Current MMA Rankings Updated (03-21-2019)
Notable Info
- Another mid-week ranking update to test some more server updates and improvements — site should seem faster.
- Men’s Featherweight: Top 550 expanded to Top 600
- Men’s Bantamweight: Top 450 expanded to Top 500
- Men’s Strawweight: Top 25 expanded to Top 30
- Women’s Flyweight: Top 50 expanded to Top 60
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Monday, May 4th 2026: DEEP 131 Impact | |||
 [#2 SW] Sora Sugiyama | [#14 SW] Sukai China | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 12/14/2025 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#7 SW] Haruo Ochi Last 5: - - W W W | Last Fight Date: 3/08/2026 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [NR] Musashi Musashi Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Saturday, May 9th 2026: Combate Global 99 Mexico vs. USA 2 | |||
 [#9 W105] Janet Garcia |  [#13 W105] Melissa Gomez | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 2/26/2026 [Combate Global] Last Opponent: [NR] Flor Hernandez Last 5: W W W W W | Last Fight Date: 11/30/2025 [Open Fight Latam] Last Opponent: [NR] Nicole Artaza Last 5: W W L W W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
| [#6 FW] A.J. McKee |  [#19 FW] Salamat Isbulaev | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 3/20/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#28 FW] Adam Borics Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 2/07/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#25 FW] Jesus Pinedo Last 5: W W W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#18 W125] |  Lucia Szabova | [#1 WW] |  Islam Makhachev | |
| [#13 FW] | Youssef Zalal | [#3 FW] | Aljamain Sterling | |
| [#1 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev | [#3 W135] |  Joselyne Edwards | |
| [#3 WW] |  Jack Della Maddalena | [#42 BW] |  Davey Grant | |
| [#71 MW] |  Dominik Humburger | [#1 LW] |  Ilia Topuria |
Fighters with 5 or more Top 10 Ranked UFC Wins
This is only counting UFC rankings from Feb 5, 2013 when they began. I’m not going to include rankings before this time to keep it simple. This is an imperfect list since many fighters having big wins before the rankings were introduced, top fighters outside the UFC (Mousasi, Rory, Bader etc) and of course some controversial fights that require context. But it’s still an interesting look at the last 6 years.
I looked at fighters that have a lot of hype behind them due to activity and/or win streaks like Khabib, Holloway, Cerrone and Ferguson as well as listed the guys that had 5+ Top 10 wins like Werdum and Cormier.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC on ESPN+ 6: Thompson vs Pettis (03-23-2019)
Welterweight (170)
[#5] Stephen Thompson (14-3-1, -426) vs. [#11LW] Anthony Pettis (21-8-0, +325)
Stephen Thompson is the All-Time #14 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Anthony Pettis is the All-Time #39 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Stephen Thompson (1-2-0)
2018-05-27: L vs. [#7WW] Darren Till (17-2-1) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2017-11-04: W vs. [#4WW] Jorge Masvidal (33-13-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
2017-03-04: L vs. [#2WW/#10DD] Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) via MD (48-47, 47-47, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Anthony Pettis (1-2-0)
2018-10-06: L vs. [#2LW/#9P4P] Tony Ferguson (24-3-0) via TKO (Corner Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
2018-07-07: W vs. [#24WW] Michael Chiesa (15-4-0) via Submission (Triangle Armbar) in 0:52 of round 2
2017-11-11: L vs. [#3LW] Dustin Poirier (24-5-0) via Submission (Body Triangle) in 2:08 of round 3
Odds Favorite (Implied): Stephen Thompson – Win%: 77.48
Elo Favorite (Standard): Stephen Thompson (2000.11) [+54.37] – Win%: 56.18
Elo Favorite (Modified): Stephen Thompson (2008.94) [+96.63] – Win%: 60.42
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Stephen Thompson 300, Anthony Pettis 168
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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Heavyweight (265)
[#7] Curtis Blaydes (10-2-0, -288) vs. [#13] Justin Willis (8-1-0, +230)
Curtis Blaydes is the All-Time #48 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Curtis Blaydes (2-1-0)
2018-11-24: L vs. [#3HW+] Francis Ngannou (13-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:45 of round 1
2018-06-09: W vs. [#8HW+] Alistair Overeem (44-17-0) via TKO (Elbows) in 2:56 of round 3
2018-02-10: W vs. [#14HW+] Mark Hunt (13-14-1) via UD (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Last 3 Fights: Justin Willis (3-0-0)
2018-12-01: W vs. [#14HW+] Mark Hunt (13-14-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-04-21: W vs. [#89HW+] Chase Sherman (12-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2017-12-02: W vs. [#125HW+] Allen Crowder (10-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:33 of round 1
Odds Favorite (Implied): Curtis Blaydes – Win%: 71.01
Elo Favorite (Standard): Curtis Blaydes (1824.08) [+131.83] – Win%: 64.62
Elo Favorite (Modified): Curtis Blaydes (1837.24) [+118.15] – Win%: 62.65
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Curtis Blaydes 119, Justin Willis 112
