Notable Info
- Semi-annual community adjustment made for Japan population – was a good 6 months for them.
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Friday, March 6th 2026: RIZIN 52 | |||
 [#5 W105] Saori Oshima | [#11 W105] Keito Oyama | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 11/02/2025 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [#1 W105] Seika Izawa Last 5: W L L W L | Last Fight Date: 11/02/2025 [Rizin Fighting Federation] Last Opponent: [NR] Bo Mi Lee Last 5: L W W W W | ||
| Sunday, March 8th 2026: Deep Osaka Impact 2026 1st Round | |||
| [#7 W105] Moeri Suda | [#10 W105] Namiko Kawabata | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 9/15/2025 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#5 W105] Saori Oshima Last 5: W W W W L | Last Fight Date: 5/25/2025 [DEEP] Last Opponent: [#36 W105] Honoka Shigeta Last 5: L L L W W | ||
| Friday, March 20th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Madrid - Van Steenis vs. Edwards 2 | |||
 [#8 MW] Costello Van Steenis |  [#13 MW] Fabian Edwards | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 7/19/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#14 MW] Johnny Eblen Last 5: W L W W W | Last Fight Date: 8/21/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#29 MW] Dalton Rosta Last 5: W L W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#5 LW] |  Justin Gaethje | [#11 LW] | Paddy Pimblett | |
| [#1 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | [#1 WW] |  Islam Makhachev | |
| [#2 LW] |  Arman Tsarukyan | [NR] |  Conor McGregor | |
| [NR] | Khabib Nurmagomedov | [#3 BW] | Sean OMalley | |
| [#174 MW] | Andrey Pulyaev | [#1 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev |
Aaron Pico faces unusually tough debut opponent at Bellator NYC
On Saturday, wrestling prodigy Aaron Pico will make his MMA debut on the main card of Bellator 180/NYC. For the uninitiated, Pico made news in 2014 when he left high school wrestling and forfeited any potential collegiate wrestling career to sign with Zinkin Entertainment. He continued to compete in freestyle wrestling for a shot at the Olympics, but MMA was always the ultimate goal. This past summer he ended up one match short of winning the U.S. Olympic Trials and has since focused on his MMA debut.
In his debut, the 20-year-old fighter will face Zach Freeman. “The Altar Boy” holds an 8-2 professional record and has been ranked as high as #118 LW in the Fight Matrix system. It is safe to say that Pico will face one of the toughest debut opponents for a wrestling prospect in the last 10 years.
The following table shows the debut opponents for all NCAA Division I wrestling All-Americans in the last 10 years who have transitioned into MMA. As you can see, only three others besides Pico have faced fighters who were ever ranked and only two others faced opponents who were ranked at the time. Freeman also has more wins that any of the other opponents, slightly beating out Phil Davis’ debut opponent Brett Chism.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night 112: Chiesa/Lee (06-25-2017)
Lightweight (155)
[#9] Kevin Lee (15-2-0, -134) vs. [#13] Michael Chiesa (14-2-0, +109)
Last 3 Fights: Kevin Lee (3-0-0)
2017-03-11: W vs. [#21LW] Francisco Trinaldo (21-5-0) via in 3:12 of round 2
2016-11-19: W vs. [#76LW] Magomed Mustafaev (13-2-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:31 of round 2
2016-07-08: W vs. [#93LW] Jake Matthews (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:06 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Michael Chiesa (3-0-0)
2016-04-16: W vs. [#12LW] Beneil Dariush (14-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:20 of round 2
2015-12-10: W vs. [#19LW] Jim Miller (28-9-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:57 of round 2
2015-04-04: W vs. [#336LW] Mitch Clarke (11-4-0) via UD (29-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Kevin Lee 106, Michael Chiesa 435
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Michael Chiesa leads 2-1
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Middleweight (185)
[#16] Johny Hendricks (18-6-0, -221) vs. [#20] Tim Boetsch (20-11-0, +178)
Johny Hendricks is the All-Time #40 ranked Absolute fighter.
