UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson (03-23-2014)
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#9] Dan Henderson (29-11-0, +186) vs. [#10] Mauricio Rua (22-8-0, -221)
Dan Henderson is the All-Time #8 ranked Light Heavyweight and #9 ranked Absolute fighter.
Mauricio Rua is the All-Time #6 ranked Light Heavyweight and #23 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Dan Henderson (0-3-0)
2013-11-09: L vs. [#3MW/#9DD] Vitor Belfort (24-10-0) via KO (Head Kick) in 1:17 of round 1
2013-06-15: L vs. [#2LHW] Rashad Evans (21-3-1) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2013-02-23: L vs. [#2MW/#8DD/#8P4P] Lyoto Machida (21-4-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Mauricio Rua (1-2-0)
2013-12-07: W vs. [#21LHW] James Te Huna (16-7-0) via KO (Punch) in 1:03 of round 1
2013-08-17: L vs. [#8LHW] Chael Sonnen (28-14-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:47 of round 1
2012-12-08: L vs. [#4LHW] Alexander Gustafsson (16-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dan Henderson 134, Mauricio Rua 106
Previous Match-up Record: Dan Henderson leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Mauricio Rua leads 8-6
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Middleweight (185)
[#49] C.B. Dollaway (13-5-0) vs. [#62] Cezar Ferreira (7-2-0)
Last 3 Fights: C.B. Dollaway (2-1-0)
2013-10-19: L vs. [#15MW] Tim Boetsch (17-6-0) via SD (30-26, 27-29, 30-26)
2013-01-19: W vs. [#90MW] Daniel Sarafian (8-4-0) via SD (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-05-26: W vs. [*] Jason Miller (23-9-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-26)
Last 3 Fights: Cezar Ferreira (3-0-0)
2013-11-09: W vs. [#90MW] Daniel Sarafian (8-4-0) via SD (28-29, 30-28, 30-27)
2013-08-03: W vs. [#235MW] Thiago Santos (8-2-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 0:47 of round 1
2012-06-23: W vs. [#81WW] Sergio Moraes (8-2-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: C.B. Dollaway 155, Cezar Ferreira 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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Lightweight (155)
[#80WW] Leonardo Santos (12-3-0) vs. [#72] Norman Parke (19-2-0)
Last 3 Fights: Leonardo Santos (3-0-0)
2013-06-08: W vs. [#111WW] William Macario (7-1-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 4:43 of round 2
2012-09-01: W vs. [#221LW] Mark Holst (12-5-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 1:15 of round 1
2012-03-10: W vs. [#1165FW] Gilmar Silva Milhorance (2-10-0) via Technical Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 1:47 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Norman Parke (3-0-0)
2013-10-26: W vs. [#289LW] Jon Tuck (7-1-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2013-07-06: W vs. [#147LW] Kazuki Tokudome (12-5-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-12-15: W vs. [#187LW] Colin Fletcher (9-4-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Leonardo Santos 288, Norman Parke 148
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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Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Saturday, July 18th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Austin: Van Steenis vs. Eblen 2 | |||
 [#6 MW] Costello Van Steenis |  [#12 MW] Johnny Eblen | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 3/20/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#16 MW] Fabian Edwards Last 5: L W W W W | Last Fight Date: 3/28/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#52 MW] Bryan Battle Last 5: W W W L W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev | |||
| [#7 W125] Liz Carmouche |  [#13 W125] Viviane Araujo | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 8/15/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#16 W125] Jena Bishop Last 5: W L W W W | Last Fight Date: 4/11/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#61 W125] Shanna Young Last 5: W L W L W | ||
| Saturday, June 27th 2026: 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: [#27 FW] Adam Borics Last 5: W W L W W | Last Fight Date: 2/07/2026 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#23 FW] Jesus Pinedo Last 5: W W W W W | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#4 LW] | Justin Gaethje | [#1 WW] |  Islam Makhachev | |
| [#1 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | [#1 LHW] | Alex Pereira | |
| [#2 BW] | Merab Dvalishvili | [#44 LHW] |  Iwo Baraniewski | |
| [#174 WW] |  Marko Bojkovic | [NR] |  Conor McGregor | |
| [#36 LW] |  Tom Nolan | [#44 LW] |  Fares Ziam |
Current MMA Rankings Updated (03-16-2014)
Notable Info
- [#31] Konstantin Gluhov, one of the most inconsistent fringe contenders you’ve never heard of, pops back into the Top 50 at Heavyweight for what seems to be the billionth time, with a win over respectable journeyman [#55] Kenny Garner.
