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[iverbure]

After seeing third-party fighter rankings that are far from ideal, UFC President Dana White says the organization will “probably” now create its own official rankings for each weight class.

White confirmed the plans in a special fan Q&A that was organized by our friend Mark Gilbert at The Sun.

The concept of rankings has long been discussed, and many media outlets create rankings for each weight class that include fighters from every major MMA organization. However, many fans have clamored for UFC-sponsored rankings, specifically so they know which fighters are in line for title shots.

“I said we’d never do that because I figured people would say our rankings are biased,” White told The Sun. “But, when you look around at some of these other rankings that are out there, I think we probably will do our own after all.“

The problem, of course, is that fighters compete so infrequently — on average just three our four times per year — that it’s difficult to assign worth to each fight. Plus, you have factors such as fighters moving weight classes, missing extended periods of time with injuries, the quality of competition, competition outside the UFC, and many other considerations.

That’s why there probably won’t be any quick decisions.

“I have no idea when we will get to that, though,” White said. “I wouldn’t look for any rankings anytime real soon.“

For the full Q&A, head over to The Sun‘s website.

Dana White: UFC Will “Probably” Create Official Rankings -- MMAjunkie.com

A lot of people on here will be pleased by this news. I would guess at least at first it would only be a top 5 ranking system. Also i think the rankings should only be used something like every other title defense is a mantory title defense against the #1 ranked contender. Just so it wouldn't be the top guy challenging everytime because sometimes a bigger fight would be present before the number ranked guy.

[Gmunit]

bad idea IMO

how are they gonna justify giving TUF winners title shots?? or when you have a clusterfuck like the the LHW division is currently in?? Forrest gets a title shot after beating an un-ranked fighter???


its just problems, leave the ranks up to the keyboard warriors

[Bran]

Originally Posted by Gmunit

bad idea IMO

how are they gonna justify giving TUF winners title shots?? or when you have a clusterfuck like the the LHW division is currently in?? Forrest gets a title shot after beating an un-ranked fighter???


its just problems, leave the ranks up to the keyboard warriors

shogun is unranked? seriously?

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by Bran

shogun is unranked? seriously?

in the UFC he is

same as Werdum would've been too, prior to his win over GG

[m_babyface_g]

I'd like to see how the UFC thinks Arlovski ranks compared to Werdum.
Something tells me if this ever goes down it's going to be laughable... but more in a sad way.

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by Gmunit

bad idea IMO

how are they gonna justify giving TUF winners title shots?? or when you have a clusterfuck like the the LHW division is currently in?? Forrest gets a title shot after beating an un-ranked fighter???


its just problems, leave the ranks up to the keyboard warriors

Agreed. I mean, come on.. Look how nuts you guys go over Smoogy's rankings (and kudos to him for making a thread for good debate), MMANews.com's rankings, MMAWeekly, etc, imagine the uproar over official rankings.. I hope they don't do this.

Plus, whenever the UFC made some sort of questionable move or picked the #4 guy over the #3 guy (due to injury, scheduling, whatever).. we'd all be like, WTF?

It is a bad move.

[peno]

The problem, of course, is that fighters compete so infrequently — on average just three our four times per year — that it’s difficult to assign worth to each fight. Plus, you have factors such as fighters moving weight classes, missing extended periods of time with injuries, the quality of competition, competition outside the UFC, and many other considerations.

Or wether they have 1 fight left on their contract and won't resign?

I'd love to see their ranking system. It'd be a fucking joke. Would it be all of mma or just the UFC? I'd love to see where Dana would rank AA and Barnett.

[Warchief]

If Dana would create the MMA Official Rankings, i bet Fedor is not even in Top 20.

Originally Posted by Gmunit

in the UFC he is

same as Werdum would've been too, prior to his win over GG

during shoguns entrance rogan said something to the nature of shogun being the number one ranked lhw in the world...he may not have been ranked in the ufc, but he was ranked NUMBER 1 everywhere else.



not that it matters, i'm just sayin...

Originally Posted by Warchief

If Dana would create the MMA Official Rankings, i bet Fedor is not even in Top 20.

It's impossible for Dana to create THE official mma rankings because he doesnt have every single Mixed Martial Artist under contract...end of discussion if you ask me?

[eazye76]

I like the idea in theory, but I don't think it would work in the real world. Lots of people(I'll include myself in this) would disagree w/ the ranking and call BS, and accuse them of playing favorites.
Also The UFC's mouthpiece, Dana White insists Fedor sucks, who knows what kind of shit they'll come up with, lol. Seriously though, I think it's too subjective for an org to do their own rankings.