Tim Boetsch is the All-Time #45 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Johny Hendricks (1-2-0)
2017-02-19: W vs. [#44MW] Hector Lombard (34-7-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2016-12-30: L vs. [#9WW] Neil Magny (19-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-07-09: L vs. [#10MW] Kelvin Gastelum (13-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Tim Boetsch (2-1-0)
2017-02-11: L vs. [#6MW] Ronaldo Souza (24-5-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 3:41 of round 1
2016-11-12: W vs. [#30MW] Rafael Natal (21-8-1) via KO (Punches) in 3:22 of round 1
2016-07-13: W vs. [*] Josh Samman (12-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:49 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Johny Hendricks 126, Tim Boetsch 134
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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Women Strawweight (115)
[#18] Felice Herrig (12-6-0, -116) vs. [#26] Justine Kish (6-0-0, -110)
Last 3 Fights: Felice Herrig (2-1-0)
2017-02-04: W vs. [#32SW] Alexa Grasso (9-1-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2016-07-23: W vs. [#88SW] Kailin Curran (4-4-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:59 of round 1
2015-04-18: L vs. [#34SW] Paige VanZant (7-3-0) via UD (30-26, 29-27, 30-26)
Last 3 Fights: Justine Kish (3-0-0)
2016-12-09: W vs. [#53SW] Ashley Yoder (5-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-82)
2016-01-02: W vs. [#44SW] Nina Ansaroff (7-5-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2014-01-24: W vs. [#8SW] Randa Markos (7-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Felice Herrig 141, Justine Kish 198
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 – Bellator 180: Sonnen/Silva (06-24-2017)
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#40] Chael Sonnen (28-15-1) vs. [*] Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1)
Chael Sonnen is the All-Time #44 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Wanderlei Silva is the All-Time #3 ranked Light Heavyweight and #17 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Chael Sonnen (1-2-0)
2017-01-21: L vs. [*] Tito Ortiz (20-12-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:03 of round 1
2013-11-16: L vs. [#31MW] Rashad Evans (21-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:05 of round 1
2013-08-17: W vs. [#8LHW] Mauricio Rua (25-10-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:47 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Wanderlei Silva (2-1-0)
2013-03-03: W vs. [*] Brian Stann (12-6-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:08 of round 2
2012-06-23: L vs. [*] Rich Franklin (29-7-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2011-11-19: W vs. [*] Cung Le (9-3-0) via TKO (Knees and Punches) in 4:49 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Chael Sonnen 154, Wanderlei Silva 1574
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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Heavyweight (265)
[#21] Matt Mitrione (11-5-0) vs. [#29] Fedor Emelianenko (36-4-0)
Fedor Emelianenko is the All-Time #1 ranked Heavyweight and #4 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Matt Mitrione (2-1-0)
2016-07-16: W vs. [#58HW+] Oli Thompson (17-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:21 of round 2
2016-06-24: W vs. [#104HW+] Carl Seumanutafa (10-7-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:22 of round 1
2016-01-17: L vs. [#11HW+] Travis Browne (18-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Fedor Emelianenko (3-0-0)
2016-06-17: W vs. [#91HW+] Fabio Maldonado (23-11-0) via MD (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
2015-12-31: W vs. [#272HW+] Jaideep Singh (2-2-0) via TKO (Submission to Punches) in 3:02 of round 1
2012-06-21: W vs. [*] Pedro Rizzo (20-11-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:24 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Matt Mitrione 343, Fedor Emelianenko 372
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)
[#10] Lorenz Larkin (18-5-0) vs. [#15] Douglas Lima (28-6-0)
Douglas Lima is the All-Time #47 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Lorenz Larkin (2-1-0)
2016-08-20: W vs. [#9WW] Neil Magny (19-5-0) via in 4:08 of round 1