- Speaking of Heavyweight journeymen, [#64] James Thompson returned with a win over now barely ranked, [#232] Colin Robinson. Amazingly, Thompson is 4-0 with a no contest, in his last 5. Though 3 of those wins are against former pro wrestlers and musclebound freak-shows. I don’t know enough about Robinson to categorize him as such.
- A three-headed dragon has emerged at Welterweight for the top contender spot, between [#2] Rory MacDonald, [#3] Hector Lombard, and [#4] Tyron Woodley. My gut tells me we’ll see MacDonald get the shot at one of the Canadian shows in September or October. Lombard/Woodley makes a good “next contender” match, but leaves [#5] Robbie Lawler as the odd man out.
- Page 3 of the Featherweight rankings yield a “WTF” moment, as one will notice we got a late result for [#147] Alexandre Franca Nogueira who jumped 74 spots. Yes, the same Nogueira that was basically the top Featherweight between 2000 and 2005.
- It appears the wheels have finally come off of the leftovers from the golden era of the Shooto 56kg division, as [#62] Yasuhiro Urushitani and [#65] Shinchi Kojima both were beaten in their respective bouts this past weekend. Ratings-wise they were both in nearly 50/50 fights and in all fairness, Kojima’s opponent badly missed weight, but they join [#68] Mamoru Yamaguchi in the same segment of the Flyweight rankings.
Hendricks has a long way to catch GSP: All-Time Ranking History
A follow-up to a previous post on the Welterweight All-Time Picture.
Zoom in on the Fitch ceiling and below.
First, some general info:
- Everyone’s overall trend is upward in the chart due to increased quality of data, amongst other things. Essentially, the “value” of a point decreased.
- Some of the “noise” caused by test runs were cleaned up from the previous post.
- Current Welterweight All-Time rank is listed next to the fighter names.
- All fighters listed have been in the Top 10 at Welterweight since we started storing the career rankings.
- Only Top 10 point totals are displayed for the listed fighters.
- Fighters with dotted data lines are no longer in the Top 10.
- I’ve often commented to readers that effects on the list are not entirely immediate. There is usually some immediate effect to results, but as you can see in the graph, the term “rolling average” is probably a much more accurate way to explain the movement. The methodology was created in such a way for many reasons.
- Kiuma Kunioku saw his all-time point eligibility change from Welterweight to Middleweight for his early Pancrase accomplishments. This was due to some minor division re-adjustment and how we considered those pioneer day results. The other “dotted line” fighters were simply surpassed.
Fight Matrix Program: UFC 171 (03-15-2014)
Welterweight Championship (170)
[#1] Johny Hendricks (15-2-0, -401) vs. [#4] Robbie Lawler (22-9-0, +312)
Johny Hendricks is the All-Time #6 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Robbie Lawler is the All-Time #20 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Johny Hendricks (2-1-0)
2013-11-16: L vs. [*] Georges St. Pierre (25-2-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
2013-03-16: W vs. [#3WW] Carlos Condit (29-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-11-17: W vs. [#14WW] Martin Kampmann (20-7-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:46 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Robbie Lawler (3-0-0)
2013-11-16: W vs. [#2WW] Rory MacDonald (16-2-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2013-07-27: W vs. [#191WW] Bobby Voelker (24-11-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punch) in 0:24 of round 2
2013-02-23: W vs. [#29WW] Josh Koscheck (17-8-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:57 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Johny Hendricks 119, Robbie Lawler 119
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)
[#3] Carlos Condit (29-7-0, -176) vs. [#12] Tyron Woodley (12-2-0, +148)
Carlos Condit is the All-Time #5 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Carlos Condit (1-2-0)
2013-08-28: W vs. [#14WW] Martin Kampmann (20-7-0) via TKO (Punches and Knees) in 0:54 of round 4
2013-03-16: L vs. [#1WW] Johny Hendricks (15-2-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-11-17: L vs. [*] Georges St. Pierre (25-2-0) via UD (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Last 3 Fights: Tyron Woodley (2-1-0)
2013-11-16: W vs. [#29WW] Josh Koscheck (17-8-0) via KO (Punches) in 4:38 of round 1
2013-06-15: L vs. [#5WW] Jake Shields (29-6-1) via SD (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
2013-02-02: W vs. [*] Jay Hieron (23-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:36 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Carlos Condit 199, Tyron Woodley 119
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)
[#5] Jake Shields (29-6-1, +158) vs. [#8] Hector Lombard (33-4-1, -192)
Jake Shields is the All-Time #4 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Jake Shields (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2013-10-09: W vs. [#11WW] Demian Maia (18-6-0) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 47-48)
2013-06-15: W vs. [#12WW] Tyron Woodley (12-2-0) via SD (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
2012-08-11: NC vs. [#43MW] Ed Herman (21-10-0)
Last 3 Fights: Hector Lombard (2-1-0)
2013-10-19: W vs. [#24WW] Nate Marquardt (32-13-2) via KO (Punches) in 1:48 of round 1
2013-03-03: L vs. [#10MW] Yushin Okami (29-8-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2012-12-15: W vs. [#15WW] Rousimar Palhares (15-5-0) via KO (Punches) in 3:38 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jake Shields 157, Hector Lombard 147
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Jake Shields leads 1-0
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Melvin Guillard – Consistently or Inconsistently Good?
