Fight Matrix

Examining The Recent Bellator Signing Spree

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Richard Mann

Bellator MMA was able to move the needle last week with the signing of former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. They attempted to keep the momentum going by announcing the signing of heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov. Any time a promotion other than the UFC can sign a fighter inside the Fight Matrix top 20 it is a victory. However, Bellator still faces an up-hill battle when it comes to competing with the biggest promotion in the history over MMA.

Let’s compare the difference from the last Fight Matrix ranking to come out before the signing of Henderson and Kharitonov (1/31/2016) to the one published roughly one year previous (2/1/2015).

In the 1/31/2016 ranking, with the addition of Henderson (#10 welterweight) and Kharitonov (#20 heavyweight) Bellator has 21 fighters on their roster that are within the top 20 of their respective division (heavyweight through bantamweight). (This number includes fighters who are currently in odd contract situations like Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Vitaly Minakov.)

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Current MMA Rankings Updated (02-07-2016)

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Jason

Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)

Friday, October 3rd 2025: PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2

[#4 LHW] Corey Anderson

[#10 LHW] Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov

Last Fight Date: 7/19/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#13 HW] Denis Goltsov
Last 5: NC L W W W

Last Fight Date: 11/29/2024 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#21 MW] Impa Kasanganay
Last 5: W W W W W

Friday, October 3rd 2025: PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2

[#9 LW] Usman Nurmagomedov (-164)

[#14 LW] Paul Hughes (+128)

Last Fight Date: 1/25/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#14 LW] Paul Hughes
Last 5: W W NC W W

Last Fight Date: 5/10/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#51 LW] Bruno Miranda
Last 5: W W W L W

Saturday, November 8th 2025: Dynamite MMA 4 - Nov. 8

[#4 W105] Andressa Romero

[#20 W105] Claire Lopez

Last Fight Date: 9/20/2024 [Invicta FC]
Last Opponent: [#2 W105] Elisandra Ferreira de Oliveira
Last 5: W L L W L

Last Fight Date: 4/04/2025 [Invicta FC]
Last Opponent: [#12 W105] Taynara Silva
Last 5: W W L L L

Featured Fighters

[NR]	Matt Brown	[#1 LW]	Islam Makhachev
[#3 FW]	Diego Lopes	[#2 LW]	Ilia Topuria
[#4 LW]	Charles Oliveira	[NR]	Chris Lytle
[NR]	Conor McGregor	[#19 FW]	Jean Silva
[#1 MW]	Khamzat Chimaev	[NR]	Raja Jackson

UFC Fight Night 82: Hendricks vs. Thompson – Who’s Getting Paid?

Posted on February 4, 2016 by McKinley Noble

UFC Fight Night 82 definitely isn’t as attractive as the once-planned UFC 196 card, but it looks like the Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez rematch will have to wait. That’s more than fine, though, since the UFC did the right thing for once and moved the PPV to television.

That brings us to our new headliner, starring Stephen Thompson and former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks, supported by a pretty decent undercard of prospect action. There’s a lot to cover with this one, so let’s cut into our usual breakdown of previous UFC fighter salaries (plus most-recent Reebok payouts) for every main card combatant.

Note: Divisional rankings via Fight Matrix. UFC salaries and Reebok figures via MMA Payout and MMA Junkie.

Johny Hendricks [#2 WW]
$150,000** [UFC 181]

Stephen Thompson [#17 WW]
$47,000 = $21,000/$21,000 +$5,000* [TUF 21 Finale]

Analysis: Fan opinion may have soured on Hendricks in recent years, but at least he’s getting paid comparatively well for his troubles. While there’s probably little chance of any title shot as long as Robbie Lawler sits atop the division’s peak, Hendricks will certainly net some big pay bumps if he continues to build on his 17 UFC and WEC bouts with another winning streak.

And although it’s a little old-hat to keep harping on this point, Stephen Thompson should definitely be looking at a pay raise win or lose. After all, despite a stellar 10-1 record with six UFC wins, he barely makes half of the salary that Sage Northcutt commands.