2016-05-29: W vs. [#5WW] Jorge Masvidal (32-12-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-01-02: L vs. [#43WW] Albert Tumenov (18-4-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Douglas Lima (2-1-0)
2016-11-10: W vs. [#19WW] Andrey Koreshkov (19-2-0) via in of round 3
2016-07-16: W vs. [#44WW] Paul Daley (39-15-2) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-07-17: L vs. [#19WW] Andrey Koreshkov (19-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 48-47)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Lorenz Larkin 308, Douglas Lima 226
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 Fight Night 111: Holm/Correia (06-17-2017)
Women Bantamweight (135)
[#6] Holly Holm (10-3-0, -608) vs. [#13] Bethe Correia (10-2-1, +430)
Holly Holm is the All-Time #17 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Holly Holm (0-3-0)
2017-02-11: L vs. [#2FW/#8DD/#10P4P] Germaine de Randamie (7-3-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2016-07-23: L vs. [#2BW/#4DD/#6P4P] Valentina Shevchenko (14-2-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2016-03-05: L vs. [*] Miesha Tate (18-7-0) via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:30 of round 5
Last 3 Fights: Bethe Correia (1-1-1)
2017-03-11: D vs. [#17BW] Marion Reneau (7-3-1) via in 5:00 of round 3
2016-09-10: W vs. [#21BW] Jessica Eye (11-6-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2016-04-16: L vs. [#3BW/#6DD/#7P4P] Raquel Pennington (9-5-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Holly Holm 126, Bethe Correia 98
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Holly Holm leads 3-0
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Heavyweight (265)
[#17] Andrei Arlovski (25-14-0, +197) vs. [#23] Marcin Tybura (15-2-0, -245)
Andrei Arlovski is the All-Time #16 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Andrei Arlovski (0-3-0)
2017-01-28: L vs. [#8HW+] Francis Ngannou (10-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 1
2016-09-03: L vs. [#7HW+] Josh Barnett (35-8-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:53 of round 3
2016-05-08: L vs. [#3HW+] Alistair Overeem (42-15-0) via TKO (Front Kick and Punches) in 1:12 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Marcin Tybura (2-1-0)
2017-03-04: W vs. [#105HW+] Luis Henrique Barbosa de (10-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:46 of round 3
2016-08-06: W vs. [#104HW+] Viktor Pesta (10-4-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 0:53 of round 2
2016-04-10: L vs. [#22HW+] Timothy Johnson (11-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Andrei Arlovski 140, Marcin Tybura 105
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)
[#19] Dong Hyun Kim (22-3-1, +174) vs. [#25] Colby Covington (11-1-0, -214)
Dong Hyun Kim is the All-Time #40 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Dong Hyun Kim (3-0-0)
2016-12-30: W vs. [#27WW] Tarec Saffiedine (16-6-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
2015-11-28: W vs. [#412WW] Dominic Waters (9-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:11 of round 1
2015-05-23: W vs. [#85LW] Joshua Burkman (28-15-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:13 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Colby Covington (3-0-0)
2016-12-17: W vs. [#48WW] Bryan Barberena (13-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-08-20: W vs. [#84WW] Max Griffin (13-3-0) via in 2:18 of round 3
2016-06-18: W vs. [#175WW] Jonathan Meunier (8-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 0:54 of round 3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dong Hyun Kim 169, Colby Covington 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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Fight Matrix Program – UFC Fight Night 110: Hunt/Lewis (06-10-2017)
Heavyweight (265)
[#7] Mark Hunt (12-11-1, -102) vs. [#8] Derrick Lewis (18-4-0, -123)
Mark Hunt is the All-Time #22 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Mark Hunt (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2017-03-04: L vs. [#3HW+] Alistair Overeem (42-15-0) via KO (Knee) in 1:44 of round 3
2016-07-09: NC vs. [*] Brock Lesnar (5-3-0)
2016-03-19: W vs. [*] Frank Mir (18-11-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:01 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Derrick Lewis (3-0-0)
