To access the current rankings, please use the links below:
Information about the Fightmatrix MMA Rankings
Current MMA Professional Fighter Rankings — unbiased, objective, software-generated. Updated weekly, with up to 650 fighters listed per weight division.
The rankings on this site are software generated, produced by a proprietary engine (CIRRS – Combat Intelli-Rating and Ranking System) and are based only on official results. There is no human intervention involved, which means that all bouts are considered in chronological order to determine the current rankings. The idea is to provide a list that is comparable to the “popular thought” without bias. However, there are some prediction-based elements. So in summary, you could say the system is a hybrid of popular thought and prediction analysis.
The following notes are important to consider when viewing the rankings.
- These are CURRENT rankings. The more recent a result, the more impact it has on a fighter’s ranking.
- A fighter must have a professional MMA bout in the previous 450 days to be listed.
- As of 11/01/2009, current ranking points are division-adjusted. They were never and are still not division-specific. Some adjustments are made on a per-division basis to protect against inexperienced divisional outliers. The exact adjustment varies depending on divisions, recent division-specific performances and direction moved, but a male fighter moving up one division will lose approximately 17%. Male fighters will gain approximately 17% upon moving down a division. This percentage varies slightly depending on the divisions in question as well as other factors. The factor is approximately 1/2 stronger for female fighters.
- A fighter can only appear in one division at a time and is almost always placed in the division in which they last fought. It is rare, but sometimes we make exceptions if we feel that the move is temporary and the fighter accomplishes nothing there (Example: Matt Lindland jumping two divisions to lose to Fedor).
- The winner is always placed above the loser, regardless of the outcome.
- A bout’s winner can lose points, if for example, they only manage a close win over a much lower rated fighter. In addition, the loser will gain points in this scenario.
- There is a special factor involved in championship bouts for certain organizations and divisions. Historically, inclusion has been dependent on those that ensure that top-ranked competition within the respective fighter pools (typically East / West) vie for the titles on a consistent basis, which meant a maximum of 2 titles per division at any given point. This was restricted to titles competed for in divisions governed by a clear organizational leader in this division and fighter pool, where there was also clear divisional competition from other organizations in said division & pool. Moving forward from 2013, this will be restricted to 1 per division regardless of pool unless grandfathered in. This is due to the increased length of the matches, opposition obligations, and prestige of the lineage. It also helps with problems caused by global talent pool separation and assists in data confirmation. The factor applies to historical PRIDE title bouts, King of Pancrase Open-weight (until Mezger vacates), RINGS Absolute/Open-Weight Tournament Finals (until PRIDE HW title is created), Shooto (115,123,132,143), DREAM (155,185), Strike Force Women (135,145), Invicta Women (105,125,145 pre-UFC only), UFC Women (115,125,135,145), Tachi (125 / pre-UFC only), RIZIN (105). This factor CAN (but not always) result in a higher amount of combined total points. This factor was strongest prior to 2006, but has been weakened progressively since due to the decreased need as part of the reasoning for the bonus is being phased out as the pools of fighters intermingle on a more consistent basis.
- A ranked fighter may appear to lose or gain points for no reason at all. The reasons for this may include: historical bout additions & changes and/or quality performance decay penalties.
- Injury-related TKOs are not treated differently then standard TKOs. A TKO is a TKO.
- Rather than being overly concerned with the actual placement of the fighters, take a look at their points. Often times, the point differences between two rankings are very slim, and this means that their placements are really a “toss up”.
- Community adjustments will be made at the start of every half-year, starting with 2012, that will control country populations that have a propensity of being over- or underrated. Confirmation will be based on retroactive analysis of prior data. Partial adjustment will be made retroactively to past years.
- Post-rating blocking is now used to prevent losing fighters from passing above the rank of fighters who recently beat them, unless they fulfill certain requirements. Remaining blocks expire after 540 days.
- Fighters cannot be rated more than three times above the adjusted current rating of the highest rated fighter in which they beat or 1/3rd higher than that rating of the highest rated fighter in which they drew with in the past 1080 days within their current division — max penalty of 1/3rd and final rating cannot be less than 3x the starter rating. Partial credit is given in cases where close losses to quality fighters are present. This does not apply to generated ratings prior to 2004. There is also a reciprocal version of this that handles the opposite situation, but only in extreme circumstances.
- “Hometown ceiling” is in place for those in countries w/sufficient data and observed home advantages that have very little reach outside of the respective populations (aka: hardly anyone highly ranked seems to leave). Factor is very similar to the one explained above for divisional outliers.
- “Low connection” rating protection implemented on 2/23/2020 (retroactive to 2004), will ensure that fighters over 3x the starter rating fighting exclusively in very small populations have reduced rating inflation potential.
- Starting 12/14/2013, all “The Ultimate Fighter” professional exhibition bouts will be considered retroactively in the Current MMA rankings. These bouts will affect ratings at a slightly reduced amount in comparison to professional non-exhibition bouts. These bouts will not be considered in all-time rankings and bouts will not cause fighters to move divisions unless the TUF season definitively results in a new divisional champion.