In this part of the series, we will examine the all-time rankings of middleweight and above men’s divisions.  As I mentioned in the first part, while the top spots on the Absolute All-Time lists are somewhat likely to change in the near future, the individual divisional rankings are far less volatile.  We probably won’t see a new #1 in most of men’s divisions any time soon: As the sport has evolved and every top competitor became more well rounded, long title runs such as Fedor Emelianenko’s, Jon Jones’, and Anderson Silva’s are becoming a thing of the past. Are we past the golden age of the sport, where the best champions held on to the top of the division for a decade? Or are we just entering a new, more competitive, and therefore more enterntaining era?

The numbers in parentheses represent the all-time rating points.

Men’s Heavyweight

[#1]: Fedor Emelianenko (21848)

Next active fighter:  [#2] Stipe Miocic (11520)

Point differential: 1.89x

Other contenders: [#5] Fabricio Werdum, [#6] Junior dos Santos, [#8] Francis Ngannou

Fedor Emelianenko is almost universally considered the heavyweight GOAT of MMA.  [#2] Stipe Miocic is considered the greatest heavyweight to ever step into the UFC Octagon, holding four title defenses – a record for the UFC’s HW division. Unfortunately for Miocic, Fedor has nearly twice the amount of rating points, and Stipe’s career is winding down. Originally the scheduled for some-time-this-year match-up between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic was supposed to be the retirement bout for both fighters.  However, more recently both Jones and Miocic have expressed willingness to unify the titles with the Interim HW champion Tom Aspinall. Beating both Jones and Aspinall will be a tall task for the 41-year old firefighter from Cleveland. And even if he should succeed, it frankly won’t be enough to overtake Fedor.

Beyond Miocic, we have a couple of retired fighters, followed by another couple of old guys.  The only reason I am mentioning Werdum and Junior Dos Santos as ‘contenders’ is that they are fairly high ranked and both still technically active fighters, even if they’re living out the remainders of their careers in the graveyard of bareknuckle MMA. Don’t expect much, if any, ascent on the all-time list for these two.

As for Francis Ngannou, he may have had potential had he stayed in the UFC and remained active.  Instead Francis fought out his UFC contract and left the promotion to join the Professional Fight League (PFL) and to try his hand at boxing.  On top of that, Ngannou started his MMA career fairly late, and the competition he will face in PFL won’t be very highly ranked. With all these factors combined, Francis’ potential for growth is limited, though I hope he does end up in the Top 5 when all is said and done.

As I was browsing our recently updated All-Time MMA rankings, I couldn’t help but wonder: what are the odds that the current top ranked fighters of all time in each division will be replaced in the next decade? Let’s take a deeper look, in an attempt to answer one of the eternal sports questions: who is the greatest of all time?

The numbers in parentheses represent the all-time rating points.

Men’s Absolute

[#1]: Georges St. Pierre (36945)

Next active fighter: [#2] Jon Jones (34157)

Point differential: 1.08x

Other contenders: [#7] Alexander Volkanovski, [#8] Max Holloway, [#9] Demetrious Johnson

The all-time absolute ranking takes into account the sum of fighters’ accomplishments across all divisions. And this list is the one with the least amount of separation between the top two.  If Jon Jones sticks around for another year or two and defeats Stipe Miocic and Tom Aspinall, as he promised to do, he will certainly overtake GSP for the #1 spot. In the eyes of many, Jones is already the GOAT, and he would rightfully sit atop of our absolute ranking – for a very long time, if the rest of the list is any indication.

The next highest ranked active fighters on the all-time absolute list sit at #7-9. Alexander Volkanovski is on a clear decline, losing three of his last four fights, and having been on a receiving end of a KO in his two most recent outings. Holloway is still hanging in there and with a move to lightweight division he might soon pass his long-time rival Volk. However it’s fairly obvious that this 32-year old with a whole lot of fight mileage is nearing his ceiling, and will not break into the truly elite Top 5. Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson should be ranked higher in my opinion – but the relative weakness of the flyweight division has held him back here. At 37, the Mouse is at the tail end of a illustrious career and is unlikely to move much higher on the list.

