Notable Info
- Women’s Flyweight expanded from Top 20 to Top 30.
Current MMA Rankings Updated (08-20-2017)
Notable Info
- Bantamweight rankings expanded to Top 400.
Mamoru Yamaguchi is a true pioneer of the flyweight division
This weekend, former two-division Shooto world champion and current flyweight King of Pancrase Mamoru Yamaguchi returns to action at Pancrase 289. The 40-year-old fighter will defend his title against Senzo Ikeda, and the card will air live on UFC Fight Pass.
Yamaguchi, currently ranked #26 in the flyweight division, might not be the most recognizable name to average MMA fans. However, you can’t tell the story of the MMA’s flyweight division without including him. In 2000, he became the first Shooto featherweight (132 pounds) champion with a victory over Jin Akimoto. Three years later, he took the first Shooto bantamweight (123 pounds) championship after defeating Yasuhiro Urushitani. Urushitani went on to participate in the tournament to determine the first UFC flyweight champion.
The following chart shows the percentage of Yamaguchi’s ranking points compared to the number-one ranked fighter in his division for each quarter of his career.
The higher the percentage, the closer to the number one ranking for Yamaguchi. This is a similar calculation used to determine the “Fight Matrix Most Lopsided Upset of the Year” award.
As you can see, Yamaguchi was not only a pioneer of the flyweight division but also a perennial contender until the UFC adopted the division in 2012. At his advanced age, it is impressive that he is still ranked near the flyweight top 25. His current run as King of Pancrase is a dignified culmination of a historic career, which, unfortunately, is rarely seen in the sport.
Richard Mann runs the data-driven combat sports blog StrikeScoreMMA.com You can follow him on Twitter @RichardAMann
Current MMA Rankings Updated (08-06-2017)
Notable Info
- Exemption added in semi-annual community adjustment for high performers with success in the period in fight(s) completely disconnected from the local population.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night 114: Pettis/Moreno
Flyweight (125)
[#5] Brandon Moreno (14-3-0, -145) vs. [#11] Sergio Pettis (15-2-0, +124)
Brandon Moreno is the All-Time #28 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Sergio Pettis is the All-Time #38 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Brandon Moreno (3-0-0)
2017-04-22: W vs. [#15FLY] Dustin Ortiz (16-7-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:06 of round 2
2016-12-03: W vs. [#38FLY] Ryan Benoit (9-5-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
2016-10-01: W vs. [#22FLY] Louis Smolka (11-4-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:23 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Sergio Pettis (3-0-0)
2017-01-15: W vs. [#27FLY] John Moraga (17-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-04-23: W vs. [*] Chris Kelades (9-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-10-03: W vs. [*] Chris Cariaso (17-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Brandon Moreno 105, Sergio Pettis 202
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Brandon Moreno leads 1-0
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Women Strawweight (115)
[#13] Randa Markos (7-4-0, +126) vs. [#30] Alexa Grasso (9-1-0, -152)
Last 3 Fights: Randa Markos (2-1-0)
2017-02-19: W vs. [#6SW] Carla Esparza (12-4-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2016-08-20: L vs. [#11SW] Cortney Casey (7-4-0) via in 4:34 of round 1
2016-06-18: W vs. [#73SW] Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (6-4-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Alexa Grasso (2-1-0)
2017-02-04: L vs. [#12SW] Felice Herrig (13-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2016-11-05: W vs. [#80SW] Heather Clark (7-6-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2016-07-29: W vs. [#24SW] Jodie Esquibel (6-2-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Randa Markos 167, Alexa Grasso 182
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)
[#36] Niko Price (10-0-0, +144) vs. [#37] Alan Jouban (15-5-0, -172)
Last 3 Fights: Niko Price (3-0-0)
2017-02-04: W vs. [#66WW] Alex Morono (13-4-0) via KO (Punch) in 5:00 of round 2
2016-12-30: W vs. [#415WW] Brandon Thatch (11-5-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 4:30 of round 1
2016-08-12: W vs. [#1019WW] Willie Hosch (5-4-0) via UD ()
Last 3 Fights: Alan Jouban (2-1-0)
2017-03-18: L vs. [#21WW] Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 0:46 of round 2
2016-12-17: W vs. [#23WW] Mike Perry (10-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2016-07-07: W vs. [#42WW] Belal Muhammad (12-2-0) via UD (28-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Niko Price 182, Alan Jouban 140
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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