Movers & Shakers summarizes changes to the MMA Ratings Top 15 Weekly Men’s Divisional Rankings across the various weight classes, based on the previous week’s fights. As fighter rankings move, and divisions are shaken up, it attempts to explain the rationale behind the shifts, based on our Rankings methodology. It also highlights the fights and fighters to watch for the current week.
Despite exciting fights in the bantamweight division at UFC Fight Night 26, there was no movement, as Michael McDonald‘s highly-entertaining destruction of #7 Brad Pickett wasn’t enough to supplant Urijah Faber at the #2 spot, because Faber handled his business against #10 Iuri Alcantara, despite an early scare. Based on these outcomes, it would appear that the gap between the elite of the elite at bantamweight and the rest of the Top 10 is wider than previously believed. Any of the Top 3 would provide a formidable challenge to the champion in repose, Dominick Cruz.
Joe Lauzon‘s loss on Saturday night opened up a huge hole at the bottom of the Top 15, allowing for the undefeated fighters Khabib Nurmagomedov and Myles Jury, as well as the man who defeated Lauzon, Michael Johnson, to settle into the 13-15 spots. However, this division is so deep that it’s really hard to hold on to those spots, as Lauzon, Jamie Varner, and Melvin Guillard can attest to. And with a few big matchups in the coming weeks, the top spots could be in for a shakeup as well.
Matt Brown didn’t just smash Mike Pyle on Fox Sports 1; he obliterated the glass ceiling separating him and the division’s upper echelon, landing in the #13 spot, below Dong Hyun Kim, the mercurial Nick Diaz, and Erick Silva. Depending on what happens in the Kim-Silva matchup (and whether Diaz fights at all), Brown’s choice of next opponent could put him in position for a Top 5 divisional placement, an unthinkable prospect a year ago.
Speaking of unthinkable, Chael Sonnen actually solidified pound-for-pound bona fides by capturing a Top 10 win at light heavyweight, his first UFC win at 205 since 2005. His next move is uncertain, as he could return to the middleweight title “mix” he departed from over a year ago to face Vitor Belfort, or remain at 205 and face Wanderlei Silva. For Mauricio Rua, big matchups like rematches against Lyoto Machida or Dan Henderson could keep him from freefalling in the rankings, especially with so few prospects on the rise. However, Shogun is now more of a “name” than a title contender at this point.
Travis Browne is now at Top 5 heavyweight, punting Alistair Overeem out of the UFC’s title picture. Even though he only falls one spot, The Reem’s stock has plummeted, and if he is cut from the UFC, he won’t get the relevant fights to hold on to a Top 10 ranking, and will soon fade from relevance. However, as shallow as heavyweight is, a fighter is only a knockout or two away from a resurgence, Mark Hunt being the most recent example. In the case of Browne, his performance was far from dominant, but the likely departure of Daniel Cormier from the division could open up an even wider berth to a title shot, especially after “Bigfoot” Silva, the man who defeated him, has already received his. Browne vs. Fabricio Werdum would be the most logical next matchup, but the UFC will likely go in a different direction, i.e., the winner of Frank Mir vs. Josh Barnett, due to take place at UFC 164.
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UFC Fight Night 26: Shogun vs. Sonnen took place on August 17, 2013 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Click HERE for the full rankings, and check back next week to find out how the rankings move, and the divisions shake out.