With another loss, I couldn’t help but think that Melvin Guillard is one of the most inconsistent long-time fringe contenders that I can recall. Does this mean he’s inconsistently good or consistently good? After all, he keeps on keeping on, continually reaching a status of top-level journeyman after losing.
Using the Generated Historical Rankings as analytical fuel, it turns out that Melvin Guillard is 1 of only 10 fighters to have at least 25 quarterly rankings in the Lightweight division, with none of them in the Top 5 or below the Top 150 and an average ranking equal or better than #50.
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night (03-08-2014)
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#4] Alexander Gustafsson (15-2-0, -412) vs. [#16] Jimi Manuwa (14-0-0, +323)
Alexander Gustafsson is the All-Time #19 ranked Light Heavyweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Alexander Gustafsson (2-1-0)
2013-09-21: L vs. [#1LHW/#4DD/#1P4P] Jon Jones (19-1-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
2012-12-08: W vs. [#10LHW] Mauricio Rua (22-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
2012-04-14: W vs. [#15LHW] Thiago Silva (16-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Jimi Manuwa (3-0-0)
2013-10-26: W vs. [#24LHW] Ryan Jimmo (18-3-0) via TKO (Leg Injury) in 4:41 of round 2
2013-02-16: W vs. [#45LHW] Cyrille Diabate (19-9-1) via TKO (Retirement) in 5:00 of round 1
2012-09-29: W vs. [*] Kyle Kingsbury (11-5-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Alexander Gustafsson 168, Jimi Manuwa 133
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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Lightweight (155)
[#15] Michael Johnson (14-8-0) vs. [#22] Melvin Guillard (31-12-2)
Last 3 Fights: Michael Johnson (2-1-0)
2013-12-28: W vs. [#36LW] Gleison Tibau (28-10-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:32 of round 2
2013-08-17: W vs. [#26LW] Joe Lauzon (23-9-0) via UD (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
2013-04-06: L vs. [#40LW] Reza Madadi (13-3-0) via Submission (Brabo Choke) in 1:33 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Melvin Guillard (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2013-10-26: NC vs. [#31LW] Ross Pearson (15-6-0)
2013-07-27: W vs. [#95LW] Mac Danzig (21-12-1) via KO (Punches) in 2:47 of round 2
2012-12-29: L vs. [#57LW] Jamie Varner (21-9-1) via SD (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Michael Johnson 70, Melvin Guillard 133
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Michael Johnson leads 3-2
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Flyweight (125)
[#28BW] Brad Pickett (23-8-0) vs. [#29] Neil Seery (13-9-0)
Last 3 Fights: Brad Pickett (1-2-0)
2013-08-17: L vs. [#12BW] Michael McDonald (16-3-0) via Submission (Triangle Choke) in 3:43 of round 2
2013-04-06: W vs. [#45BW] Mike Easton (13-4-0) via SD (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
2012-12-29: L vs. [#6BW] Eddie Wineland (21-9-1) via SD (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: Neil Seery (3-0-0)
2013-06-01: W vs. [#111FLY] Mikael Silander (9-3-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 3:57 of round 3
2013-04-13: W vs. [#72FLY] Paul Marin (7-3-0) via KO (Kick to the Body) in 1:22 of round 1
2012-10-27: W vs. [*] Karl Harrison (4-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Brad Pickett 203, Neil Seery 280
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 First “Great” Polish Heavyweight?
On March 14, [#14] Damian Grabowski (19-1-0) will take on [#25] Marcin Tybura (9-0-0) in a battle of the top two Polish Heavyweights in professional MMA.
