Leonardo Santos Thinks Rankings Should Be More Fair

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Leonardo Santos (16-3-1 MMA, 5-0-1 UFC) said that the thinks the rankings system in the UFC isn’t as straightforward as it should be. Here are highlights:

On the UFC’s ranking system: “I don’t understand the criteria. That’s what makes me a little upset. Because when you come into the UFC, you think that the more you win, the more you climb to the top 15, top 10, top five, and maybe some day the belt. And we see that’s not really how it is. I understand it; it’s a business. Cool. But it has to a little fair to who’s doing a good job – to those who might not be talking a lot but are showing it in the octagon.”

On how to get ahead in the rankings: “Is it about being controversial? In terms of records, I won’t even give my example. I’ll give [Francisco] Trinaldo’s: He fought tough guys, the same way he fought tough guys. He was coming off seven wins in a row. You can argue that he doesn’t sell or that he doesn’t speak English. Well, I speak English, so?”

On how he’s handling it: “You need to stay motivated. The event needs to help you stay motivated. Making more money, making it to the top, fighting for the belt – that’s why we’re there. The money, the title, the conquest. If you take too much of it away, we lose motivation. That’s the truth. How long will I have the motivation to trade punches with people and not see my name among the top, not to be able to fight these guys who claim to be the top 10 in the world? I consider myself a top-10 (fighter), but when are they going to give me that chance to be there? To do a main event? We think about all those things. And, for me, it gets harder and harder. The sport we’re in is tough, so if you don’t have a great head or your body is not following up … it’s hard.”