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Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 82 – Hendricks/Thompson (02-06-2016)

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Jason

Welterweight (170)
[#2] Johny Hendricks (17-3-0, -222) vs. [#17] Stephen Thompson (11-1-0, +180)
Johny Hendricks is the All-Time #4 ranked Welterweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Johny Hendricks (2-1-0)
2015-03-14: W vs. [#9WW] Matt Brown (20-13-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-12-06: L vs. [#1WW/#8DD/#6P4P] Robbie Lawler (27-10-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
2014-03-15: W vs. [#1WW/#8DD/#6P4P] Robbie Lawler (27-10-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Last 3 Fights: Stephen Thompson (3-0-0)
2015-07-12: W vs. [#31WW] Jake Ellenberger (30-11-0) via KO (Spinning Hook Kick) in 4:29 of round 1
2014-09-27: W vs. [#19WW] Patrick Cote (23-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2014-02-22: W vs. [#8MW] Robert Whittaker (15-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:43 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Johny Hendricks 329, Stephen Thompson 209
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Johny Hendricks leads 1-0
.

Heavyweight (265)
[#16] Jared Rosholt (14-2-0, +136) vs. [#25] Roy Nelson (20-12-0, -162)

Last 3 Fights: Jared Rosholt (3-0-0)
2015-11-14: W vs. [#33HW+] Stefan Struve (26-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-08-08: W vs. [#41HW+] Timothy Johnson (9-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-03-14: W vs. [#50HW+] Josh Copeland (11-3-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 3:12 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Roy Nelson (0-3-0)
2015-09-26: L vs. [#13HW+] Josh Barnett (34-8-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2015-03-14: L vs. [#3HW+] Alistair Overeem (40-14-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2014-09-20: L vs. [#8HW+] Mark Hunt (11-10-1) via KO (Punch) in 3:00 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jared Rosholt 84, Roy Nelson 133
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Light Heavyweight (205)
[#13] Ovince St. Preux (18-7-0, -362) vs. [#52] Rafael Cavalcante (12-6-0, +286)

Last 3 Fights: Ovince St. Preux (2-1-0)
2015-08-08: L vs. [#7LHW] Glover Teixeira (24-4-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:10 of round 3
2015-04-18: W vs. [#32LHW] Patrick Cummins (8-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:54 of round 1
2014-11-08: W vs. [#11LHW] Mauricio Rua (23-10-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:34 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Rafael Cavalcante (1-2-0)
2015-08-01: L vs. [#32LHW] Patrick Cummins (8-3-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 0:45 of round 3
2014-06-14: L vs. [#4LHW] Ryan Bader (20-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2013-11-09: W vs. [#87LHW] Igor Pokrajac (28-12-0) via TKO (Knees and Punches) in 1:18 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ovince St. Preux 182, Rafael Cavalcante 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Ovince St. Preux leads 2-1
.
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Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-31-2016)

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Jason

Sage Northcutt vs. Bryan Barberena will be the lowest ranked fight ever on Fox

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Richard Mann

This Saturday night, the UFC’s most recent supposed wunderkind, Sage Northcutt, will fight for the first time on a Fox main card.

This event will be the 18th UFC event on the network. Northcutt, who is currently ranked #133 at lightweight, will not be the lowest ranked fighter to ever compete on the network. That distinction belongs to Bobby Voelker who came in ranked #152 for UFC on Fox 8 in 2013. However, Northcutt’s fight against Bryan Barberena (#109 at lightweight) will be the lowest ranked bout to ever be part of a UFC on Fox main card.

The following table shows the ten lowest ranked bouts to appear on the main card of a UFC on Fox show. Average rank is simply the average of the fighter’s rankings taken from that event’s Fight Matrix Program.

Fighter 1	Fighter 2	Average Rank	Event	Date
Bryan Barberena	Sage Northcutt	121	UFC on Fox 18	1/30/2016
Akira Corassani	Sam Sicilia	91.5	UFC on Fox 14	1/24/2015
Bobby Voelker	Robbie Lawler	81.5	UFC on Fox 8	7/27/2013
Matt Brown	Mike Swick	60.5	UFC on Fox 5	12/8/2012
Joe Lauzon	Mac Danzig	60	UFC on Fox 9	12/14/2013
Lavar Johnson	Pat Barry	48.5	UFC on Fox 3	5/5/2012
Joe Lauzon	Takanori Gomi	35	UFC on Fox 16	7/25/2015
Felice Herrig	Paige VanZant	32.5	UFC on Fox 15	4/18/2015
Jamie Varner	Joe Lauzon	30.5	UFC on Fox 4	8/4/2012
Edson Barboza	Paul Felder	28	UFC on Fox 16	7/25/2015

As you can see, it is not particularly close. Saturday’s fight will be the first Fox bout to feature two fighters with triple-digit rankings. In fact, Northcutt and Barberena are two of the four lowest ranked fighters to ever grace a Fox main card.
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UFC on Fox 18: Johnson vs. Bader – Who’s Getting Paid?