Heavyweight (265)
[#13] Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-5-0, +119) vs. [#37] Shamil Gaziev (12-0-0, -146)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the All-Time #47 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jairzinho Rozenstruik (1-2-0)
2023-05-13: L vs. [#7HW+] Jailton Almeida (20-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:43 of round 1
2022-12-10: W vs. [#30LHW] Chris Daukaus (12-7-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:23 of round 1
2022-06-04: L vs. [#5HW+] Alexander Volkov (37-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:12 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Shamil Gaziev (3-0-0)
2023-12-16: W vs. [#69HW+] Martin Buday (13-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:56 of round 2
2023-09-19: W vs. [#146HW+] Greg Velasco (6-1-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:38 of round 1
2023-02-18: W vs. [#47HW+] Darko Stosic (20-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:54 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jairzinho Rozenstruik 294, Shamil Gaziev 77
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#27] Vitor Petrino (10-0-0, -287) vs. [#62] Tyson Pedro (10-4-0, +224)

Last 3 Fights: Vitor Petrino (3-0-0)
2023-11-04: W vs. [#51LHW] Modestas Bukauskas (15-6-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:03 of round 2
2023-07-08: W vs. [#36LHW] Marcin Prachnio (17-7-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 3:42 of round 3
2023-03-11: W vs. [#155LHW] Anton Turkalj (8-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Last 3 Fights: Tyson Pedro (2-1-0)
2023-09-09: W vs. [#155LHW] Anton Turkalj (8-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:12 of round 1
2023-02-11: L vs. [#51LHW] Modestas Bukauskas (15-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-08-20: W vs. [*] Harry Hunsucker (7-6-0) via TKO (Body Kick and Punches) in 1:05 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Vitor Petrino 119, Tyson Pedro 175
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Vitor Petrino leads 2-1
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Middleweight (185)
[#61] Eryk Anders (15-8-0, -331) vs. [#205] Jamie Pickett (13-10-0, +251)

Last 3 Fights: Eryk Anders (1-2-0)
2023-06-10: L vs. [#39MW] Marc-Andre Barriault (17-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-12-03: W vs. [#77MW] Kyle Daukaus (14-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:45 of round 2
2022-05-21: L vs. [#32MW] Jun Yong Park (17-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Jamie Pickett (0-3-0)
2023-08-12: L vs. [#130MW] Josh Fremd (11-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2023-03-04: L vs. [#124MW] Bo Nickal (5-0-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 2:54 of round 1
2022-09-10: L vs. [#155MW] Denis Tiuliulin (10-9-0) via TKO (Knees and Punches) in 4:52 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Eryk Anders 266, Jamie Pickett 203
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Eryk Anders leads 1-0
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We’re on a roll this week with new features.  This is a minor one: you can now browse our Generated Historical Ranking sets using the alternative ranking systems (ELO K-170, ELO Modified, Glicko-1).  Try it out here: https://www.fightmatrix.com/historical-mma-rankings/generated-historical-rankings/?Issue=137&Division=1&RF=R_GLICKO1

We’re bringing you another new feature here at FightMatrix: the ability to view the cards for past MMA events, including the fighters’ rankings at the time of the event.

As an example, here’s the historic UFC 200 fight card:

https://www.fightmatrix.com/event/UFC+200+-+Tate+vs.+Nunes/142856/

You can search past events here: https://www.fightmatrix.com/event-search/

Or browse all events by the year they took place or the promotion putting on the event:

https://www.fightmatrix.com/past-events-by-year/

https://www.fightmatrix.com/past-events-by-promotion/

Keep on browsing!

Flyweight (125)
[#2/#4DD/#4P4P] Brandon Moreno (21-7-2, -253) vs. [#5] Brandon Royval (15-7-0, +201)
Brandon Moreno is the All-Time #3 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Brandon Royval is the All-Time #26 ranked Flyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Brandon Moreno (2-1-0)
2023-07-08: L vs. [#1FLY/#3DD/#3P4P] Alexandre Pantoja (27-5-0) via SD (46-49, 48-47, 48-47)
2023-01-21: W vs. [#10BW] Deiveson Figueiredo (22-3-1) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 3
2022-07-30: W vs. [#4FLY] Kai Kara-France (24-11-0) via TKO (Body Kick and Punches) in 4:34 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Brandon Royval (2-1-0)
2023-12-16: L vs. [#1FLY/#3DD/#3P4P] Alexandre Pantoja (27-5-0) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
2023-04-15: W vs. [#10FLY] Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1) via KO (Knee and Elbows) in 2:09 of round 1
2022-05-07: W vs. [#41FLY] Matt Schnell (16-8-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:14 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Brandon Moreno 231, Brandon Royval 70
Previous Match-up Record: Brandon Moreno leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Brandon Moreno leads 2-1
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Featherweight (145)
[#4] Yair Rodriguez (19-4-0, -173) vs. [*] Brian Ortega (15-3-0, +141)
Yair Rodriguez is the All-Time #18 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Brian Ortega is the All-Time #11 ranked Featherweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Yair Rodriguez (2-1-0)
2023-07-08: L vs. [#2FW/#6DD] Alexander Volkanovski (26-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:19 of round 3
2023-02-11: W vs. [#6FW] Josh Emmett (19-4-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 4:19 of round 2
2022-07-16: W vs. [*] Brian Ortega (15-3-0) via TKO (Shoulder Injury) in 4:11 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Brian Ortega (1-2-0)
2022-07-16: L vs. [#4FW] Yair Rodriguez (19-4-0) via TKO (Shoulder Injury) in 4:11 of round 1
2021-09-25: L vs. [#2FW/#6DD] Alexander Volkanovski (26-4-0) via UD (50-44, 50-45, 49-46)
2020-10-17: W vs. [*] Chan Sung Jung (17-8-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Yair Rodriguez 231, Brian Ortega 588
Previous Match-up Record: Yair Rodriguez leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Brian Ortega leads 2-1
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Lightweight (155)
[#64] Daniel Zellhuber (14-1-0, -261) vs. [#186] Francisco Prado (13-1-0, +206)

