After a multiple month layoff, I'm bringing back a feature that I started earlier this year where I combine a division's published rankings from UFC.com, Fight Matrix, Sherdog, and MMA Weekly. I then use those combined rankings to determine who should get the next title shot and which two fighters should face off in a #1 contender's match for the next shot based on the following rules:
- The next title contender would be the highest ranked fighter that:
- Won two fights in a row.
- Won three fights since his last loss in a title fight or against the current champion unless he's a former champion that successfully defended the belt.
- Won five fights in a row if his number of losses against the current champion is two greater than his number of wins.
- The next #1 contender match would be between the next two highest ranked fighters that:
- Won his last fight.
- Won two fights since his last loss in a title fight or against the current champion unless he's a former champion that successfully defended the belt.
- Won four fights in a row if his number of losses against the current champion is two greater than his number of wins.
I then pair up the remaining fighters from the top ten (sometimes going beyond) based on their last outcome in an attempt to set things up so that when all of the matches play out, there's at least a couple of good candidates for the next #1 contender's match.
After going through my theorical matchups, I take a look at the fights the UFC has already set up and give my take on what should happen with the unmatched fighters. Finally, I give my overall thoughts on the division.
In the spring, I was working my way "up" the weight classes. With this reboot, I'm going to start with heavyweight and work down since I didn't make it all the way through last time.
Combined Rankings
| UFC | Fight Matrix | Sherdog | MMA Weekly | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last Update: | 10/21/2013 | 10/20/2013 | 10/21/2013 | 09/24/2013 | |||||||||
| 1. | Demetrious Johnson | 1 | (0) | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| 2. | Joseph Benavidez | 2 | (1) | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| 3. | John Dodson | 3 | (2) | 3 | (5) | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| 4. | Ian McCall | 4 | (3) | 4 | (6) | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| 5. | John Moraga | 5 | (4) | 5 | (7) | 8 | 5 | ||||||
| 6. | Jussier da Silva | 7 | (6) | 6 | (10) | 5 | 8 | (9) | |||||
| 7. | John Lineker | 6 | (5) | 9 | (13) | 6 | 7 | ||||||
| 8. | Timothy Elliott | 8 | (7) | 10 | (14) | T9 | (OC) | 6 | |||||
| 9. | Chris Cariaso | 9 | (8) | 8 | (12) | T9 | (OC) | ||||||
| 10. | Darrell Montague | 7 | 9 | (10) | |||||||||
| Darren Uyenoyama | 7 | (11) | |||||||||||
| Louis Gaudinot | 10 | (9) | |||||||||||
Matches I'd Make
Joseph Benavidez has won three in a row since his split decision loss to Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson in the first ever UFC flyweight championship fight, and it's finally time for the rematch. John Dodson and Ian McCall are both coming off of wins, however not enough wins for either to qualify to take part in the #1 contenders match. So I'd match the two up to get one in position for fight later for a shot at fighting for the belt. The #1 contenders match instead would be John Lineker versus Timonthy Elliott. Seems sad that the highest ranked guys who qualify are 7th and 8th. Chris Cariso is also coming off of a win, but without another guy in the top ten (or event the other two listed) in the same position, I'd match him with Ali Bagautinov. As for those coming off of losses, John Morega (the most recent title challenger) will take on Jussier da Silva while Darrell Montague will match up with Darren Uyenoyama.
Matches the UFC has Made
Johnson/Benavidez will be taking place at the Ultimate Fighter finale at the end of November. Dodson just fought this past Saturday defeating Montague. McCall will be welcoming Scott Jorgensen to the flyweight division at the UFC on FOX card in December. Lineker will be taking on Phil Harris this weekend as part of the UFC Fight Night. Elliott will be taking on Bagautinov at UFC 167.
Matches I'd Add to the UFC's
I'll keep my Moraga/da Silva and Montague/Uyenoyama fights intact. The only other fight-less guys from the top ten are Dodson and Cariso. I have no reason to believe we need to see that fight. I'd lean towards giving Dodson the winner of McCall/Jorgensen and Cariso the winner of Moraga/da Silva, but that doesn't make an obvious #1 contender for the championship.
Mighty Mouse has wins over the rest of the top five, and if he gets past Benevidez again, title match making for flyweight is going to get tough. Johnson has said that he'd like to fight again for the bantomweight title, but with as easily as Cruz handled him, I don't know that we need to see that. The UFC needs to get some more flyweight talent soon.
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