UFC Rankings: The Very best of the Greatest
UFC 2016 Rankings: A Full Analysis
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. It features the most talented fighters competing in the particular most prestigious situations. The UFC launches official rankings regarding each weight type, which are applied to determine subject fights and contendership status.
In 2016, this UFC rankings have significant changes, along with many fighters making notable rises and even falls. This content provides a comprehensive analysis of this UFC rankings while of December 31st, 2016.
Heavyweight
- Stipe Miocic (c)
- Alistair Overeem
- Francis Ngannou
- Derrick Lewis
- Andrei Arlovski
Current safe bet Stipe Miocic has reigned supreme since May 2016, effectively defending his belt against Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. The surging Ngannou has burst on the scene with a string involving impressive knockouts, relocating up to range three in this rankings.
Light High quality
- Daniel Cormier (c)
- Anthony Johnson
- Alexander Gustafsson
- Thomas Bader
- Glover Teixeira
Major champion Daniel Cormier continues to rule the light heavyweight division, having properly defended his title against Gustafsson plus Johnson. Gustafsson's return to title contention after an extended hiatus has been recently impressive, while Bader has solidified his status as the top contender together with a series of victories.
Middleweight
- Michael Bisping (c)
- Yoel Romero
- Robert Whittaker
- Gegard Mousasi
- Jacare Souza
Unexpected champion Michael Bisping has held onto his or her title despite dealing with tough challenges. Romero and Whittaker have both been remarkable in recent combats, with Whittaker specially surging up this rankings with 4 consecutive wins.
Welterweight
- Tyron Woodley (c)
- Stephen Thompson
- Demian Maia
- Jorge Masvidal
- Rafael dos Anjos
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has efficiently defended his name twice against Stephen Thompson. Maia and even Masvidal have both earned their method into the leading five with amazing winning streaks.
Lightweight
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Eddie Alvarez (c)
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Tony Ferguson
- Kevin Lee
The lightweight split has been inside flux in 2016, with Conor McGregor winning the belt from Eddie Alvarez in a wonderful name fight. McGregor presently holds the light and featherweight titles simultaneously. Nurmagomedov plus Ferguson stay top rated contenders, with Lee rising in the particular rankings after a new series of amazing performances.
Featherweight
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Jose Aldo
- Frankie Edgar
- Maximum Holloway
- Ricardo Lamas
Featherweight champion Conor McGregor provides dominated the division since winning typically the belt in 2015. Jose Aldo avenged his decline to McGregor in a rematch nevertheless remains to be second in the rankings. Edgar in addition to Holloway have equally been amazing, while Lamas has silently moved into this top five.
Bantamweight
- Dominick Cruz (c)
- Cody Garbrandt
- TJ Dillashaw
- Raphael Assuncao
- Jimmie Rivera
Long-time champion Dominick Cruz returned from a long injury layoff in 2016 plus immediately obtained the particular title. Cody Garbrandt has appeared while a legitimate pelear, while Dillashaw and even Assuncao stay top rated challengers.
Flyweight
- Demetrious Nicholson (c)
- Henry Cejudo
- Wilson Reis
- Kyoji Horiguchi
- Joseph Benavidez
Dominant safe bet Demetrious Johnson features defended his flyweight belt a surprising 11 times. Holly Cejudo has shifted up the rankings with remarkable activities, while Reis, Horiguchi, and Benavidez circle out the top rated five.
Women's Bantamweight
- Amanda Nunes (c)
- Valentina Shevchenko
- Miesha Tate
- Guardia Rousey
- Julianna Peña
Throughout one of the most dominant reigns in UFC history, Amanda Nunes provides won the women's bantamweight title and even defended it a few times in 2016. Valentina Shevchenko has solidified her standing as a best contender, while Tate and Pena have also risen throughout the rankings.
Women's Strawweight
- Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c)
- Claudia Gadelha
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz
- Rose Namajunas
- Jessica Andrade
Joanna Jędrzejczyk has established herself because the undisputed queen of the strawweight division, successfully guarding her belt twice in 2016. Gadelha, Kowalkiewicz, Namajunas, and Andrade have almost all been impressive inside recent fights, generating the strawweight split one of typically the most competitive within the UFC.
Bottom line
The UFC rankings have undergone important changes in 2016, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of combined martial arts. This emergence of fresh contenders, the surge and fall associated with established stars, and even the ongoing dominance of certain winners have made for an exciting plus unpredictable year inside the UFC. Because 2017 approaches, the particular rankings will certainly continue to change, with new difficulties and opportunities anticipating the fighters within each weight school.