Comeback Fighter of the Year: Ryan LaFlare
Guys like LaFlare wreak havoc on the ratings — but that’s OK. Almost three years of professional inactivity didn’t seem to affect him at all. He increased his level of opposition significantly and rattled off four wins, three of which were in the UFC. Way to go.
Honorable Mention: Yancy Medeiros
Note: We have two ways that we derive biggest “upsets” based on points difference between winner and loser.
“Most Noteworthy” (X minus Y)
“Most Lopsided” (X divided by Y)
Most Noteworthy: Phil Davis UD(3) Lyoto Machida
I begrudgingly dub this most noteworthy upset of the year. Not only was this a big upset by points, but it was an upset that never should have happened. With the judges asleep at the wheel, we saw Davis get an incredibly dubious decision against Machida. How upsetting.
Honorable Mentions: Antonio Silva KO(3) Alistair Overeem, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira UD(3) Rashad Evans
Most Lopsided: Celine Haga UD(2) Naho Sugiyama
Although Sugiyama was coming off her first loss against Penne, having finally left Japan. Who saw this? Haga, formerly 3-11, beats Sugiyama, 8-1, after “Sugi Rock” returns to the comfortable confines of Japanese soil.
Honorable Mentions: Phil Davis UD(3) Lyoto Machida, Rustam Khabilov UD(3) Jorge Masvidal
| 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 | ||
| [#3 FW] | Diego Lopes | [#19 FW] | Jean Silva | |
| [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | [#1 LW] | Islam Makhachev | |
| [NR] | Matt Brown | [#4 LW] | Charles Oliveira | |
| [NR] |  Conor McGregor | [#90 WW] |  Daniil Donchenko | |
| [NR] | Chris Lytle | [#1 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev |
Men: Steve Mocco
After going 3-0 on the year, with two of those wins coming by stoppage, Mocco has gained a respectable ranking (#87) at the year-end. His wrestling pedigree is sure to see him vault higher up the rankings, but will his lack of height create an issue against the division’s giants?
Honorable Mentions: Mikhail Gazaev, Magomed Biboulatov
Women: Livia Renata Souza
Although listed as a Strawweight by Sherdog’s Fight Finder, she toiled in the barren wasteland that is the Women’s Flyweight division and managed to amass five wins against no losses in 2013. Those performances accumulate to earn her a #6 ranking at year’s end.
Honorable Mentions: Faith Van Duin, Alida Gray
Middleweight Championship (185)
[#1/#2DD/#4P4P] Chris Weidman (10-0-0, +131) vs. [#2/#6P4P] Anderson Silva (33-5-0, -157)
Chris Weidman is the All-Time #7 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Anderson Silva is the All-Time #1 ranked Middleweight and #2 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Chris Weidman (3-0-0)
2013-07-06: W vs. [#2MW/#6P4P] Anderson Silva (33-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:18 of round 2
2012-07-11: W vs. [#11MW] Mark Munoz (13-4-0) via KO (Elbow and Punches) in 1:37 of round 2
2012-01-28: W vs. [#6WW] Demian Maia (18-5-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Anderson Silva (2-1-0)
2013-07-06: L vs. [#1MW/#2DD/#4P4P] Chris Weidman (10-0-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:18 of round 2
2012-10-13: W vs. [*] Stephan Bonnar (15-8-0) via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) in 4:40 of round 1
2012-07-07: W vs. [#7LHW] Chael Sonnen (28-14-1) via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) in 1:55 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Chris Weidman 175, Anderson Silva 175
Previous Match-up Record: Chris Weidman leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#1DD/#1P4P] Ronda Rousey (7-0-0, -780) vs. [#9] Miesha Tate (13-4-0, +505)
Ronda Rousey is the All-Time #8 ranked Women’s fighter.
Miesha Tate is the All-Time #13 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ronda Rousey (3-0-0)
2013-02-23: W vs. [#11BW] Liz Carmouche (9-4-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:49 of round 1
2012-08-18: W vs. [#6BW] Sarah Kaufman (16-3-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 0:54 of round 1
2012-03-03: W vs. [#9BW] Miesha Tate (13-4-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:27 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Miesha Tate (1-2-0)
2013-04-13: L vs. [#3BW/#8DD/#6P4P] Cat Zingano (8-0-0) via TKO (Knees and Elbow) in 2:55 of round 3
2012-08-18: W vs. [*] Julie Kedzie (16-13-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 3:28 of round 3
2012-03-03: L vs. [#1BW/#1DD/#1P4P] Ronda Rousey (7-0-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:27 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronda Rousey 308, Miesha Tate 259
Previous Match-up Record: Ronda Rousey leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Ronda Rousey leads 1-0
.
