Rankings Impact: Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: 1st Round
This past weekend Rizin Fighting Federation hosted their fourth event. The card featured several ranked fighters, and the results have made an impact on the Fight Matrix rankings. The following is a breakdown of some of the changes in the rankings after the event.
Rankings Return
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic returned to the heavyweight rankings following his first round submission over Hyun Man Myung. He is now the #31 heavyweight. Myung was unranked headed into the event, but since “Cro Cop” had been dropped from the rankings due to inactivity a simple win was enough to put him back in the top 50.
Rankings Debut
Three fighters, Kron Gracie, Amir Aliakbari and Kanako Murata, made their rankings debut following the event.
Gracie defeated veteran Hideo Tokoro in the main event and now finds himself as the #293 featherweight.
Former two-time world champion Greco-Roman wrestler Amir Aliakbari easily dispatched the former #89 heavyweight Joao Almeida and makes his rankings debut at #116.
Finally, junior world champion wrestler Kanako Murata bested the former #7 atomweight Kyra Batara in order to debut at #39 strawweight.
Moving Up
On a weekend that included plenty of talk about the dearth of challengers for Cris “Cyborg” Justino‘s throne, there was another example in Japan. After going 3-0 against opponents with a combined 2-0 previous record, Gabi Garcia finds herself ranked #9 in the featherweight and over division. She jumped up five spots after defeating Destanie Yarbrough in the card’s opening bout.
Valentin Moldavsky defeated the former #54 heavyweight and moved up 129 spots in the rankings. He is now the #88 heavyweight.
Szymon Bajor went from #125 to #87 heavyweight following his victory over Teodoras Aukstuolis. The Lithuanian fighter had been ranked as the #105 heavyweight.
Dropped Out
Batara actually manged to drop from a top-10 spot to unranked. There are a few factors at play. First, her previous #7 ranking at atomweight was at least partially due to a lack of talent at 105 pounds. For this fight, she bumped up to strawweight and took the loss. So, not only did she lose, but she also reclassified at a much deeper weightclass. If she returns to Combate Americas and wins another atomweight fight, she will most likely return to the top 10.
Richard Mann currently runs the data-driven MMA blog StrikeScoreMMA.com
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Saturday, March 14th 2026: Pancrase - 361 | |||
 [#4 SW] Yuta Miyazawa | [#9 SW] Kanji Funada | ||
|
| |||
| Last Fight Date: 11/09/2025 [Pancrase] Last Opponent: [#33 SW] Tateo Iino Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 4/27/2025 [Pancrase] Last Opponent: [#52 SW] Takafumi Ato Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Friday, March 6th 2026: RIZIN 52 | |||
| [#5 W105] Saori Oshima | [#11 W105] Keito Oyama | ||
|
| |||
| 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 | ||
|
| |||
| 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 | ||
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 | [#1 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev | |
| [#3 BW] | Sean OMalley | [#174 MW] | Andrey Pulyaev |
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 96 – Lineker vs. Dodson (10-01-2016)
Bantamweight (135)
[#5] John Lineker (28-7-0, +100) vs. [#7] John Dodson (18-7-0, -123)
Last 3 Fights: John Lineker (3-0-0)
2016-07-13: W vs. [#29BW] Michael McDonald (17-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:43 of round 1
2016-05-14: W vs. [#35BW] Rob Font (12-2-0) via UD (30-26, 29-28, 30-27)
2015-09-05: W vs. [#49BW] Francisco Rivera (11-7-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:08 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: John Dodson (2-1-0)
2016-04-16: W vs. [#23BW] Manny Gamburyan (15-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:37 of round 1
2015-09-05: L vs. [#1FLY/#1DD/#2P4P] Demetrious Johnson (24-2-1) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2015-05-23: W vs. [#8FLY] Zach Makovsky (19-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: John Lineker 80, John Dodson 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: John Lineker leads 1-0
.