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#47] John Makdessi (16-6-0) vs. [#235] Jesus Pinedo (16-4-2)
Last 3 Fights: John Makdessi (2-1-0)
2018-07-28: W vs. [#93LW] Ross Pearson (20-15-0) via UD (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
2017-12-16: W vs. [*] Abel Trujillo (14-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-12-10: L vs. [#119LW] Lando Vannata (10-3-2) via KO (Spinning Wheel Kick) in 1:40 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Jesus Pinedo (3-0-0)
2018-11-17: W vs. [#447LW] Devin Powell (9-4-0) via UD ()
2018-06-15: W vs. [#664BW] Carlos Alexandre (6-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:13 of round 2
2018-02-18: W vs. [#1545LW] Joackim Pedro Neto Ferrei (7-6-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:25 of round 1
Elo Favorite (Standard): John Makdessi (1694.41) [+149.58] – Win%: 66.45
Elo Favorite (Modified): John Makdessi (1707.90) [+162.24] – Win%: 67.05
Days Since Last Pro Fight: John Makdessi 238, Jesus Pinedo 126
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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Fight Matrix Program – UFC on ESPN+ 5: Till vs. Masvidal (03-16-2019)
Welterweight (170)
[#4] Darren Till (17-1-1, -249) vs. [*] Jorge Masvidal (32-13-0, +198)
Darren Till is the All-Time #34 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Jorge Masvidal is the All-Time #40 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Darren Till (2-1-0)
2018-09-08: L vs. [#2WW/#10DD] Tyron Woodley (19-4-1) via Submission (Brabo Choke) in 4:19 of round 2
2018-05-27: W vs. [#5WW] Stephen Thompson (14-3-1) via UD (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
2017-10-21: W vs. [#4LW] Donald Cerrone (35-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:20 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Jorge Masvidal (1-2-0)
2017-11-04: L vs. [#5WW] Stephen Thompson (14-3-1) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
2017-05-13: L vs. [#12WW] Demian Maia (26-9-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2017-01-28: W vs. [#4LW] Donald Cerrone (35-11-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:00 of round 2
Odds Favorite (Implied): Darren Till – Win%: 68.01
Elo Favorite (Standard): Darren Till (2026.25) [+108.59] – Win%: 62.15
Elo Favorite (Modified): Darren Till (2016.15) [+43.35] – Win%: 54.73
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Darren Till 189, Jorge Masvidal 497
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Darren Till leads 2-1
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Welterweight (170)
[#13] Leon Edwards (16-3-0, -157) vs. [#15] Gunnar Nelson (17-3-1, +129)
Last 3 Fights: Leon Edwards (3-0-0)
2018-06-23: W vs. [#4LW] Donald Cerrone (35-11-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2018-03-17: W vs. [#74WW] Peter Sobotta (17-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:59 of round 3
2017-09-02: W vs. [#59WW] Bryan Barberena (14-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Gunnar Nelson (2-1-0)
2018-12-08: W vs. [#20WW] Alex Oliveira (20-6-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:17 of round 2
2017-07-16: L vs. [#7WW] Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:22 of round 1
2017-03-18: W vs. [#47WW] Alan Jouban (16-6-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 0:46 of round 2
Odds Favorite (Implied): Leon Edwards – Win%: 58.31
Elo Favorite (Standard): Leon Edwards (2023.58) [+56.09] – Win%: 56.37
Elo Favorite (Modified): Leon Edwards (2005.20) [+42.18] – Win%: 54.60
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Leon Edwards 266, Gunnar Nelson 98
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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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#11] Volkan Oezdemir (15-3-0, +211) vs. [#15] Dominick Reyes (10-0-0, -265)
Volkan Oezdemir is the All-Time #39 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Volkan Oezdemir (1-2-0)
2018-10-27: L vs. [#5LHW] Anthony Smith (31-14-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:26 of round 3
2018-01-20: L vs. [#1HW+/#3DD/#2P4P] Daniel Cormier (22-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:00 of round 2
2017-07-29: W vs. [#21LHW] Jimi Manuwa (17-5-0) via TKO in 0:22 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Dominick Reyes (3-0-0)
2018-10-06: W vs. [#19LHW] Ovince St. Preux (23-12-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2018-05-19: W vs. [#10MW] Jared Cannonier (11-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:55 of round 1
2017-12-02: W vs. [#80LHW] Jeremy Kimball (16-8-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:39 of round 1
Odds Favorite (Implied): Dominick Reyes – Win%: 69.30
Elo Favorite (Standard): Dominick Reyes (1796.49) [+34.52] – Win%: 53.93
Elo Favorite (Modified): Dominick Reyes (1807.15) [+52.83] – Win%: 55.76
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Volkan Oezdemir 140, Dominick Reyes 161
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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Current MMA Rankings Updated (03-12-2019)
Notable Info
- We did some pretty large updates on the server, so just doing a mid-week update. Let us know if you encounter problems!