Posted on January 28, 2016 by McKinley Noble

UFC on Fox 18 is do-or-die time for Ryan Bader. If the Ultimate Fighter winner is finally going to get his long overdue title shot for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, he has to get past fellow blue-chip-prospect-turned-veteran Anthony Johnson, and that’s one heck of a tall order.

That’s just the peak of another excellent UFC on Fox card to date, as a heavyweight tilt between Ben Rothwell and Josh Barnett lights up the co-main, while rising talents Jimmie Rivera and Sage Northcutt face their own litmus tests. As usual, let’s see what kind of money is on the line this Saturday as we tally the previous UFC fighter salaries (plus most-recent Reebok payouts) for every main card talent.

Note: Divisional rankings via Fight Matrix. UFC salaries and Reebok figures via MMA Payout and MMA Junkie.

Anthony Johnson [#3 LHW]
$245,000 = $115,000/$115,000 + $15,000* [UFC 191]

Ryan Bader [#4 LHW]
$47,000** [UFC on Fox 4]

Analysis: Categorically, there’s very little difference between Bader and Johnson as far as their athletic achievements in MMA. Both are top-flight 205-ers with dominant wins over former UFC champions, and both have had solid claims at title contention since last year.

However, their differences are far more pronounced just looking at the discrepancy in their last-disclosed fighter pay figures. Bader’s $47,000 KO loss to Lyoto Machida is pretty much his most-watched highlight outside of getting leapfrogged by Jon Jones, while Johnson’s six-figure tag has climbed with every dramatic knockout victory. It’s a shame that this event is in New Jersey, too. Since that athletic commission doesn’t disclose fighter salaries, we won’t know if the UFC currently pays Bader anywhere near as much in base/win salary as his dance partner.

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Fight Matrix Program: UFC on FOX 18 – Johnson/Bader (01-30-2016)

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Jason

Light Heavyweight (205)
[#3] Anthony Johnson (20-5-0, -332) vs. [#4] Ryan Bader (20-4-0, +260)
Anthony Johnson is the All-Time #15 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Ryan Bader is the All-Time #19 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Anthony Johnson (2-1-0)
2015-09-05: W vs. [#14LHW] Jimi Manuwa (15-2-0) via KO (Punches) in :28 of round 2
2015-05-23: L vs. [#2LHW/#10DD/#7P4P] Daniel Cormier (17-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:39 of round 3
2015-01-24: W vs. [#6LHW] Alexander Gustafsson (16-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:15 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Ryan Bader (3-0-0)
2015-10-03: W vs. [#8LHW] Rashad Evans (21-4-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-01-24: W vs. [#5LHW] Phil Davis (15-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2014-08-16: W vs. [#13LHW] Ovince St. Preux (18-7-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Anthony Johnson 147, Ryan Bader 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
.

Heavyweight (265)
[#9] Ben Rothwell (35-9-0, +113) vs. [#12] Josh Barnett (34-7-0, -135)
Josh Barnett is the All-Time #7 ranked Heavyweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Ben Rothwell (3-0-0)
2015-06-06: W vs. [#24HW+] Matt Mitrione (9-5-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:54 of round 1
2014-09-05: W vs. [#3HW+] Alistair Overeem (40-14-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:19 of round 1
2013-08-31: W vs. [#61HW+] Brandon Vera (14-7-0) via TKO (Punches and Knees) in 1:54 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Josh Barnett (2-1-0)
2015-09-26: W vs. [#25HW+] Roy Nelson (20-12-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2013-12-28: L vs. [#8HW+] Travis Browne (18-3-1) via KO (Elbows) in 1:00 of round 1
2013-08-31: W vs. [#10HW+] Frank Mir (18-10-0) via TKO (Knee) in 1:56 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ben Rothwell 238, Josh Barnett 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Josh Barnett leads 3-2
.