2017-02-19: W vs. [#11HW+] Travis Browne (18-6-1) via KO (Punches) in 3:12 of round 2
2016-12-09: W vs. [#47HW+] Shamil Abdurakhimov (17-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:42 of round 4
2016-07-07: W vs. [#18HW+] Roy Nelson (22-14-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Mark Hunt 98, Derrick Lewis 111
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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Middleweight (185)
[#15] Derek Brunson (16-5-0, -260) vs. [#18] Daniel Kelly (13-1-0, +212)
Last 3 Fights: Derek Brunson (1-2-0)
2017-02-11: L vs. [#8MW] Anderson Silva (34-8-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2016-11-26: L vs. [#5MW] Robert Whittaker (18-4-0) via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) in 4:07 of round 1
2016-09-17: W vs. [#20MW] Uriah Hall (12-8-0) via TKO (Punch) in 1:41 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Daniel Kelly (3-0-0)
2017-03-04: W vs. [#28MW] Rashad Evans (21-6-1) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2016-11-26: W vs. [#49MW] Chris Camozzi (24-13-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
2016-03-19: W vs. [#26MW] Antonio Carlos Jr. (8-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:36 of round 3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Derek Brunson 119, Daniel Kelly 98
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Derek Brunson leads 1-0
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Flyweight (125)
[#8] Tim Elliott (14-7-1) vs. [#17] Ben Nguyen (15-6-0)
Tim Elliott is the All-Time #36 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Tim Elliott (2-1-0)
2017-04-15: W vs. [#22FLY] Louis Smolka (11-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-12-03: L vs. [#1FLY/#4DD/#1P4P] Demetrious Johnson (26-2-1) via UD (49-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2016-03-04: W vs. [#120FLY] Pedro Nobre (18-3-2) via UD (50-46, 50-45, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Ben Nguyen (2-1-0)
2016-11-26: W vs. [#64FLY] Geane Herrera (9-3-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-07-13: L vs. [#22FLY] Louis Smolka (11-4-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:41 of round 2
2015-11-14: W vs. [#39FLY] Ryan Benoit (9-5-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:35 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tim Elliott 56, Ben Nguyen 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Tim Elliott leads 1-0
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Gustafsson-Texeira Eye Poke
Once again… it seems like a weekly segment can be written about fouls and their mishandling in the world of MMA these days.
On Sunday night, Stockholm time, a potentially very intriguing fight between Alexander Gustafsson and Glover Texeira took place. Both have been at the top of the light heavyweight division for a long time, and this was one of the few fights between the very best in that division which had yet to be made. So, apart from the fact that they both already fought for the title and lost, it was a very interesting fight.
And the fight indeed started quite interestingly. Unfortunately, in the middle of the very first round Gustafsson apparently poked Texeira in the eye. Marc Goddard stopped the action, called in the doctor and told Texeira emphatically that he doesn’t have any time to recover and that he needs to decide immediately whether he can continue to fight or not.
Fighters are usually very reluctant to say they cannot fight. They prepare for months for these fights, their livelihood depends on these fights and it’s very important for fighters to have success in their careers to always feel like they can overcome any adversity. Plus, they usually get a lot of scrutiny from fans and promotions alike for quitting mid-fight. So while it may be the smart move for a fighter to quit for any reason that would compromise his fighting ability, most times fighters try to push through and keep fighting.
Fight Matrix Program – UFC 212: Aldo/Holloway (06-03-2017)
Featherweight Championship (145)
[#1/#6DD/#5P4P] Jose Aldo (26-2-0, -142) vs. [#2/#7DD/#6P4P] Max Holloway (17-3-0, +116)
Jose Aldo is the All-Time #1 ranked Featherweight and #3 ranked Absolute fighter.
