mma / Columns
Why the UFC Rankings System Is Flawed
When the UFC started instituting its ranking system, it seemed to be a positive step for the company. Obviously, the UFC does not always conduct its matchmakings based on how the top 15 fighters are ranked in each division, but it at least gives the roster and fans a sense of what level certain fighters are competing at. In addition, I would say more often than not, most of the fighters ranked in the top 5 of each of the divisions generally make sense more often than not. You can hem and haw over some of the placements, but most of the fighters in the rankings probably belong there. However, the ranking system is currently facing some seriously flaws, and the system right now really is having trouble putting fighters where they should be.
At UFC Fight Night 74, I remember being very impressed with Valerie Letourneau’s performance over a No. 8-ranked opponent, Maryna Moroz. Going into the fight, Moroz had an incredible UFC debut, upsetting the favorite Joanne Calderwood by submission. Moroz was undefeated at 6-0 and 1-0 in the UFC, but you can see an argument for ranking her in the top 10 because she had an incredible debut, finishing a top 10 and bigger name opponent. Going into the match-up with Moroz, Letourneau was only 7-3, but she was still 2-0 in the UFC in a fairly new division. Robert Winfree voiced that Letourneau probably should have been ranked already before her fight with Moroz. After winning a dominant and decisive victory over Moroz, if Letourneau should have been ranked as one of the top strawweights in the UFC, she definitely should have been ranked after. Looking at the adjusted rankings right now, you will find Letourneau in the top 10 at No. 10. Above her? Moroz, who Letourneau just defeated, is still ranked at No. 9.
Moroz only dropped down one spot in the rankings, and Letourneau sits below her opponent after beating her. The audacity of Moroz still being ranked above Letourneau in the official UFC rankings right now is the very definition of absurd. Now I can definitely understand that sometimes ranking fighters can be difficult. Sometimes top fighters become injured, and they will spend up to a year or longer on the shelf. During that time, other fighters will put together impressive win streaks that really should move them ahead of that fighter. But because that fighter is a former champion or title contender, that might be over-valued over an impressive win streak. Not to mention, sometimes fighters in the top 5 could be trading wins and losses close to each other. Since most top fighters might only fight 1-3 times a year tops, that can make setting the rankings difficult, since there are less fights in a year than games in sports like baseball, basketball or football.
However, the journalists who submit for the rankings failing to put Letourneau above Moroz is truly absurd. It shows that the writers setting the rankings are not truly paying attention or setting their rankings in a logical fashion. I noticed some writers did not even rank Moroz or Letourneau in the top 15, while still ranking Joanne Calderwood in the top 15. Another writer from Brazil had updated rankings with Moroz still at No. 9, and Letourneau nowhere to be found. So it is no wonder the averages for the final rankings are messed up and come out horrendously uneven. This is not a high enough standard for where the official UFC rankings should be. Once again, the fact that Letourneau is No. 10 underneath Moroz after beating a No. 8-ranked opponent and going 3-0 in the UFC at strawweight is the epitome of absurdity.
Another major problem I’m seeing is that Jake Ellenberger is still hovering just outside the top 10 at welterweight. Ellenberger is 1-4 in his last five fights. He at one point went on a three fight losing streak before beating Josh Koscheck, who was also on a losing streak at the time. That really shouldn’t put him anywhere in the top 10 right now, though plenty of writers who provide rankings are still setting him there. Meanwhile, Neil Magny, who has generally been on an incredible run as of late, is only sitting at No. 15. Magny who went 5-0 in the UFC and had a 7-0 run at welterweight. Yes, he was submitted by Maia, but he followed that up with a dominant win over Erick Silva three weeks later, which was really the biggest win of his career. At this point, Magny should be ranked much higher. Looking at the current overall rankings, he should probably easily be at No. 11 or 12 right now.
What else? Kelvin Gastelum is still ranked at welterweight! His last fight wasn’t even at 170 pounds. Before that? He didn’t even make 170 pounds for his fight with Tyron Woodley. The fight had to be catchweight as a result. So whoever is continuing to rank Gastelum at welterweight seriously needs to stop.
Also to be perfectly clear, it’s not that I think all the rankings are terrible and need to be done away with. I am just pointing out obvious errors with the rankings that do not make sense. It is completely unfair that Letourneau is not ranked where she should after beating a top 10 opponent. Especially if that win potentially puts her in line for a title shot next if Claudia Gadelha is injured and unable to face Joanna Jedrzejczyk. What needs to happen is that the rankings panel needs to step its game up.