Last 3 Fights: Daniel Zellhuber (2-1-0)
2023-09-16: W vs. [#95LW] Christos Giagos (20-11-0) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) in 3:26 of round 2
2023-04-15: W vs. [#263LW] Lando Vannata (12-7-2) via UD (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2022-09-17: L vs. [#176LW] Trey Ogden (16-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Francisco Prado (2-1-0)
2023-07-15: W vs. [#522LW] Ottman Azaitar (13-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:05 of round 1
2023-02-11: L vs. [#114LW] Jamie Mullarkey (17-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-12-16: W vs. [#717WW] Jose Barrios Vargas (14-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:17 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Daniel Zellhuber 161, Francisco Prado 224
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#15] Jack Hermansson (23-8-0, +178) vs. [#29] Joseph Pyfer (12-2-0, -223)
Jack Hermansson is the All-Time #40 ranked Middleweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Jack Hermansson (1-2-0)
2022-12-03: L vs. [#14MW] Roman Dolidze (12-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:06 of round 2
2022-07-23: W vs. [#20MW] Chris Curtis (31-10-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2022-02-05: L vs. [#3MW/#10DD] Sean Strickland (28-6-0) via SD (49-46, 47-48, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Joseph Pyfer (3-0-0)
2023-10-07: W vs. [#79MW] Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6-0) via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 2:05 of round 2
2023-04-08: W vs. [#53MW] Gerald Meerschaert (35-17-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:15 of round 1
2022-09-17: W vs. [*] Alen Amedovski (8-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:55 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jack Hermansson 434, Joseph Pyfer 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Featherweight (145)
[#15] Dan Ige (17-7-0, -176) vs. [#52] Andre Fili (23-10-0, +145)

Last 3 Fights: Dan Ige (2-1-0)
2023-09-23: L vs. [#14FW] Bryce Mitchell (16-2-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-06-10: W vs. [#42FW] Nate Landwehr (17-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2023-01-14: W vs. [#36FW] Damon Jackson (22-6-1) via KO (Punch) in 4:13 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Andre Fili (2-1-0)
2023-12-16: W vs. [#178FW] Lucas Almeida (14-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:32 of round 1
2023-07-22: L vs. [#35FW] Nathaniel Wood (19-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2022-09-17: W vs. [#18FW] Bill Algeo (18-7-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dan Ige 140, Andre Fili 56
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#83] Robert Bryczek (17-5-0) vs. [#185] Ihor Potieria (24-5-0)

Last 3 Fights: Robert Bryczek (3-0-0)
2023-07-28: W vs. [#102LHW] Samuel Kristofic (17-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:55 of round 1
2023-05-20: W vs. [#276MW] Lee Chadwick (28-19-1) via KO (Punch) in 2:41 of round 1
2022-12-03: W vs. [#331MW] Abdel Rahmane Driai (8-2-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:25 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Ihor Potieria (1-2-0)
2023-12-02: L vs. [#61LHW] Rodolfo Bellato (12-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:17 of round 2
2023-05-13: L vs. [#31LHW] Carlos Ulberg (10-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:09 of round 1
2023-01-21: W vs. [*] Mauricio Rua (27-14-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:05 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Robert Bryczek 197, Ihor Potieria 70
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#13] Roman Dolidze (12-2-0, +137) vs. [#16] Nassourdine Imavov (12-4-0, -166)

Last 3 Fights: Roman Dolidze (2-1-0)
2023-03-18: L vs. [#8MW] Marvin Vettori (19-7-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2022-12-03: W vs. [#14MW] Jack Hermansson (23-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:06 of round 2
2022-10-29: W vs. [#101MW] Phil Hawes (12-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Nassourdine Imavov (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2023-06-10: NC vs. [#20MW] Chris Curtis (31-10-0)
2023-01-14: L vs. [#3MW/#10DD] Sean Strickland (28-6-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2022-09-03: W vs. [#24WW] Joaquin Buckley (17-6-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Roman Dolidze 322, Nassourdine Imavov 238
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Roman Dolidze leads 1-0
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Lightweight (155)
[#27] Renato Carneiro (17-5-1, -145) vs. [#29] Drew Dober (27-12-0, +119)