Max Holloway is the All-Time #8 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Jose Aldo (2-1-0)
2016-07-09: W vs. [#3FW] Frankie Edgar (22-5-1) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
2015-12-12: L vs. [#1LW/#9DD/#8P4P] Conor McGregor (21-3-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:13 of round 1
2014-10-25: W vs. [*] Chad Mendes (17-4-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Max Holloway (3-0-0)
2016-12-10: W vs. [#9LW] Anthony Pettis (19-6-0) via TKO (Kick to the Body and Punches) in 4:50 of round 3
2016-06-04: W vs. [#4FW] Ricardo Lamas (17-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-12-12: W vs. [#11FW] Jeremy Stephens (25-14-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jose Aldo 329, Max Holloway 175
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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Women Strawweight (115)
[#3/#10DD/#8P4P] Claudia Gadelha (14-2-0, -290) vs. [#6] Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-1-0, +230)
Claudia Gadelha is the All-Time #24 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Claudia Gadelha (2-1-0)
2016-11-19: W vs. [#19SW] Cortney Casey (6-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-07-08: L vs. [#1SW/#1DD/#1P4P] Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0-0) via UD (48-45, 48-46, 48-46)
2015-08-01: W vs. [#20SW] Jessica Aguilar (19-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Karolina Kowalkiewicz (2-1-0)
2016-11-12: L vs. [#1SW/#1DD/#1P4P] Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
2016-07-30: W vs. [#5SW] Rose Namajunas (6-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2016-05-08: W vs. [#71SW] Heather Clark (7-6-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Claudia Gadelha 196, Karolina Kowalkiewicz 203
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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Middleweight (185)
[#11] Vitor Belfort (25-13-0) vs. [#36] Nate Marquardt (35-17-2)
Vitor Belfort is the All-Time #21 ranked Middleweight and #28 ranked Absolute fighter.
Nate Marquardt is the All-Time #6 ranked Middleweight and #49 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Vitor Belfort (0-2-0, 1 NC)
2017-03-11: NC vs. [#10MW] Kelvin Gastelum (13-2-0)
2016-10-08: L vs. [#4MW] Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2) via TKO (Punches) in 2:43 of round 2
2016-05-14: L vs. [#7MW] Ronaldo Souza (24-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:38 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Nate Marquardt (1-2-0)
2017-01-28: L vs. [#29MW] Sam Alvey (30-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-10-01: W vs. [#53MW] Tamdan McCrory (14-5-0) via KO (Punch and Head Kick) in 4:44 of round 2
2016-05-14: L vs. [#25MW] Thiago Santos (14-5-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:39 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Vitor Belfort 84, Nate Marquardt 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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How did Ben Askren drop 44 spots in the rankings without losing?
On Friday, Ben Askren will defend his ONE Championship welterweight title against Agilan Thangalapani. The challenger is 7-0 and currently ranked #204 at middleweight. During his six-fight ONE career, he has fought fighters with the following records: 0-1, 2-2, 3-6, 3-1, 4-5 and 6-2. This is what a title challenger looks like in a promotion run by people who publicly say things like, “If Conor McGregor was a free agent, ONE Championship would not try to sign him.”
Askren left Bellator in 2013 and signed with ONE the following year. During his Bellator run, he went 9-0, won the promotion’s welterweight title and defended it four times. At the time, many expected the Olympic wrestler to sign with the UFC. He even posted on Twitter, “I am now free to go to the UFC and beat whoever I want.” Instead, fans were treated to a never-ending war of words between Askren and UFC president Dana White.
During his time in ONE, his ranking has fallen from #6 welterweight in 2013 all the way to #50 in the current ranking release. This is partially due to inactivity, but his lack of quality opponents is the main impetus for the drop.
In 2014, Askren made his ONE debut with a first-round submission victory over Bakhtiyar Abbasov. He then returned and bested Nobutatsu Suzuki for the promotion’s welterweight title. The following year, he fought to a no contest with Luis Santos after Askren landed an accidental eye poke. The two were supposed to rematch, but Santos missed weight and ate too much brunch, so the fight never materialized. Last year, Askren defeated Nikolay Aleksakhin.
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