Lightweight (155)
[#4] Will Brooks (18-1-0, -261) vs. [#56WW] Alex Oliveira (14-4-1, +210)
Will Brooks is the All-Time #23 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Will Brooks (3-0-0)
2016-07-08: W vs. [#106WW] Ross Pearson (19-12-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-11-06: W vs. [#17LW] Marcin Held (22-4-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
2015-04-10: W vs. [#43LW] Dave Jansen (20-4-0) via UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Alex Oliveira (2-1-0)
2016-07-23: W vs. [#134WW] James Moontasri (9-4-0) via UD (30-25, 30-26, 30-26)
2016-02-21: L vs. [#5WW] Donald Cerrone (31-7-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 2:33 of round 1
2015-11-07: W vs. [#133FW] Piotr Hallmann (16-6-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:51 of round 3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Will Brooks 85, Alex Oliveira 70
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Flyweight (125)
[#5] Louis Smolka (11-1-0, -395) vs. [#102] Brandon Moreno (11-3-0, +308)
Louis Smolka is the All-Time #15 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Louis Smolka (3-0-0)
2016-07-13: W vs. [#21FLY] Ben Nguyen (14-6-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:41 of round 2
2015-10-24: W vs. [#20FLY] Patrick Holohan (12-2-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:09 of round 2
2015-07-11: W vs. [#26FLY] Neil Seery (16-12-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Brandon Moreno (3-0-0)
2016-04-16: W vs. [NA] Isaac Camarillo (0-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:53 of round 1
2015-07-25: W vs. [#550FLY] Tyler Bialecki (8-6-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:09 of round 1
2015-02-07: W vs. [#284FLY] Matt Betzold (8-7-0) via UD ()
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Louis Smolka 80, Brandon Moreno 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 95 – Cyborg vs. Lansberg (09-24-2016)
Women Featherweight (140)
[#1/#3DD/#3P4P] Cristiane Justino (16-1-0, -1266) vs. [#7] Lina Lansberg (6-1-0, +757)
Cristiane Justino is the All-Time #2 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Cristiane Justino (3-0-0)
2016-05-14: W vs. [#13BW] Leslie Smith (8-7-1) via TKO (Punches) in 1:21 of round 1
2016-01-16: W vs. [#10FW] Daria Ibragimova (9-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:58 of round 1
2015-07-09: W vs. [#17BW] Faith Van Duin (6-2-0) via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) in 0:45 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Lina Lansberg (3-0-0)
2016-03-12: W vs. [#30FW] Maria Hougaard Djursaa (5-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:00 of round 2
2015-11-28: W vs. [#67BW] Lucie Pudilova (4-1-0) via DEC ()
2015-05-16: W vs. [#120BW] Alexandra Buch (8-5-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 2:33 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cristiane Justino 133, Lina Lansberg 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Featherweight (145)
[#33] Renan Barao (33-4-0, -444) vs. [#63] Phillipe Nover (10-6-1, +342)
Last 3 Fights: Renan Barao (1-2-0)
2016-05-29: L vs. [#9FW] Jeremy Stephens (25-12-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-07-25: L vs. [#2BW/#9P4P] T.J. Dillashaw (13-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:35 of round 4
2014-12-20: W vs. [*] Mitch Gagnon (12-3-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:53 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Phillipe Nover (2-1-0)
2015-12-10: L vs. [#60FW] Zubaira Tukhugov (18-4-0) via SD (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-05-16: W vs. [#154FW] Yui Chul Nam (18-6-1) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-01-23: W vs. [#1225LW] Dan Cion (4-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:10 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Renan Barao 118, Phillipe Nover 289
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Heavyweight (265)
[#18] Roy Nelson (21-13-0, -437) vs. [#23] Antonio Silva (19-9-1, +339)
Antonio Silva is the All-Time #23 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Roy Nelson (1-2-0)
2016-07-07: L vs. [#14HW+] Derrick Lewis (16-4-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2016-02-06: W vs. [#26HW+] Jared Rosholt (14-3-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2015-09-26: L vs. [#7HW+] Josh Barnett (35-8-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Antonio Silva (1-2-0)
2016-05-08: L vs. [#17HW+] Stefan Struve (27-8-0) via KO (Elbows) in 0:16 of round 1
2015-11-14: L vs. [#8HW+] Mark Hunt (12-11-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:41 of round 1
2015-08-01: W vs. [*] Soa Palelei (22-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:41 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Roy Nelson 79, Antonio Silva 139
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Antonio Silva leads 2-1
.
