Fight Matrix

FightMatrix Program: UFC 149 (07-17-2012)

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Jason

Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#3] Urijah Faber (26-5-0) vs. [#5] Renan Barao (28-1-0)
Urijah Faber is the All-Time #9 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Urijah Faber (2-1-0)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#10BW] Brian Bowles (10-2-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:27 of round 2
2011-07-02: L vs. [#1BW/#9DD] Dominick Cruz (19-1-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
2011-03-19: W vs. [#9BW] Eddie Wineland (19-8-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Last 3 Fights: Renan Barao (3-0-0)
2012-02-04: W vs. [#23BW] Scott Jorgensen (13-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-11-05: W vs. [#38BW] Brad Pickett (21-6-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:09 of round 1
2011-05-28: W vs. [#57BW] Cole Escovedo (17-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Urijah Faber 245, Renan Barao 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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Middleweight (185)
[#6] Hector Lombard (31-2-1) vs. [#9] Tim Boetsch (15-4-0)
Hector Lombard is the All-Time #22 ranked Middleweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Hector Lombard (3-0-0)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#38LHW] Trevor Prangley (25-9-1) via TKO (Punches) in 1:06 of round 2
2011-09-03: W vs. [#86WW] Jesse Taylor (20-9-0) via Submission (Heel Hook) in 1:26 of round 2
2011-05-14: W vs. [#79MW] Falaniko Vitale (30-10-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:54 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Tim Boetsch (3-0-0)
2012-02-26: W vs. [#17MW] Yushin Okami (26-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 3
2011-09-24: W vs. [#40MW] Nick Ring (12-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-05-28: W vs. [#33MW] Kendall Grove (15-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Hector Lombard 245, Tim Boetsch 146
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)
[#18] Cheick Kongo (17-7-2) vs. [#73] Shawn Jordan (13-3-0)

Last 3 Fights: Cheick Kongo (2-1-0)
2012-02-26: L vs. [#12HW+] Mark Hunt (8-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 1
2011-10-29: W vs. [#26HW+] Matt Mitrione (5-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-27, 29-28)
2011-06-26: W vs. [#56HW+] Pat Barry (7-5-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:39 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Shawn Jordan (2-1-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#219HW+] Oli Thompson (9-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:07 of round 2
2011-09-23: W vs. [#35HW+] Lavar Johnson (17-6-0) via Submission (Keylock) in 3:08 of round 2
2011-07-22: L vs. [#47HW+] Devin Cole (20-9-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cheick Kongo 146, Shawn Jordan 140
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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Middleweight Fights I’d Like to See

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Oleg

The middleweight division has been in the spotlight as of late, with both the UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and his Strikeforce counterpart Luke Rockhold making successful title defenses this month, and Chris Weidman emerging as a possible contender to the UFC gold. Another high profile bout is coming up this weekend as Hector Lombard takes on Tim Boetsch at UFC 149, and a bout between [#12] Brian Stann and [#13] Michael Bisping has been slated for UFC 152.

Here are fifteen other middleweight matchups I would like to see in UFC and Strikeforce:

[#2] Chael Sonnen vs [#25] Wanderlei Silva

While Sonnen remains the #2 middleweight, going 0-2 against the champion sends him to the back of the proverbial line when it comes to title contention. Given the animosity which exists between Chael and Wanderlei Silva, this should make for some epic smack talk and an entertaining matchup without title implications.

[#3] Chris Weidman vs the winner of [#6] Hector Lombard / [#9] Tim Boetsch

After an impressive win over Mark Munoz, Weidman is pushing for a shot at the champion. However it is not likely that Anderson will fight again this year, and sitting on the bench waiting for a title shot will do no favors to Weidman’s career. Pit Weidman against Lombard or Boetsch and you have a legitimate #1 contender for Anderson Silva’s next fight.

[#4] Luke Rockhold vs [#20] Lorenz Larkin

It’s dificult to find a true contender on Strikeforce’s anemic roster. Luke Rockhold expressed interest in rematching Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, and Roger Gracie is quickly moving up the rankings. However I believe Souza and Gracie are better off fighting each other next. Rockhold should instead take on Lorenz Larkin, who made an solid divisional debut with a unanimous decision win over Robbie Lawler.

[#5] Vitor Belfort vs [#7] Alan Belcher

Alan Belcher looked like a monster since returning to action from an injury layoff, finishing Jason MacDonald and Rousimar Palhares in the first round. Vitor Belfort also racked up two first-round stoppages over Yoshihiro Akiyama and Anthony Johnson since suffering a knockout courtesy of Anderson Silva. Guaranteed fireworks, and a win will move one of these middlweights into the title picture.

[#8] Rich Franklin vs [#46] Cung Le

Former champion Rich Franklin was as scrappy and resilient as ever in his return to the middleweight division, and spoke of making one last run at the title. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) for ‘Ace’, a third matchup with Anderson Silva remains an impossibly tough sell even 5 years after they last met in the Octagon. For now Franklin is relegated to big-name, low-significance ‘superfights’. He was slated to meet Cung Le in his most recent fight before injuries forced card changes. With both guys coming off hard-fought victories, this remains an intriguing matchup.

