When the UFC rankings were first introduced in February 2013, while not perfect, they were a much welcome addition to the product, something which their biggest rival Bellator should propose going forward. However, there is definite room for improvement, the case of Ronda Rousey for one.
Despite not competing for nearly a year now, Rousey is still ranked in the top 10 in the women’s bantamweight division. Rousey has not officially announced her retirement, but there are no immediate plans for her to return, she is far more likely to be seen in a WWE ring than a UFC octagon.
While personally, I wouldn’t totally rule out a one-off return sometime in the future, if the right opponent that ticks certain boxes is around, Rousey certainly won’t be looking to regain her belt again.
It seems highly likely Rousey won’t announce any plans to return in the immediate future; therefore she should not be ranked.
For me, the obvious way forward in issues like this, Nate Diaz another example who is still ranked in the lightweight top ten despite not having fought since UFC 202, is if they haven’t fought in 12 months and if there are no plans to do so, they are removed from the rankings.
It’s a simple straightforward rule that keeps the rankings relevant and more importantly credible.
Champion: Amanda Nunes 15-4-0
1 Valentina Shevchenko 14-3-0
2 Holly Holm 11-3-0
3 Julianna Pena 9-3-0
4 Raquel Pennington 9-6-0
5 Germaine de Randamie 7-3-0
6 Cat Zingano 9-2-0
7 Ketlen Vieira 9-0-0
8 Sara McMann 11-4-0
9 Ronda Rousey 12-2-0
10 Marion Reneau 8-3-1
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