The winner of this match will end up fairly close to the World Top 10 and will be well on their way to becoming the best Heavyweight in history from Poland. As strange as it seems, the winner probably becomes the best Heavyweight ever from Eastern Europe (sans Russia) behind Filipovic, Arlovski and Vovchanchyn. Grabowski currently holds the lead over Tybura with a longer ledger, though he did start one division below — which means if he does make the big time, perhaps he will go back to 205.
Fight Matrix Program: UFC Fight Night 37 (03-01-2014)
Welterweight (170)
[#11] Dong Hyun Kim (18-2-1, 171.0lb, -367) vs. [*] John Hathaway (17-1-0, 171.0lb, +291)
Last 3 Fights: Dong Hyun Kim (3-0-0)
2013-10-09: W vs. [#27WW] Erick Silva (16-4-0) via KO (Punch) in 3:01 of round 2
2013-03-03: W vs. [#42WW] Siyar Bahadurzada (21-6-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2012-11-10: W vs. [#72WW] Paulo Thiago (15-6-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Last 3 Fights: John Hathaway (3-0-0)
2012-09-29: W vs. [#115WW] John Maguire (19-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2012-05-05: W vs. [#236WW] Pascal Krauss (11-2-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-03-26: W vs. [#119MW] Kris McCray (8-5-0) via SD (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Dong Hyun Kim 143, John Hathaway 518
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)
[#373MW] Wang Sai (6-4-1, 170.0lb, -280) vs. [#955] Lipeng Zhang (6-7-1, 170.0lb, +229)
Last 3 Fights: Wang Sai (2-1-0)
2012-11-17: W vs. [#841LW] Glen Ranillo (3-2-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:00 of round 1
2012-09-15: L vs. [#233WW] Brett Oteri (12-5-0) via DQ (Knee to Grounded Opponent) in 4:48 of round 2
2012-02-11: W vs. [#479MW] Gareth Ealey (7-4-0) via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Lipeng Zhang (1-2-0)
2013-05-11: L vs. [#634LW] Chris Garcia (5-1-0) via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 0:34 of round 1
2012-12-01: L vs. [#395MW] Marcos Souza (3-0-0) via UD ()
2012-12-01: W vs. [NA] Jae Sung Oh (0-1-0) via in 0:00 of round 0
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Wang Sai 469, Lipeng Zhang 294
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)
[#27] Shawn Jordan (15-5-0, 261.0lb, -121) vs. [#39] Matt Mitrione (6-3-0, 260.0lb, -102)
Last 3 Fights: Shawn Jordan (2-1-0)
2013-10-19: L vs. [#17HW+] Gabriel Gonzaga (16-8-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:33 of round 1
2013-06-15: W vs. [*] Pat Barry (8-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:59 of round 1
2013-01-26: W vs. [#54HW+] Mike Russow (15-3-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 3:48 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Matt Mitrione (1-2-0)
2013-09-21: L vs. [#15HW+] Brendan Schaub (10-3-0) via Technical Submission (Brabo Choke) in 4:06 of round 1
2013-04-06: W vs. [#42HW+] Philip De Fries (10-3-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:19 of round 1
2012-12-15: L vs. [#12HW+] Roy Nelson (19-9-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:58 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Shawn Jordan 133, Matt Mitrione 161
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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FightMatrix Program: UFC 170 (02-18-2014)
Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#1DD/#1P4P] Ronda Rousey (8-0-0, -436) vs. [#4/#9P4P] Sara McMann (7-0-0, +337)
Ronda Rousey is the All-Time #8 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ronda Rousey (3-0-0)
2013-12-28: W vs. [#9BW] Miesha Tate (13-5-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 0:58 of round 3
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. [#5BW] Sarah Kaufman (16-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 0:54 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Sara McMann (3-0-0)
2013-04-27: W vs. [#29BW] Sheila Gaff (10-6-1) via TKO (Punches) in 4:06 of round 1
2012-07-28: W vs. [#15BW] Shayna Baszler (15-8-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2012-01-21: W vs. [NA] Hitomi Akano (18-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronda Rousey 56, Sara McMann 301
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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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#3HW+] Daniel Cormier (13-0-0, -1247) vs. [#267] Patrick Cummins (4-0-0, +783)
Last 3 Fights: Daniel Cormier (3-0-0)
2013-10-19: W vs. [#13HW+] Roy Nelson (19-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2013-04-20: W vs. [#11HW+] Frank Mir (16-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2013-01-12: W vs. [#74HW+] Dion Staring (29-10-0) via TKO (Punches) in 4:02 of round 2
Last 3 Fights: Patrick Cummins (3-0-0)
2013-05-18: W vs. [NA] Willie Smalls (5-15-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 3:19 of round 1
2013-03-16: W vs. [NA] Ricky Pulu (0-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:07 of round 1
2012-01-21: W vs. [*] Tasi Edwards (2-1-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 4:01 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Daniel Cormier 126, Patrick Cummins 280
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)
[#4] Rory MacDonald (15-2-0, -293) vs. [#6] Demian Maia (18-5-0, +234)
Rory MacDonald is the All-Time #18 ranked Welterweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Rory MacDonald (2-1-0)
2013-11-16: L vs. [#3WW] Robbie Lawler (22-9-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2013-07-27: W vs. [#7WW] Jake Ellenberger (29-7-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2012-12-08: W vs. [#57WW] B.J. Penn (16-9-2) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Last 3 Fights: Demian Maia (2-1-0)
2013-10-09: L vs. [#5WW] Jake Shields (29-6-1) via SD (47-48, 48-47, 47-48)
2013-02-02: W vs. [#23WW] Jon Fitch (25-6-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2012-10-13: W vs. [#19WW] Rick Story (16-7-0) via Submission (Neck Crank) in 2:30 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Rory MacDonald 98, Demian Maia 136
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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UFC Fight Night 36 Recap
What happened in UFC Fight Night 36? Did it meet our expectations and what are the consequences for the future?