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Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)

Friday, October 16th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Chicago 2: Carmouche vs. Bishop 2

[#6 W125] Liz Carmouche

[#14 W125] Jena Bishop

Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#15 W125] Viviane Araujo
Last 5: L W W W W

Last Fight Date: 6/27/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#37 W125] Ariane Lipski da Silva
Last 5: W W L W W

Thursday, December 31st 2026: Rizin FF New Years Eve Event

[#5 FW] Rajabali Shaidullaev

[#16 FW] Kyoma Akimoto

Last Fight Date: 9/10/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#7 FW] A.J. McKee
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 8/11/2026 [Rizin Fighting Federation]
Last Opponent: [#25 FW] Kleber Koike Erbst
Last 5: W W W W W

Saturday, November 14th 2026: Professional Fighters League PFL Returns to Dubai: Nemkov vs. Bilostenniy

[#6 HW] Vadim Nemkov

[#16 HW] Sergey Bilostenniy

Last Fight Date: 12/13/2025 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira
Last 5: W W W W W

Last Fight Date: 5/02/2026 [PFL]
Last Opponent: [#20 HW] Renan Ferreira
Last 5: W W L W W

Featured Fighters

[#49 LW]	Mikuru Asakura	[#5 FW]	Rajabali Shaidullaev
[#1 WW]	Islam Makhachev	[#1 FW]	Alexander Volkanovski
[#29 FW]	Ren Hiramoto	[#33 LW]	Akbar Abdullaev
[#96 FW]	Tommy McMillen	[#1 FLW]	Joshua Van
[#4 LW]	Arman Tsarukyan	[#4 FW]	Movsar Evloev

Anderson Silva vs. ???

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Jason

[poll id=”9″]

MMA Rankings Updated: 07/15/2012

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Jason

Ranking Debate: Michael Bisping (FOLLOW-UP)

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Jason

So, we ran the polls for a few days and the results are as follows. By the way, in case you missed the original post, it is here.

The majority think that Michael Bisping’s FightMatrix ranking is a little harsh, but that it is more accurate than the #4 that Sherdog gives him. Although I didn’t give voters an option to say we overrated Bisping, 34% agreed with a ranking outside of the Top 10, and another 54% agreed that though our ranking was a bit too harsh, Sherdog’s was too kind. Only 12% thought that Sherdog was close or dead on. Given the results, I think the overall “happy medium” may be the #10 position.
At a ratio of 3:1, voters think Hector Lombard should be higher-ranked than Bisping. Furthermore, almost 90% believe that Bisping’s ranking would suffer, were it not for the visibility of the UFC. I think this speaks to the intelligence of our readers — well done.

I hope to make this type of blog post a more frequent occurrence on our site. Although we strive for accuracy and consistency, our rankings will never completely agree with the overall consensus, and that’s fine — it is expected. In all mathematical systems there are outliers and this isn’t always necessarily a bad thing. The system can’t see bad decisions and fluke occurrences, but it also cannot see the imaginary things — like hype.

Objectively, using only real outcomes, Bisping is barely a Top 15 fighter. Though, in a purely subjective system, giving him additional credit for his close UD loss to Sonnen and boosting him up a few spots is something I’m not necessarily opposed to. I am opposed to ranking him in the Top 5 though, in any type of system.

FightMatrix Program: Strikeforce (07-14-2012)

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jason

Middleweight (185)
[#5] Luke Rockhold (9-1-0) vs. [#12] Tim Kennedy (14-3-0)

Last 3 Fights: Luke Rockhold (3-0-0)
2012-01-07: W vs. [#29MW] Keith Jardine (17-11-2) via TKO (Punches) in 4:26 of round 1
2011-09-10: W vs. [#15MW] Ronaldo Souza (15-3-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2010-02-26: W vs. [#79WW] Paul Bradley (20-4-0) via TKO (Knees to the Body) in 2:24 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Tim Kennedy (2-1-0)
2011-07-30: W vs. [#17MW] Robbie Lawler (19-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-03-05: W vs. [#109LHW] Melvin Manhoef (24-9-1) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:41 of round 1
2010-08-21: L vs. [#15MW] Ronaldo Souza (15-3-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Luke Rockhold 189, Tim Kennedy 350
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Luke Rockhold leads 1-0
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Welterweight (170)
[*] Nate Marquardt (31-10-2) vs. [#17] Tyron Woodley (10-0-0)
Nate Marquardt is the All-Time #15 ranked Absolute fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Nate Marquardt (2-1-0)
2011-03-19: W vs. [#42WW] Dan Miller (14-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2010-11-13: L vs. [#16MW] Yushin Okami (26-7-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2010-09-15: W vs. [#21MW] Rousimar Palhares (14-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:28 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Tyron Woodley (3-0-0)
2012-01-07: W vs. [#20WW] Jordan Mein (24-8-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
2011-07-30: W vs. [#25WW] Paul Daley (29-12-2) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-01-07: W vs. [#34WW] Tarec Saffiedine (12-3-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Nate Marquardt 483, Tyron Woodley 189
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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Middleweight (185)
[#17] Robbie Lawler (19-8-0) vs. [#55LHW] Lorenz Larkin (12-0-0)
Robbie Lawler is the All-Time #16 ranked Middleweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Robbie Lawler (1-2-0)
2012-01-07: W vs. [#48MW] Adlan Amagov (9-2-1) via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches) in 1:48 of round 1
2011-07-30: L vs. [#12MW] Tim Kennedy (14-3-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-01-29: L vs. [#15MW] Ronaldo Souza (15-3-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:00 of round 3