Last 3 Fights: Renato Carneiro (2-1-0)
2022-11-12: W vs. [#93LW] Brad Riddell (10-4-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 3:20 of round 1
2022-03-05: L vs. [#10LW] Rafael dos Anjos (32-15-0) via UD (49-44, 50-44, 49-45)
2022-02-12: W vs. [#74FW] Alexander Hernandez (14-7-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 1:23 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Drew Dober (2-1-0)
2023-10-07: W vs. [#132LW] Ricky Glenn (22-8-2) via TKO (Punches) in 2:36 of round 1
2023-05-06: L vs. [#37LW] Matt Frevola (11-4-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:08 of round 1
2022-12-17: W vs. [#18LW] Bobby Green (31-15-1) via KO (Punch) in 2:45 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Renato Carneiro 448, Drew Dober 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Renato Carneiro leads 2-1
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Welterweight (170)
[#32] Randy Brown (17-5-0, -241) vs. [#44] Muslim Salikhov (19-4-0, +192)

Last 3 Fights: Randy Brown (2-1-0)
2023-06-24: W vs. [#134WW] Wellington Turman (18-8-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2023-02-11: L vs. [#12WW] Jack Della Maddalena (16-2-0) via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 2:13 of round 1
2022-10-01: W vs. [#46WW] Francisco Trinaldo (29-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Muslim Salikhov (1-2-0)
2023-06-17: L vs. [#29WW] Nicolas Dalby (23-5-1) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2022-11-19: W vs. [#81WW] Andre Fialho (16-8-0) via TKO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 1:03 of round 3
2022-07-16: L vs. [*] Jingliang Li (19-8-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:38 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Randy Brown 224, Muslim Salikhov 231
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Middleweight Championship (185)
[#1/#8DD/#8P4P] Sean Strickland (28-5-0, -138) vs. [#5] Dricus Du Plessis (20-2-0, +113)
Sean Strickland is the All-Time #17 ranked Middleweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Sean Strickland (3-0-0)
2023-09-09: W vs. [#2MW/#9DD] Israel Adesanya (24-3-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2023-07-01: W vs. [#67MW] Abusupiyan Magomedov (25-6-1) via TKO in 4:20 of round 2
2023-01-14: W vs. [#16MW] Nassourdine Imavov (12-4-0) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)

Last 3 Fights: Dricus Du Plessis (3-0-0)
2023-07-08: W vs. [#7MW] Robert Whittaker (24-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:23 of round 2
2023-03-04: W vs. [#10MW] Derek Brunson (24-9-0) via TKO (Corner Stoppage) in 4:59 of round 2
2022-12-10: W vs. [#25MW] Darren Till (18-5-1) via Submission (Face Crank) in 2:43 of round 3

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Sean Strickland 133, Dricus Du Plessis 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#8DD] Raquel Pennington (15-8-0, +138) vs. [#5] Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1, -167)
Raquel Pennington is the All-Time #47 ranked Women’s fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Raquel Pennington (3-0-0)
2023-01-14: W vs. [#3BW] Ketlen Vieira (14-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2022-04-09: W vs. [#10FW] Aspen Ladd (11-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2021-12-18: W vs. [*] Macy Chiasson (8-3-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:07 of round 2

Last 3 Fights: Mayra Bueno Silva (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2023-07-15: NC vs. [#4BW] Holly Holm (15-6-0)
2023-02-18: W vs. [*] Lina Lansberg (10-8-0) via Submission (Kneebar) in 4:45 of round 2
2022-08-06: W vs. [#33BW] Stephanie Egger (8-5-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 1:17 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Raquel Pennington 371, Mayra Bueno Silva 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#18] Neil Magny (28-11-0, +248) vs. [#81] Mike Malott (10-1-1, -329)
Neil Magny is the All-Time #39 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Neil Magny (1-2-0)
2023-08-19: L vs. [#11WW] Ian Garry (13-0-0) via UD (30-26, 30-24, 30-26)
2023-06-24: W vs. [#46WW] Philip Rowe (10-4-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2023-01-21: L vs. [#6WW] Gilbert Burns (22-6-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 4:15 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Mike Malott (3-0-0)
2023-06-10: W vs. [#217WW] Adam Fugitt (9-4-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:06 of round 2
2023-02-25: W vs. [#197WW] Yohan Lainesse (9-2-0) via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in 4:15 of round 1
2022-04-09: W vs. [*] Mickey Gall (7-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:41 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Neil Magny 154, Mike Malott 224
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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