Fight Matrix Program – UFC on ESPN+ 4: Lewis vs. dos Santos (03-09-2019)
Heavyweight (265)
[#4] Derrick Lewis (21-6-0, +172) vs. [#7] Junior dos Santos (20-5-0, -214)
Derrick Lewis is the All-Time #38 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Junior dos Santos is the All-Time #5 ranked Heavyweight and #26 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Derrick Lewis (2-1-0)
2018-11-03: L vs. [#1HW+/#3DD/#2P4P] Daniel Cormier (22-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:14 of round 2
2018-10-06: W vs. [#9HW+] Alexander Volkov (30-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:49 of round 3
2018-07-07: W vs. [#3HW+] Francis Ngannou (13-3-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Junior dos Santos (2-1-0)
2018-12-01: W vs. [#19HW+] Tai Tuivasa (8-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:30 of round 2
2018-07-14: W vs. [#21HW+] Blagoy Ivanov (16-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2017-05-13: L vs. [#2HW+/#10P4P] Stipe Miocic (18-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:22 of round 1
Odds Favorite (Implied): Junior dos Santos – Win%: 64.96
Elo Favorite (Standard): Derrick Lewis (2056.90) [+29.31] – Win%: 53.34
Elo Favorite (Modified): Junior dos Santos (2050.78) [+4.51] – Win%: 50.49
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Derrick Lewis 126, Junior dos Santos 98
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Junior dos Santos leads 3-2
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Welterweight (170)
[#20] Curtis Millender (17-3-0, -121) vs. [#32] Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (20-5-0, -104)
Last 3 Fights: Curtis Millender (3-0-0)
2018-12-29: W vs. [#56WW] Siyar Bahadurzada (24-7-1) via UD ()
2018-07-07: W vs. [#51WW] Max Griffin (14-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2018-02-18: W vs. [#46WW] Thiago Alves (23-13-0) via KO (Knee) in 4:17 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (3-0-0)
2018-09-22: W vs. [#713WW] Luigi Vendramini (8-1-0) via KO (Flying Knee and Punches) in 1:20 of round 2
2018-05-12: W vs. [#44WW] Sean Strickland (20-3-0) via KO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) in 3:40 of round 1
2017-10-28: W vs. [#51WW] Max Griffin (14-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Odds Favorite (Implied): Curtis Millender – Win%: 51.78
Elo Favorite (Standard): Curtis Millender (1937.95) [+6.67] – Win%: 50.76
Elo Favorite (Modified): Curtis Millender (1935.90) [+37.49] – Win%: 54.09
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Curtis Millender 70, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos 168
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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Welterweight (170)
[#49] Tim Means (28-10-1, -198) vs. [#72] Niko Price (12-2-0, +162)
Last 3 Fights: Tim Means (1-2-0)
2018-11-30: W vs. [#131WW] Ricky Rainey (13-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:18 of round 1
2018-02-03: L vs. [#33WW] Sergio Moraes (14-3-1) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2017-11-18: L vs. [#53WW] Belal Muhammad (14-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Niko Price (2-1-0)
2018-09-08: L vs. [#55WW] Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-1-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:43 of round 1