Bantamweight (135)
[#12] Iuri Alcantara (32-6-0, +141) vs. [#16] Jimmie Rivera (18-1-0, -167)

Last 3 Fights: Iuri Alcantara (2-1-0)
2015-08-01: W vs. [#39BW] Leandro Issa (13-5-0) via UD (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-02-22: L vs. [#17BW] Frankie Saenz (11-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2014-09-13: W vs. [#51BW] Russell Doane (14-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Jimmie Rivera (3-0-0)
2015-11-07: W vs. [#27BW] Pedro Munhoz (12-2-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2015-07-18: W vs. [#91BW] Marcus Brimage (7-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:29 of round 1
2015-05-09: W vs. [#159BW] Carson Beebe (15-4-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:16 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Iuri Alcantara 182, Jimmie Rivera 84
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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Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-24-2016)

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Jason

Comparing Mike Jackson, Mickey Gall and CM Punk to the 2015 UFC Rookie Class

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Richard Mann

During an appearance on “Off the Record” with Michael Landsberg on Wednesday, UFC President Dana White finally released some details about Phil “CM Punk” Brooks’ debut opponent. White indicated that Mickey Gall, who was recently featured on the UFC’s “Looking for a Fight” series, will face Mike Jackson at UFC 196. With a victory, he will be Punk’s first opponent.

Punk and Jackson will make their debuts with 0-0 professional records. Gall is 1-0. In 2015, the UFC put on more shows than any other year. To compensate, the UFC signed a vast number of new fighters. The term “UFC veteran” had already lost a lot of its luster, and after 2015 it holds less weight than ever before. Fighters have made their professional debut in the modern UFC before such as TUF veterans like Amir Sadollah, Matt Riddle and Matt Mitrione or as special attractions like James Toney. Although all of them either had amateur fights or experience in another combat sport.

With all that being said, in 2015 no fighter made their UFC debut without at least one professional win. If you are curious to see how Jackson, Gall and Punk stacks up with recent signees, the following is a by-the-numbers look at 2015 UFC rookie class.
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Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-18-2016)

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Jason

UFC Fight Night 81: Dillashaw vs. Cruz – Who’s Getting Paid?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by McKinley Noble

Dominick Cruz is back, ladies and gentlemen. No injuries, no more torn ligaments, and nothing short of a freak sauna accident can ruin UFC Fight Night 81 now. That’s clearly tempting fate, but given the UFC’s good run of luck lately, it’s a risk this author is willing to take. Although this Sunday isn’t the strongest of cards from top to bottom, the headliner is as dynamite as the modern MMA fan could ever ask for, especially on cable television.

Moreover, Cruz is in the most important fight of his life, as current UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw aims to ruin the former 135-pound kingpin’s return. The stakes are pretty high here, so let’s do our usual thing and run down the previous UFC salaries (with last Reebok sponsorship payouts) for all the main card talent on UFC Fight Night 81.

Note: Divisional rankings via Fight Matrix. UFC salaries and Reebok figures via MMA Payout and MMA Junkie.

T.J. Dillashaw [#1 BW]
$100,000 = $50,000/$50,000 [UFC 177]

Dominick Cruz [N/A]
$100,000 = $50,000/$50,000 [UFC 178]

Analysis: If you need to guess any financial indicator of Dominick Cruz’s lost time in this sport, just look at his UFC 177 paycheck and think about how many more he’s missed. Had Cruz never torn his ACL in May 2012 and been healthy enough to fight a couple times a year, he could’ve banked at least a few million dollars in the prime of his career. Now the champ is just a couple months shy of 31 years old, and will only be stepping into the Octagon twice in over a 1500-day span. Thankfully, Cruz took to his Fox Sports analyst role like a duck to water, so he’s had a solid day job to pad things out.

On the other side, T.J. Dillashaw has enjoyed a huge (disclosed) pay bump since dominating former champion Renan Barao. Back at UFC 173, Dillashaw only made a recorded $36,000 in victory, and that doesn’t include the sponsorship money he used to enjoy.

Plenty of grief has also been heaped on Dillashaw for moving from the ridiculously-named Team Alpha Male to Muscle Pharm & Elevation Fight Team, but for a man barely making a comfortable living just a couple of years ago, the move makes so much sense. Without title contention, Dillashaw’s Reebok pay drops to $10,000 per bout, and who knows whether Zuffa would issue an immediate pay cut.

At the very least, both men will be paid relatively better for bantamweights than the last time Dominick Cruz main-evented a card with reported fighter salaries. At UFC 132, both Cruz and Urijah Faber made a combined $72,000 for their five-round title fight barnburner.