Keep Reading
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night – Poirier vs. Johnson (09-17-2016)
Lightweight (155)
[#13] Dustin Poirier (20-4-0, -156) vs. [#14] Michael Johnson (16-10-0, +133)
Last 3 Fights: Dustin Poirier (3-0-0)
2016-06-04: W vs. [#46LW] Bobby Green (23-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:53 of round 1
2016-01-02: W vs. [#56LW] Joseph Duffy (15-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
2015-06-06: W vs. [#70WW] Yancy Medeiros (13-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:38 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Michael Johnson (1-2-0)
2015-12-19: L vs. [#8WW] Nate Diaz (19-11-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-08-08: L vs. [#11LW] Beneil Dariush (13-2-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
2015-02-22: W vs. [#3LW] Edson Barboza (18-4-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dustin Poirier 105, Michael Johnson 273
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Middleweight (185)
[#10] Uriah Hall (12-6-0, +133) vs. [#14] Derek Brunson (15-3-0, -157)
Last 3 Fights: Uriah Hall (2-1-0)
2015-11-14: L vs. [#8MW] Robert Whittaker (16-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2015-09-26: W vs. [#6MW] Gegard Mousasi (39-6-2) via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches) in 0:25 of round 2
2015-08-08: W vs. [#153MW] Oluwale Bamgbose (6-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:32 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Derek Brunson (3-0-0)
2016-02-21: W vs. [#27MW] Roan Carneiro (20-10-0) via KO (Punches) in 2:38 of round 1
2015-08-08: W vs. [#28MW] Sam Alvey (28-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:19 of round 1
2015-01-31: W vs. [#27LHW] Ed Herman (23-12-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:36 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Uriah Hall 308, Derek Brunson 209
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Lightweight (155)
[#15] Evan Dunham (17-6-0, -283) vs. [#35FW] Rick Glenn (18-3-1, +233)
Last 3 Fights: Evan Dunham (3-0-0)
2015-12-11: W vs. [#23LW] Joe Lauzon (26-12-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
2015-07-18: W vs. [#104WW] Ross Pearson (19-12-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2015-01-03: W vs. [*] Rodrigo Damm (12-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Rick Glenn (3-0-0)
2016-06-24: W vs. [#152FW] Ramiro Hernandez (18-9-0) via SD ()
2016-03-19: W vs. [#511FW] Chris Manuel (9-7-2) via TKO (Punches to the Body) in 2:03 of round 3
2015-10-17: W vs. [#403LW] Adam Ward (16-9-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:27 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Evan Dunham 281, Rick Glenn 85
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Comparison: Sherdog vs. Fight Matrix – All-Time Top European Fighters
Sherdog recently released yet another “Top Fighters” list — Top 10 European MMA Fighters of All-Time
Let’s compare…
Sherdog Top 10
- Fedor Emelianenko
- Mirko Filipovic
- Michael Bisping
- Alistair Overeem
- Conor McGregor
- Bas Rutten
- Andrei Arlovski
- Igor Vovchanchyn
- Joanna Jedrzejczyk
- Gegard Mousasi
FightMatrix fighters missing from Sherdog list: Hansen (HM), Schilt (HM)
FightMatrix Top 10 (Absolute All-Time Rating)
- Fedor Emelianenko
- Bas Rutten
- Mirko Filipovic
- Andrei Arlovski
- Michael Bisping
- Alistair Overeem
- Conor McGregor
- Joachim Hansen
- Gegard Mousasi
- Semmy Schilt
Sherdog fighters missing from our list: Vovchanchyn (#17), Jedrzejczyk (#26)
Fight Matrix Program: UFC 203 – Miocic vs. Overeem (09-10-2016)
Heavyweight Championship (265)
[#1/#9DD/#6P4P] Stipe Miocic (15-2-0, -137) vs. [#4] Alistair Overeem (41-14-0, +113)
Stipe Miocic is the All-Time #19 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Alistair Overeem is the All-Time #17 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Stipe Miocic (3-0-0)
2016-05-14: W vs. [#2HW+] Fabricio Werdum (20-6-1) via KO (Punch) in 2:47 of round 1
2016-01-02: W vs. [#9HW+] Andrei Arlovski (25-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 1
2015-05-10: W vs. [#8HW+] Mark Hunt (12-11-1) via TKO (Punches) in 2:47 of round 5
Last 3 Fights: Alistair Overeem (3-0-0)
2016-05-08: W vs. [#9HW+] Andrei Arlovski (25-13-0) via TKO (Front Kick and Punches) in 1:12 of round 2
2015-12-19: W vs. [#5HW+] Junior dos Santos (18-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:43 of round 2
2015-03-14: W vs. [#18HW+] Roy Nelson (21-13-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Stipe Miocic 119, Alistair Overeem 125
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Alistair Overeem leads 6-4
.