Heavyweight (265)
[#6] Travis Browne (15-1-1, +168) vs. [#8] Josh Barnett (33-6-0, -205)
Josh Barnett is the All-Time #5 ranked Heavyweight and #25 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Travis Browne (2-1-0)
2013-08-17: W vs. [#9HW+] Alistair Overeem (36-13-0) via KO (Front Kick and Punches) in 4:08 of round 1
2013-04-13: W vs. [#14HW+] Gabriel Gonzaga (16-7-0) via KO (Elbows) in 1:11 of round 1
2012-10-05: L vs. [#4HW+] Antonio Silva (18-5-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:27 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Josh Barnett (2-1-0)
2013-08-31: W vs. [#10HW+] Frank Mir (16-8-0) via TKO (Knee) in 1:56 of round 1
2013-01-12: W vs. [#102HW+] Nandor Guelmino (11-5-1) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:11 of round 1
2012-05-19: L vs. [#3HW+] Daniel Cormier (13-0-0) via UD (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Travis Browne 133, Josh Barnett 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Notable Info
Flyweight Championship (125)
[#1/#5DD/#8P4P] Demetrious Johnson (18-2-1, 125lb) vs. [#2/#8DD/#10P4P] Joseph Benavidez (19-3-0, 125lb)
Demetrious Johnson is the All-Time #5 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Joseph Benavidez is the All-Time #16 ranked Flyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Demetrious Johnson (3-0-0)
2013-07-27: W vs. [#7FLY] John Moraga (13-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 3:43 of round 5
2013-01-26: W vs. [#4FLY] John Dodson (15-6-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
2012-09-22: W vs. [#2FLY/#8DD/#10P4P] Joseph Benavidez (19-3-0) via SD (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Joseph Benavidez (3-0-0)
2013-09-04: W vs. [#11FLY] Jussier da Silva (15-3-0) via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) in 3:07 of round 1
2013-04-20: W vs. [#13FLY] Darren Uyenoyama (8-4-0) via KO (Punch to the Body) in 4:50 of round 2
2013-02-02: W vs. [#6FLY] Ian McCall (12-4-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Demetrious Johnson 140, Joseph Benavidez 101
Previous Match-up Record: Demetrious Johnson leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Bantamweight (135)
[#2] Urijah Faber (29-6-0, 135.0lb, -149) vs. [#5] Michael McDonald (16-2-0, 135.2lb, +123)
Urijah Faber is the All-Time #5 ranked Bantamweight and #10 ranked Absolute fighter.
Michael McDonald is the All-Time #13 ranked Bantamweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Urijah Faber (3-0-0)
2013-08-17: W vs. [#18BW] Iuri Alcantara (28-5-0) via UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
2013-04-13: W vs. [#31BW] Scott Jorgensen (14-7-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:16 of round 4
2013-02-23: W vs. [#71BW] Ivan Menjivar (25-11-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:34 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Michael McDonald (2-1-0)
2013-08-17: W vs. [#26BW] Brad Pickett (23-8-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 3:43 of round 2
2013-02-16: L vs. [#1BW/#6P4P] Renan Barao (31-1-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 3:57 of round 4
2012-04-21: W vs. [#91BW] Miguel Torres (40-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:18 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Urijah Faber 119, Michael McDonald 119
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Featherweight (145)
[#2] Chad Mendes (15-1-0, 145.0lb, -869) vs. [#9] Nik Lentz (24-5-2, 145.0lb, +571)
Chad Mendes is the All-Time #6 ranked Featherweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Chad Mendes (3-0-0)
2013-08-31: W vs. [#10FW] Clay Guida (30-14-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:30 of round 3
2013-04-20: W vs. [#11FW] Darren Elkins (17-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:08 of round 1
2012-12-15: W vs. [#75BW] Yaotzin Meza (20-8-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:55 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Nik Lentz (3-0-0)
2013-05-18: W vs. [#37FW] Hacran Dias (21-2-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2013-01-19: W vs. [#25FW] Diego Nunes (18-5-0) via UD (30-28, 30-27, 30-26)
2012-08-11: W vs. [*] Eiji Mitsuoka (18-9-2) via TKO (Punches) in 3:45 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Chad Mendes 105, Nik Lentz 210
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Given the importance of the future season of The Ultimate Fighter series with regards to the Women’s Strawweight division, the amount of top female fighters that were apart of this past TUF season and the lacking amount of women’s professional fight data in general, we will start giving these bouts some level of consideration in the ratings calculations. These bouts are fully sanctioned by the NSAC and use nearly identical rules to their counterparts, so we feel it is in the best interest of our ratings accuracy to include these bouts. Outside of the ratings and wherever possible, these bouts will continue to be ignored.