Last 3 Fights: Lorenz Larkin (2-0-0, 1 NC)
2012-01-07: NC vs. [#11LHW] Muhammed Lawal (8-1-0) via NC (Overturned by NSAC) in 1:32 of round 2
2011-09-23: W vs. [#100LHW] Nick Rossborough (20-15-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
2011-06-24: W vs. [#65LHW] Gian Villante (10-3-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Robbie Lawler 189, Lorenz Larkin 189
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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Ranking Debate: Michael Bisping (with Polls)

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Jason

When taking a look at all of the major ranking sites, there is one fighter ranked very highly by the others, whom we are pretty harsh on — and that is Michael Bisping.

On Sherdog’s most recent ranking, he is ranked #4 in the Middleweight division. They are not alone, as the USA Today meta-rankings (of which we are a part of) have him just one notch lower, at #5. On FightMatrix, he is currently at #14.

Now, I’m not just defending the system here — I truly believe that these sites are overrating Michael Bisping. Let’s take a look at his performances from the past 3.5 years and the current ranking of those opponents.

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FightMatrix Program: UFC on FuelTV 4 (07-09-2012)

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Jason

Middleweight (185)
[#4] Mark Munoz (12-2-0) vs. [#7] Chris Weidman (8-0-0)
Mark Munoz is the All-Time #25 ranked Middleweight fighter.

Last 3 Fights: Mark Munoz (3-0-0)
2011-11-05: W vs. [#19MW] Chris Leben (22-8-0) via TKO (Corner Stoppage) in 5:00 of round 2
2011-06-11: W vs. [#9WW] Demian Maia (16-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2011-03-03: W vs. [#47MW] CB Dollaway (12-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Chris Weidman (3-0-0)
2012-01-28: W vs. [#9WW] Demian Maia (16-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#46MW] Tom Lawlor (8-4-0) via Technical Submission (Brabo Choke) in 2:07 of round 1
2011-06-11: W vs. [#101MW] Jesse Bongfeldt (16-5-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:54 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Mark Munoz 249, Chris Weidman 165
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)
[#34MW] Aaron Simpson (11-3-0) vs. [#76MW] Kenny Robertson (11-1-0)

Last 3 Fights: Aaron Simpson (2-1-0)
2012-02-15: L vs. [#27MW] Ronny Markes (13-1-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
2011-10-08: W vs. [#174MW] Eric Schafer (12-7-2) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-07-02: W vs. [#126MW] Brad Tavares (8-1-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Last 3 Fights: Kenny Robertson (2-1-0)
2011-10-01: W vs. [#96MW] Lucio Linhares (17-7-0) via KO (Spinning Back Fist) in 4:44 of round 1
2011-02-05: L vs. [#21WW] Mike Pierce (14-5-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:29 of round 2
2010-08-19: W vs. [#354MW] John Kolosci (15-9-0) via Submission (Keylock) in 2:41 of round 2

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Aaron Simpson 147, Kenny Robertson 284
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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Middleweight (185)
[#32] Francis Carmont (18-7-0) vs. [#98] Karlos Vemola (9-2-0)

Last 3 Fights: Francis Carmont (3-0-0)
2012-04-14: W vs. [#154MW] Magnus Cedenblad (10-4-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:42 of round 2
2011-10-29: W vs. [#92MW] Chris Camozzi (17-5-0) via UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-06-17: W vs. [#195LHW] Jason Day (19-12-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:10 of round 1

Last 3 Fights: Karlos Vemola (2-1-0)
2012-05-05: W vs. [#146MW] Mike Massenzio (13-7-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:07 of round 2
2011-08-14: L vs. [#27MW] Ronny Markes (13-1-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2010-11-13: W vs. [#45HW+] Seth Petruzelli (15-7-0) via TKO (Punches and Elbows) in 3:46 of round 1

Days Since Last Pro Fight: Francis Carmont 88, Karlos Vemola 67
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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MMA Rankings Updated: 07/08/2012

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Jason

UFC 148: Main Event Factoid

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Jason

Only 69 times in MMA history has a professional fight went 5 rounds (or more) and the fight was finished before going to a decision.

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen will only be the second time in history in which a rematch occured afterward. The first, being a rematch between Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki, where in the first match-up, Santiago won by submission in the 5th round — sound familiar? Amazingly, Santiago won the rematch in the 5th round also, but that time by TKO.