2018-07-14: W vs. [#143WW] Randy Brown (10-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:09 of round 2
2018-01-27: W vs. [#480WW] George Sullivan (17-8-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:21 of round 2
Odds Favorite (Implied): Tim Means – Win%: 63.51
Elo Favorite (Standard): Tim Means (1707.71) [+92.71] – Win%: 60.43
Elo Favorite (Modified): Tim Means (1783.85) [+127.22] – Win%: 63.57
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tim Means 99, Niko Price 182
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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Fight Matrix Program – UFC 235: Jones vs. Smith (03-02-2019)
Light Heavyweight Championship (205)
[#1/#1P4P] Jon Jones (23-1-0, -1032) vs. [#5] Anthony Smith (31-13-0, +615)
Jon Jones is the All-Time #1 ranked Light Heavyweight and #3 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Jon Jones (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2018-12-29: W vs. [#4LHW] Alexander Gustafsson (18-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:02 of round 3
2017-07-29: NC vs. [#1HW+/#3DD/#2P4P] Daniel Cormier (22-1-0)
2016-04-23: W vs. [#19LHW] Ovince St. Preux (23-12-0) via UD (50-44, 50-45, 50-45)
Last 3 Fights: Anthony Smith (3-0-0)
2018-10-27: W vs. [#11LHW] Volkan Oezdemir (15-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:26 of round 3
2018-07-22: W vs. [#22LHW] Mauricio Rua (26-11-0) via KO (Elbow) in 1:29 of round 1
2018-06-09: W vs. [*] Rashad Evans (21-8-1) via KO (Knee) in 0:53 of round 1
Odds Favorite (Implied): Jon Jones – Win%: 86.69
Elo Favorite (Standard): Jon Jones (2390.23) [+386.04] – Win%: 85.37
Elo Favorite (Modified): Jon Jones (2377.12) [+379.53] – Win%: 84.04
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jon Jones 63, Anthony Smith 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Welterweight Championship (170)
[#1/#4DD/#6P4P] Tyron Woodley (19-3-1, -189) vs. [#3] Kamaru Usman (14-1-0, +155)
Tyron Woodley is the All-Time #3 ranked Welterweight and #19 ranked Absolute fighter.
Kamaru Usman is the All-Time #34 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Tyron Woodley (3-0-0)
2018-09-08: W vs. [#4WW] Darren Till (17-1-1) via Submission (Brabo Choke) in 4:19 of round 2
2017-07-29: W vs. [#12WW] Demian Maia (26-9-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2017-03-04: W vs. [#5WW] Stephen Thompson (14-3-1) via MD (48-47, 47-47, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Kamaru Usman (3-0-0)
2018-11-30: W vs. [#6WW] Rafael dos Anjos (28-11-0) via UD (49-45, 50-43, 48-47)
2018-05-19: W vs. [#12WW] Demian Maia (26-9-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2018-01-14: W vs. [#33WW] Emil Meek (9-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Odds Favorite (Implied): Tyron Woodley – Win%: 62.51
Elo Favorite (Standard): Tyron Woodley (2368.66) [+156.96] – Win%: 67.20
Elo Favorite (Modified): Tyron Woodley (2274.94) [+124.21] – Win%: 63.27
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tyron Woodley 175, Kamaru Usman 92
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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Welterweight (170)
[#9] Robbie Lawler (28-12-0, +219) vs. [*] Ben Askren (18-0-0, -275)
Robbie Lawler is the All-Time #4 ranked Welterweight and #24 ranked Absolute fighter.
