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How would you sum up the FightMatrix rating system?
This software rating system takes an unbiased, objective look at all available professional MMA results from day 1 to the present. The rankings are a hybrid of boxing rankings and traditional MMA rankings in that they represent the “right now” like a boxing system, but fighters don’t “fall” as fast due to a loss.
Furthermore, there are also elements of foreshadowing and prediction-based penalties in an attempt to properly compensate for scenarios such as inactivity, bottom-feeding, and impressive debuting fighters.
Before the site’s creation, it was decided upon that displaying output of a purely statistical (ELO or equivalent) would make no sense for MMA. ELO methods are too basic, and an “accurate” statistical model, would’ve been finalized using past trends as benchmarks, which when used alone, is a poor methodology for the ever changing picture of MMA. Furthermore, these models can product wildly anomalous results.
This system needed to be able to factor in special considerations like impressive debuting fighters, “fluke” wins, inactivity, etc, so the decision was made to study respected rankings, and make a software system that properly place the keystone fighters in the divisions, but take bias out of the equation by ignoring overly hyped fighters, giving credit to underrated fighters, and being able to pull the cord on fighters who are well past their prime. In addition, the system also excels by being much more scalable then your typical Top 10s and 15s, by analyzing even the most minor shows.
In summary, FightMatrix is a computerized rating system that attempts to capture un-biased “popular thought” and combine it with prediction-based analysis. FightMatrix’s system is truly one of a kind.
When do you update?
We usually update every Sunday or Monday.
When a fighter is dropped for being inactive, what happens to his/her rating?
At this point, the inactivity penalty has already kicked in. As time goes on, the penalty will continue to decrease their rating, at a progressively higher rate. When the fighter becomes active again, their new rating will depend on their old rating, time of inactivity, and most recent performance. As of recently, a modification was made that allows these penalized inactivity fighters to regain a large (but not total) portion of their lost points in their first two performances back.
Fighter A is ranked in the Top 10 at Lightweight.. but they only had one fight there!
Currently, the ranking system has division transparency. In other words, fighters carry their previous achievements with them to their new divisions. If Joe Smith has the 5th most points at Lightweight, he’s not the 5th best Lightweight, he is the 5th best fighter currently fighting at Lightweight.
Hey, this guy is rated in the wrong division? How can I let you know?
Fighters are almost always ranked in the division in which they last fought. However, there are rare exceptions. One exception is when we have reason to believe that a fighter stepped outside of his division only for a single bout, and in addition, accomplished nothing. If you feel a fighter is ranked in the wrong division, please leave us a note in our forum.
Is the FightMatrix rating system similar to an ELO rating system?
Sort of. At its core, the system depends on a formula which is similar to that used in an ELO system. However, unlike ELO, the FightMatrix rating system used here puts more emphasis on the most recent event and contains a massive wrapper of code around the core formulas that are necessary to properly consider different types of bout outcomes, the effects of inactivity, impressive debuting fighters, etc.
Why is Fighter A ranked higher than Fighter B?
Because that is how the ratings ended up. Seriously, these questions are difficult to answer, because so many variables go into the rating of a certain fighter. If there is a ridiculous result (like Eric Esch being ranked above Fedor), then there is likely a database problem, and we invite you to please inform us of this. However, if the fighters in question are only a few points apart, then it is because they are at approximately the same level.
Why isn’t your system perfect?
I always use the weather forecast analogy when our results conflict with some opinions. How many times has the weather forecast in your area been wrong — the same system that has hundreds, if not thousands of different projection systems, that likely have millions of highly qualified manhours invested into them? Not to mention, the consistent, well thought-out data points and related delivery systems that stream highly accurate data on a frequent, consistent basis. Mixed martial arts is an imperfect sport, with imperfect judges and even an more imperfect matchmaking system. Oh yeah, don’t forget the questionable data reporting to boot. We do the best we can with what we are given.
Why is this fighter’s W-L-D record different than their record at (other source here)?
The reasons for this are endless. Missing bouts, incorrect results, faulty reporting, undetermined pro/am status.
How can I help??
There are two major ways that you can help.
1. Take a look at the “Unknown Division” rankings to help us determine which division these fighters should be assigned to.
2. Submit any missing or incorrect results to Sherdog, our main bout source.
What do the Mouse Over statistics refer to?
Last 3 Years – Win-Loss-Draw record for the three years prior to the ranking date.
“Big 15″ Record – The Win-Loss-Draw record for the fighter in the “Big 15″. This “Big 15″ refers to the top 15 organizations based on a statistical analysis we performed (UFC/PRIDE/WEC, DREAM/K-1, Shooto, WVR, Strike Force, BoDog, IFL, EliteXC, Bellator, GCM, TKO, Cage Rage, MFC, DEEP, Pancrase). Some organizations were counted as one, due to mergers, etc.
Last Quality Performance - The date on which the system feels that the fighter registered his or her most recent quality performance. A quality performance is a fight in which the fighter fought an acceptable opponent and substantiated their current rating (at the time) based on the outcome.
Quality Performance % - The percentage of career fights in which the fighter registered a quality performance.
540 Opponent Metric – This is an experimental metric that attempts to reflect a fighter’s recent opposition quality. The metric goes back 1,080 days, and looks at all the fighter’s opponents’ W-L-D records within a window of 540 days before, and 540 days after their respective bout(s) with the fighter. All of the records are added up and the cumulative win percentage is presented by this metric in a “strength of schedule” format.
Win Finish % – The percentage of a fighter’s wins that do not reach a decision.
My question has not been answered in the FAQ. How do I contact you?
If you don’t see your question answered here, please leave us a note in our forum.
[...] These are the rankings I always follow. A little sad but I always look forward to seeing how the results affect the fighters' rankings. This is the info on how they calculate the rankings. Unlike most, it's not a case of a few people sat around a table discussing what they think. They're based solely on results. The one thing I don't like is if you beat a fighter then you're automatically ranked above them. Fight Matrix | FAQ [...]
Not a bad idea GLF, I’ll see what we can do.
Hi,
I wonder if it’s possible to add option “outside the UFC” in filter “Last Fought In”.
Cheers.
Christian – If you want to make your record accurate, come to the forum and make a post for each fight, opponent, date, and weight fought at.
Hi im a MMA fighter from spain,i have a record of 7 wins 0 losses.all my fights are on youtube or on internet someware and i was wondering how come i dont show up anywareon your ranking programe…fighting is my carier and i would appreciate it if you could add me to your list.
kind regards
christian holley
We do not maintain the “next fight” data. This is gathered from Sherdog. Any issues regarding this data should be forwarded to them.