron Woodley that is the #1 thing for fans to remember. This man posses great wrestling to go along with his super heavyweight hands!
#10 Dominick Cruz
The king has been dethroned. That being said though "The Dominator" is still one of the greatest fighters of all time and deserves to stay ranked. Cruz is best known for his striking and one of a kind movement that kept him on top for many years, along with quality wrestling. Dominick will almost certainly look at another run at his belt but whether or not he gets it does not change the fact he is one of the greats.
#11 Max Holloway
While my 11 and 12 spots are somewhat equal I went with Holloway simply because he posses the interim belt. It is hard to stop momentum and it will be interesting to see who can come away undisputed when he fights Jose Aldo
#12 Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib has managed to dominate the light weight division but despite this fact he is still belt-less. While he has expressed his feelings toward the UFC he partially has his injuries to blame. It is likely that Khabib will get his shot at the belt soon or at least an interim one potentially against Tony Ferguson. Regardless who he fights though Khabib will look to use his top level submission skills along with his phenomenal wrestling to control the fight.
#13 TJ Dillashaw
The former champion wants his belt back and he made that clear post fight at UFC 207. TJ Dillashaw will now be forced to take on a former teammate in Cody Garbrandt to earn his title back. TJ is a dominant wrestler with outstanding footwork and movement in his striking.
#14 Michael Bisping
"The Count" might actually be a vampire with his long career. With his first UFC appearance coming in 2006 Bisping is one of the most experienced men in the UFC. Michael is best known for his striking which he used to knockout former champion Luke Rockhold and to take a decision win over the legend Anderson Silva.
#15 Tony Ferguson
"El Cucuy" has now won 9 straight bouts in the UFC and is poised to get a title shot. Thanks to Conor McGregor though, Ferguson is in a similar bout with Khabib and it is likely that a bout between the two is imminent. Tony Ferguson is a very solid all around mixed martial artist who has shown fight stopping ability with both his striking and his submission skills, but as was seen in his last fight with Rafael Dos Anjos "El Cucuy" is not afraid to go the distance either.
Be on the lookout for future ranking articles and potential changes in my rankings! Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.
No comments:
Post a Comment