Ben Askren is the All-Time #31 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Robbie Lawler (1-2-0)
2017-12-16: L vs. [#6WW] Rafael dos Anjos (28-11-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
2017-07-29: W vs. [#4LW] Donald Cerrone (35-11-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-07-30: L vs. [#1WW/#4DD/#6P4P] Tyron Woodley (19-3-1) via KO (Punches) in 2:12 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Ben Askren (3-0-0)
2017-11-24: W vs. [#67WW] Shinya Aoki (42-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:57 of round 1
2017-09-02: W vs. [#56MW] Zebaztian Kadestam (11-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 2
2017-05-26: W vs. [#314MW] Agilan Thani (9-3-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:20 of round 1
Odds Favorite (Implied): Ben Askren – Win%: 70.05
Elo Favorite (Standard): Robbie Lawler (2126.98) [+15.38] – Win%: 51.76
Elo Favorite (Modified): Ben Askren (2090.31) [+41.31] – Win%: 54.51
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Robbie Lawler 441, Ben Askren 463
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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The Next Big Event in the Boxing World
There have been few fighters in recent boxing memory as captivating and awe-inspiring as Vasyl Lomachenko. Every time the Ukrainian maestro takes to the ring, it’s a huge event for the sport, one which fans around the world don’t want to miss a second of. The next opportunity to witness modern day boxing greatness from the 31-year-old will fall on April 12th, when British hope Anthony Crolla will be the next challenger to contest Lomachenko’s WBA ‘Super’ and WBO lightweight titles.
A Safe Bet
It’s at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, where Lomachenko will aim to defend his 135-pound belts again. Vasyl is considered a strong favorite at odds of -5000. Notably, the Ukrainian ace also holds the prestigious and highly-regarded Ring Magazine strap, having won it when he brilliantly dethroned Jorge Linares back in May last year.
Incredibly, that victory for ‘Loma’ over the stylish and very popular Linares at the world famous Madison Square Garden in 2018 was his maiden ring outing at lightweight. His 10th-round stoppage success over the Venezuelan saw him become the fastest ever three-weight world champion, earning another slice of history in his already sublime career in the professional ranks.
Lomachenko shot to prominence in a short amount of time as a professional and dazzled anyone who’s had the opportunity to view his incredible credentials up close. Bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, regarded as the favorite in the UFC odds to overcome Henry Cejudo before his eventual upset, was previously involved in the Ukrainian’s camp while the MMA fighter prepared for an upcoming bout in the Octagon.
TJ Dillashaw by K.O. Artist Sports (CC BY 3.0)
Boxing vs MMA: When Worlds Collide
Through the ages, long before the term ‘Mixed Martial Arts’ has ever been uttered or even conceived, the practitioners and spectators of various martial arts and combat sports have asked the question: which art is the most effective of them all? And the beginnings of modern MMA were intended to precisely answer that question (and the answer, at least around the time of early UFCs, was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). Of course the days of “style vs style” are long behind us, and today to be a successful mixed martial artist, one needs to have a diverse skill set that borrows from a plethora of martial arts and styles. However we still experience an occasional cross-over matchup between practitioners of different arts. In this article, I will examine some of the most notable cross-overs between mixed martial arts and boxing.
Conventional wisdom dictates a significant “home court” advantage in a style-vs-style matchup: if a boxer faces a mixed martial artist in a ring under boxing rules, the boxer is a lot more likely to win than if the bout took place under MMA rule set – and vice versa. Betting odds reflect this, and so do most of the past fight outcomes. So if you’re a gambler, you could place a large, relatively safe bet for a comparatively small payoff on the odds favorite. Or you could take a big risk with a small bet on the underdog, in hopes of a big payoff if your prediction comes true. Either way, next time your favorite MMA star steps into the boxing ring, you can get some help from the UK’s betting sites.
Art Jimmerson vs Royce Gracie
While this can’t be exactly be called a “boxing vs MMA” matchup – since MMA did not exist yet, and Royce Gracie represented BJJ in the first UFC – we have to start at the beginning. The very beginning might technically be Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki, but UFC 1 is usually a good starting point for anything MMA-related. Of course the first UFC was organized and promoted by the Gracie family as a means of letting the world know about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and to show that GJJ/BJJ was the supreme martial art. To this end, rumor has it that UFC 1 competitors were not truly the best of the best at their individual sports, to assure an easier path to victory for Royce. Art Jimmerson is a good example of this – while he had a respectable boxing record of 29-5 prior to his fight with Gracie, Jimmerson did not earn many accolades in the boxing world. He also went 4-13 upon returning to the right after his brief UFC stint, indicating that he may have already been past his prime when he faced Gracie. Regardless, Art clearly had no clue of what he was getting himself into – of course, neither did most other UFC 1 contestants. Inexplicably, Jimmerson showed up to his one and only match in the Octagon wearing a single boxing glove, and was quickly taken down and mounted by Gracie. Trapped on his back with no idea how to escape the position, Jimmerson panicked and tapped out rather than absorb needless punishment. And thus began the legend of Royce Gracie.