UFC Rankings: The Best of the Greatest
UFC 2016 Rankings: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Supreme Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) firm. It features this most talented mma fighters competing in the most prestigious events. The UFC releases official rankings regarding each weight class, which are applied to determine headline fights and contendership status.
In 2016, this UFC rankings went through significant changes, using many fighters making notable rises plus falls. This post provides a thorough analysis of the particular UFC rankings while of December thirty-one, 2016.
Heavyweight
- Stipe Miocic (c)
- Alistair Overeem
- Francis Ngannou
- Derrick Lewis
- Andrei Arlovski
Current champion Stipe Miocic has got reigned supreme given that May 2016, efficiently defending his belt against Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. The surging Ngannou has burst on the scene using a string involving impressive knockouts, moving up to quantity three in this rankings.
Light High quality
- Daniel Cormier (c)
- Anthony Johnson
- Alexander Gustafsson
- Jones Bader
- Glover Teixeira
Dominating champion Daniel Cormier continues to principle the light top quality division, having properly defended his name against Gustafsson and Johnson. Gustafsson's return to title a contentious after an extended hiatus has been impressive, while Reluquer has solidified their status as a new top contender together with a series of victories.
Middleweight
- Michael Bisping (c)
- Yoel Romero
- Robert Whittaker
- Gegard Mousasi
- Jacare Souza
Unexpected champion Michael Bisping provides held onto their title despite dealing with tough challenges. Romero and Whittaker experience both been outstanding in recent fights, with Whittaker specifically surging up the particular rankings with several consecutive wins.
Welterweight
- Tyron Woodley (c)
- Stephen Thompson
- Demian Maia
- Jorge Masvidal
- Rafael dos Anjos
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has efficiently defended his headline twice against Stephen Thompson. Maia in addition to Masvidal have equally earned their way into the top five with outstanding winning streaks.
Light
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Eddie Alvarez (c)
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Tony Ferguson
- Kevin Lee
The lightweight department has been throughout flux in 2016, with Conor McGregor winning the seatbelt from Eddie Alvarez in a remarkable subject fight. McGregor presently holds the light and featherweight game titles simultaneously. Nurmagomedov in addition to Ferguson stay top contenders, with Shelter rising in the rankings after a series of outstanding performances.
Featherweight
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Jose Aldo
- Frankie Edgar
- Maximum Holloway
- Ricardo Lamas
Featherweight safe bet Conor McGregor has dominated the department since winning the particular belt in 2015. Jose Aldo avenged his damage in order to McGregor in some sort of rematch but remains to be second in typically the rankings. Edgar and even Holloway have each been remarkable, whilst Lamas has quietly moved into the particular top five.
Bantamweight
- Dominick Johnson (c)
- Cody Garbrandt
- TJ Dillashaw
- Raphael Assuncao
- Jimmie Rivera
Long-time champion Dominick Cruz returned from the long damage layoff in 2016 in addition to immediately obtained the title. Cody Garbrandt has emerged while a legitimate contender, while Dillashaw in addition to Assuncao continue being top rated challengers.
Flyweight
- Demetrious Johnson (c)
- Holly Cejudo
- Wilson Reis
- Kyoji Horiguchi
- Joseph Benavidez
Dominant safe bet Demetrious Meeks features defended his flyweight belt an amazing 11 times. Henry Cejudo has shifted up the rankings with remarkable performances, while Reis, Horiguchi, and Benavidez circle out the leading five.
Women's Bantamweight
- Amanda Nunes (c)
- Valentina Shevchenko
- Miesha Tate
- Guardia Rousey
- Julianna Peña
Inside one of this most dominant dominates in UFC history, Amanda Nunes provides won the women's bantamweight title and defended it three times in 2016. Valentina Shevchenko has solidified her status as a top rated contender, while Tate and Pena have got also risen inside the rankings.
Women's Strawweight
- Joanna Jędrzejczyk (c)
- Claudia Gadelha
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz
- Rose Namajunas
- Jessica Andrade
Joanna Jędrzejczyk has established herself as the undisputed queen of the strawweight division, successfully guarding her belt double in 2016. Gadelha, Kowalkiewicz, Namajunas, in addition to Andrade have most been impressive within recent fights, producing the strawweight section one of this most competitive in the UFC.
Conclusion
The UFC rankings have undergone substantial changes in 2016, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of mixed martial arts. The particular emergence of brand new contenders, the climb and fall associated with established stars, and the ongoing dominance of certain champions have made regarding an exciting in addition to unpredictable year inside the UFC. While 2017 approaches, the rankings will certainly continue to change, with new issues and opportunities awaiting the fighters within each weight category.