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Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 81 – Dillashaw/Cruz (01-17-2016)

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Jason

Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#10DD/#9P4P] T.J. Dillashaw (12-2-0, -138) vs. [*] Dominick Cruz (20-1-0, +115)
T.J. Dillashaw is the All-Time #4 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Dominick Cruz is the All-Time #3 ranked Bantamweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: T.J. Dillashaw (3-0-0)
2015-07-25: W vs. [#3BW] Renan Barao (33-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:35 of round 4
2014-08-30: W vs. [#79BW] Joe Soto (15-5-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:20 of round 5
2014-05-24: W vs. [#3BW] Renan Barao (33-3-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 2:26 of round 5

Last 3 Fights: Dominick Cruz (3-0-0)
2014-09-27: W vs. [#20BW] Takeya Mizugaki (21-9-2) via KO (Punches) in 1:01 of round 1
2011-10-01: W vs. [#1FLY/#4DD/#2P4P] Demetrious Johnson (23-2-1) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
2011-07-02: W vs. [#2BW] Urijah Faber (33-8-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: T.J. Dillashaw 176, Dominick Cruz 477
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.

Lightweight (155)
[#2] Anthony Pettis (18-3-0, -328) vs. [#6] Eddie Alvarez (26-4-0, +260)
Anthony Pettis is the All-Time #8 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Eddie Alvarez is the All-Time #9 ranked Lightweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Anthony Pettis (2-1-0)
2015-03-14: L vs. [#1LW/#2DD/#4P4P] Rafael dos Anjos (25-7-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2014-12-06: W vs. [#7LW] Gilbert Melendez (22-5-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:53 of round 2
2013-08-31: W vs. [#10WW] Ben Henderson (23-5-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:31 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Eddie Alvarez (2-1-0)
2015-06-13: W vs. [#7LW] Gilbert Melendez (22-5-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2014-09-27: L vs. [#3LW] Donald Cerrone (28-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2013-11-02: W vs. [#14LW] Michael Chandler (14-3-0) via SD (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Anthony Pettis 309, Eddie Alvarez 218
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Anthony Pettis leads 2-1
.

Heavyweight (265)
[#9] Travis Browne (17-3-1, -157) vs. [#19] Matt Mitrione (9-4-0, +132)

Last 3 Fights: Travis Browne (1-2-0)
2015-05-23: L vs. [#6HW+] Andrei Arlovski (25-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:41 of round 1
2014-12-06: W vs. [#30HW+] Brendan Schaub (10-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:50 of round 1
2014-04-19: L vs. [#1HW+/#7DD/#5P4P] Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)

Last 3 Fights: Matt Mitrione (2-1-0)
2015-06-06: L vs. [#8HW+] Ben Rothwell (35-9-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:54 of round 1
2014-12-13: W vs. [#28HW+] Gabriel Gonzaga (17-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:59 of round 1
2014-09-05: W vs. [#35HW+] Derrick Lewis (13-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:41 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Travis Browne 239, Matt Mitrione 225
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Travis Browne leads 2-1
.
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Current MMA Rankings Updated (01-10-2016)

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Jason

2015 Awards: Men’s Fighters of the Year

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Jason

As a recap, most “Fighter of the Year” awards on other sites are really “Breakout Fighter of the Year” awards in that fighters who win, were usually not top fighters in the beginning of the year, but became so by the end of the year.

A fighter like this can and has won our FotY awards, but our award is more about maintaining a high standing during the award year by performing well a sufficient number of times and against a sufficient quality of opponents. It is more comparable to a season MVP in major team sports, not a playoffs/surprise MVP.

Winner: Conor McGregor

For us, it was a very tight call this year. But having fought three times, two of which involving some form of the Featherweight title. It’s hard to deny that McGregor is the fighter of the year for 2015.

Runner-Up: Rafael dos Anjos

The reign of Rafael dos Anjos at Lightweight is starting to look like one that can last a very long time. Although he only fought twice in 2015 — which is usually the case once a fighter gains a major belt, his presence as a top fighter in the sport is one that sees him as high as #2 on some pound-for-pound lists and #3 on ours.

3rd Place: Demetrious Johnson

Like “Cyborg”, the #3 for Women’s Fighter of the Year, DJ did nothing overly impressive this year, but defended his belt twice in dominant fashion. He still owns the Flyweight division and lingers toward the top of the pound-for-pound lists.