An early 12/14 ratings update will usher in the above for all TUF bouts, retroactively considered.
With a special mid-week ranking update, we will be expanding the following divisions:
There will likely be additional expansion within the next month or two.
Our newest addition, Pound-for-Pound MMA rankings, is now available in the Generated Historical Rankings and Published Ranking Snapshots (starting with October 2013 issue).
If you’re historically inclined, you can now look up what the Pound-for-Pound Top 15 would have looked like in early 2005, or see what it actually looked like last month!
Heavyweight (265)
[#4] Antonio Silva (18-5-0, -164) vs. [#9] Mark Hunt (9-8-0, +135)
Antonio Silva is the All-Time #18 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Mark Hunt is the All-Time #21 ranked Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Antonio Silva (2-1-0)
2013-05-25: L vs. [#1HW+/#1DD/#3P4P] Cain Velasquez (13-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:21 of round 1
2013-02-02: W vs. [#8HW+] Alistair Overeem (36-13-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:25 of round 3
2012-10-05: W vs. [#6HW+] Travis Browne (15-1-1) via TKO (Punches) in 3:27 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Mark Hunt (2-1-0)
2013-05-25: L vs. [#2HW+] Junior dos Santos (16-3-0) via KO (Spinning Hook Kick) in 4:18 of round 3
2013-03-03: W vs. [#17HW+] Stefan Struve (25-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:44 of round 3
2012-02-26: W vs. [#20HW+] Cheick Kongo (20-8-2) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Antonio Silva 196, Mark Hunt 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Antonio Silva leads 2-0
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#11] Mauricio Rua (21-8-0, -103) vs. [#19] James Te Huna (16-6-0, -121)
Mauricio Rua is the All-Time #6 ranked Light Heavyweight and #20 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Mauricio Rua (1-2-0)
2013-08-17: L vs. [#7LHW] Chael Sonnen (28-14-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:47 of round 1
2012-12-08: L vs. [#4LHW] Alexander Gustafsson (15-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
2012-08-04: W vs. [#91HW+] Brandon Vera (12-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:09 of round 4
Last 3 Fights: James Te Huna (2-1-0)
2013-05-25: L vs. [#6LHW] Glover Teixeira (22-2-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 2:38 of round 1
2013-02-16: W vs. [#24LHW] Ryan Jimmo (18-3-0) via UD (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-07-11: W vs. [#67LHW] Joey Beltran (14-10-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Mauricio Rua 112, James Te Huna 196
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
.
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#13] Ryan Bader (15-4-0, -303) vs. [#25] Anthony Perosh (14-7-0, +220)
Ryan Bader is the All-Time #23 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ryan Bader (1-2-0)
2013-09-04: L vs. [#6LHW] Glover Teixeira (22-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:55 of round 1
2013-01-26: W vs. [#28LHW] Vladimir Matyushenko (27-7-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 0:50 of round 1
2012-08-04: L vs. [#4MW] Lyoto Machida (20-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Anthony Perosh (2-1-0)
2013-08-03: W vs. [#37LHW] Vinny Magalhaes (10-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:14 of round 1
2012-07-21: L vs. [#24LHW] Ryan Jimmo (18-3-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:07 of round 1
2012-03-03: W vs. [#148LHW] Nick Penner (11-3-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 4:59 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ryan Bader 94, Anthony Perosh 126
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
.
Keep Reading
Also, look for the All-Time MMA Rankings to get updated within the next 24-48 hours.