I will discuss only the four fights here which I was looking forward to.
Charles Oliveira vs. Andy Ogle
Charles Oiveira was considered an exciting prospect in the featherweight division after dropping from lightweight, showing high level submission skills and decent striking to complement it. So much so that he even got a fight against Frankie Edgar despite a loss to Cub Swanson in his previous fight. But after two straight losses he was sent to the back of the division to show he is still worthy of being considered a potential prospect, taking a match against Andy Ogle – a relative unknown who has lost 2 of his 3 UFC fights, and was ranked at the lowly #125 FW accordingly.
To show he should still be considered as good as his reputation, Oliveira should have demolished Ogle. Quite frankly anything else would have been a disappointment. And something else happened: Oliveira did look better than Ogle, but he wasn’t able to control him for extended periods of time or hurt him. It looked like it was going to end in a not-too-impressive decision win for Oliveira when he was able to secure the triangle choke in the third round.
This was not an impressive enough performance out of Oliveira against such a mediocre fighter to prove he belongs in the top of the division yet, and the rankings reflect that, elevating him only 6 spots from FW #38 to #32.
Erick Silva vs. Takenori Sato
Like Charles Oliveira, Erick Silva too was considered an exciting prospect, being a very fast, very explosive, and flashy all-around fighter whose wins came in spectacular fashion and very quickly – until he came across the more solid wrestlers of the division, namely, Jon Fitch and Dong Hyun Kim. Like Oliveira he was sent back in the division to face the simpler challenge of Takenori Sato, who was undefeated in his last 10 fights.
In this short fight Silva made quick work of Sato, leaving no doubt who is the better fighter. Unfortunately, Sato didn’t show he is a worthy opponent. The first kick Silva threw hurt him and he went for a desperate single leg when Silva drew closer, and lost through hammer-fist strikes to his head while he was holding that single, which might be the first knock out of its kind. This performance was less indicative of Silva’s prowess than of Sato’s lack thereof. If we can learn anything about Silva from this fight is that in spite of Sato’s incompetence he was still able to take Silva down, if only for a second, through that sloppy single he was holding for dear life. Therefore this fight also doesn’t put Silva back in any interesting position. This is evident in the rankings as well, awarding Silva just 3 more spots and placing him at #27 WW.
Current MMA Rankings Updated (02-16-2014)
Notable Info
Japanese prospect Mizuki Inoue was “officially” awarded a DQ LOSS for submitting her opponent, Emi Tomimatsu in the 3rd round of their fight in today’s JEWELS event. Yes, you read that correctly. The reasoning was that since Inoue missed weight (by a pound or so), if she won the fight, it would instead be turned into a disqualification win for Tomimatsu. Talk about backwards logic.
For the record, we will not be honoring the “official” outcome and will instead honor the actual outcome. To the best of my knowledge, we’ve only went against the official outcome one time prior and that was for Royce Gracie’s forfeit “loss” to Harold Howard, as the fight never even started. Sherdog acknowledged that as a loss for Royce for many years, until they finally struck that one from their records.
For the accuracy of the ratings/rankings, we forever observe the actual outcome as it happened, unless the official outcome is negated due to a violation of some kind (drug policy) or overturned due to a scoring error. Thankfully, the actual outcome matches the official outcome, 99.99% of the time.