Heavyweight (265)
[#2] Fabricio Werdum (20-6-1, -218) vs. [#10] Travis Browne (18-4-1, +176)
Fabricio Werdum is the All-Time #3 ranked Heavyweight and #13 ranked Absolute fighter.
Travis Browne is the All-Time #25 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Fabricio Werdum (2-1-0)
2016-05-14: L vs. [#1HW+/#9DD/#6P4P] Stipe Miocic (15-2-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:47 of round 1
2015-06-13: W vs. [#3HW+] Cain Velasquez (14-2-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:13 of round 3
2014-11-15: W vs. [#8HW+] Mark Hunt (12-11-1) via TKO (Knee and Punches) in 2:27 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Travis Browne (1-2-0)
2016-07-09: L vs. [#3HW+] Cain Velasquez (14-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:57 of round 1
2016-01-17: W vs. [#20HW+] Matt Mitrione (11-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 3
2015-05-23: L vs. [#9HW+] Andrei Arlovski (25-13-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:41 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Fabricio Werdum 119, Travis Browne 63
Previous Match-up Record: Fabricio Werdum leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Fabricio Werdum leads 5-2
.
Welterweight (170)
[#1165] Mickey Gall (2-0-0) vs. [NA] Phil Brooks (DEBUT)
Last 3 Fights: Mickey Gall (2-0-0)
2016-02-06: W vs. [NA] Mike Jackson (0-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 0:45 of round 1
2015-11-21: W vs. [NA] Ron Templeton (0-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:53 of round 1
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Biggest Risers in Current MMA Rankings Update (09-04-2016)
Fight Matrix updates the Current MMA Rankings once a week. As the deepest and most inclusive ranking system in the sport, fights all over the globe can have a major impact on the rankings. Let’s take a look at the biggest risers in the divisional rankings. The number in parenthesis is the number of spots that the fighter moved up from the last issued rankings. For the purpose of this article, fighters who were unranked in the previous ranking iteration are excluded.
Heavyweight
Christian Colombo #123 (52)
Denmark’s Colombo moved up 52 spots after fighting to a draw with Jarjis Danho in his UFC debut. He is now undefeated in seven-straight bouts since falling to current UFC fighter Viktor Pesta in 2012.
Middleweight
Mauricio Alonso #152 (97)
Alonso last fought in the main event of Dragon House 23. There, he scored a unanimous-decision victory over Justin Baseman. The Brazilian fighter holds a 12-7 record as a professional. In his only really big show experience, he fell to Nick Pica on the undercard of Bellator 142 – Dynamite last September.
Welterweight
Ismail Naurdiev #273 (285)
Austrian fighter Naurdiev is now riding a six-fight winning streak after defeating Daniel Skibinski at World Free Fight Challenge 20 on Aug. 27. The 20-year-old fighter trains with Thaiboxing MMA Salzburg.
