It is likely to be an understatement to say the UFC has some questionable rankings. You’d count on rankings to be questionable as they’re subjective; nonetheless, on this column, I’ll level out rankings that I feel are obvious errors. I may also analyze vital motion within the rankings that I agree with.
Editorial Commentary by Peter Parsons
Ilia Topuria defeated Josh Emmett within the UFC Jacksonville foremost occasion on ABC on Saturday. With the win, Topuria took Emmett’s No. 5 rating. Ought to Topuria have moved up greater within the UFC rankings after Saturday’s victory?
Ilia Topuria ranked No. 5 in UFC featherweight division
In my view, Topuria ought to have moved as much as No. 3 forward of Brian Ortega after his “Struggle of the Night time” victory on Saturday. There’s an argument that No. 4 ranked Arnold Allen could possibly be ranked forward of Topuria, however it’s clear that Topuria needs to be ranked forward of Ortega.
The Spaniard by the use of Georgia is now 14-0 total and 6-0 within the UFC since making his UFC debut in October of 2020. In the meantime, Ortega has not received a combat since October of 2020, the month Topuria made his UFC debut.
Brian Ortega’s current UFC file
Ortega final defeated “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in a five-round determination in a foremost occasion of a UFC Struggle Night time. Sure, the Californian has confronted nothing however top-level opposition in his previous few fights, however he hasn’t been energetic. Ortega’s earlier win earlier than The Korean Zombie was in opposition to Frankie Edgar in 2018.
Ortega’s current losses have come in opposition to the highest three UFC featherweights in Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski, and Max Holloway. The Volkanovski and Holloway fights have been title fights the place he confirmed super toughness. The Rodriguez combat was a prime contender combat the place Ortega suffered a freak shoulder harm.
UFC highlights of Brian Ortega’s loss to Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria’s current UFC file
Topuria is coming off a really dominant victory over the beforehand No. 5 ranked Josh Emmett that noticed one choose scored the combat 50-42. Topuria broke into the highest 10 when he beat the earlier No. 9 ranked Bryce Mitchell.
The 26-year-old has had all robust fights since getting into the Octagon, together with his brief discover debut in opposition to Youssef Zalal who was 3-0 within the UFC on the time. He adopted up the Zalal win with KO victories over Damon Jackson, Ryan Corridor and Jai Herbert. The Herbert combat was at light-weight.
Why Topuria needs to be ranked forward of Ortega in UFC featherweight division
Curiously, each Topuria and Ortega began their professional careers at 14-0 and 6-0 within the UFC. Ortega was 14-0 when he first fought for the title in opposition to Max Holloway. Ortega impressed with all finishes within the UFC earlier than his Holloway combat – most notably submission victories over Renato Moicano and Cub Swanson, and TKO victories over Clay Guida and Frankie Edgar.
Undoubtedly, Brian Ortega is likely one of the finest and he gave the champ Alexander Volkanovski his hardest problem at featherweight; nonetheless, he has solely fought 3 times within the final 4 years. In the meantime, Topuria has been energetic lately, defeating prime opposition.
I’ve talked about earlier than on this column that usually we see fighters take their opponents rankings within the UFC. Topuria took Emmett’s No. 5 rating simply as he beforehand took Bryce Mitchell’s No. 9 rating. I feel this occurs too usually with out consideration of rating a fighter greater.
There are some nice featherweight match-ups developing (see under) together with the title combat between Yair Rodriguez and Alexander Volkanovski. It seems to be like Topuria could possibly be in line for the subsequent title shot if the pound-for-pound nice Volkanovski defends his crown in opposition to Rodriguez.
UFC
Upcoming Notable UFC Featherweight Fights
Jul 8 – (C) Alexander Volkanovski vs. (IC) Yair Rodriguez
Jul 22 – Joshua Culibao vs. Lerone Murphy
Jul 22 – Nathaniel Wooden vs. Andre Fili
Aug 5 – Damon Jackson vs. Billy Quarantillo
Aug 12 – Cub Swanson vs. Hakeem Dawodu
Aug 26 – (2) Max Holloway vs. (8) Chan Sung Jung
My Perspective on the UFC Rankings
My rankings would look totally different than another author or fan who follows the game intently. That is to be anticipated, as rankings are subjective. Rankings needs to be primarily based totally on outcomes and never perceived potential or recognition.
Some individuals assume rankings don’t matter. Rankings do matter. They matter in terms of matchmaking. They matter in terms of contract negotiations.