Keep Reading
Comparison: Sherdog vs. Fight Matrix – All-Time Top Canadian Fighters
Sherdog recently released a list of their Top 10 Canadian MMA Fighters of All-Time
Let’s compare…
Sherdog Top 10
- Georges St. Pierre
- Rory MacDonald
- Patrick Cote
- Carlos Newton
- Mark Hominick
- Sarah Kaufman
- Denis Kang
- Gary Goodridge
- Sam Stout
- TJ Grant
FightMatrix fighters missing from Sherdog list: Carvalho, Doerksen (HM), Davis (HM), Loiseau (HM)
FightMatrix Top 10 (Absolute All-Time Rating)
- Georges St. Pierre
- Rory MacDonald
- Mark Hominick
- Carlos Newton
- Sarah Kaufman
- Antonio Carvalho
- Joe Doerksen
- Denis Kang
- Alexis Davis
- David Loiseau
Sherdog fighters missing from our list: Grant (#11), Goodridge (#13), Cote (#15), Stout (#16)
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 93 – Arlovski vs. Barnett (09-03-2016)
Heavyweight (265)
[#7] Andrei Arlovski (25-12-0, +126) vs. [#15] Josh Barnett (34-8-0, -151)
Andrei Arlovski is the All-Time #10 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Josh Barnett is the All-Time #7 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Andrei Arlovski (1-2-0)
2016-05-08: L vs. [#4HW+] Alistair Overeem (41-14-0) via TKO (Front Kick and Punches) in 1:12 of round 2
2016-01-02: L vs. [#1HW+/#7DD/#6P4P] Stipe Miocic (15-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 1
2015-09-05: W vs. [#11HW+] Frank Mir (18-11-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Josh Barnett (1-2-0)
2016-01-30: L vs. [#10HW+] Ben Rothwell (36-10-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:48 of round 2
2015-09-26: W vs. [#18HW+] Roy Nelson (21-13-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2013-12-28: L vs. [#9HW+] Travis Browne (18-4-1) via KO (Elbows) in 1:00 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Andrei Arlovski 118, Josh Barnett 217
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Josh Barnett leads 5-4
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#6] Alexander Gustafsson (16-4-0, -639) vs. [#31] Jan Blachowicz (19-5-0, +461)
Alexander Gustafsson is the All-Time #20 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexander Gustafsson (1-2-0)
2015-10-03: L vs. [#2LHW/#4P4P] Daniel Cormier (18-1-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
2015-01-24: L vs. [#3LHW] Anthony Johnson (22-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:15 of round 1
2014-03-08: W vs. [#14LHW] Jimi Manuwa (15-2-0) via TKO (Knee and Punches) in 1:18 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Jan Blachowicz (1-2-0)
2016-04-10: W vs. [#85LHW] Igor Pokrajac (28-13-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2015-09-05: L vs. [#17LHW] Corey Anderson (8-2-0) via UD (30-25, 29-26, 30-25)
2015-04-11: L vs. [#14LHW] Jimi Manuwa (15-2-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexander Gustafsson 336, Jan Blachowicz 146
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Alexander Gustafsson leads 1-0
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#5] Ryan Bader (20-5-0, -255) vs. [#18] Ilir Latifi (12-4-0, +210)
Ryan Bader is the All-Time #21 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ryan Bader (2-1-0)
2016-01-30: L vs. [#3LHW] Anthony Johnson (22-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:26 of round 1
2015-10-03: W vs. [#10LHW] Rashad Evans (21-5-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2015-01-24: W vs. [#4LHW] Phil Davis (16-3-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Ilir Latifi (3-0-0)
2016-03-05: W vs. [#39LHW] Gian Villante (14-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2016-01-17: W vs. [#50LHW] Sean OConnell (17-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:30 of round 1
2015-07-18: W vs. [#123LHW] Hans Stringer (22-7-3) via KO (Punches) in 0:56 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ryan Bader 217, Ilir Latifi 182
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Biggest Risers in Current MMA Rankings Update (08-28-2016)
Fight Matrix updates the Current MMA Rankings once a week. As the deepest and most inclusive ranking system in the sport, fights all over the globe can have a major impact on the rankings. Let’s take a look at the biggest risers in the divisional rankings. The number in parenthesis is the number of spots that the fighter moved up from the last issued rankings. For the purpose of this article, fighters who were unranked in the previous ranking iteration are excluded.
Heavyweight
Igor Sliusarchuk #159 (36)
It looks like the correction in the rankings system has rewarded Sliusarchuk with a 36 spot bump. The Ukrainian fighter last fought on Dec. 19 when he scored a 45-second knockout over Emil Zahariev. The 27-year-old fighter holds a 19-8 record as a professional.
Middleweight
Alessio Di Chirico #124 (94)
Di Chirico has quickly risen up the rankings. At UFC on Fox 21, he scored his first UFC victory over Garreth McLellan via split decision. The win improved his record to 10-1. Despite beginning his professional career in 2011, he was allowed to the 2014 IMMAF amateur world championships where he took first place.
Other Notables: Ken Hasegawa #59 (34)
Welterweight
Vuyisile Colossa #284 (134)
The One Championship veteran got back on the winning track with a third-round knockout victory over Marcelo Tenorio under the IMPI World Series Banner. Prior to that, he had lost to Elnur Agaev for Kunlun Fight in his only other bout of 2016. The South African kickboxer fought on the very first One Championship card and holds a 3-1 record in the promotion.
Keep Reading