Here’s a recap of Dana White’s explosive commentary regarding the current UFC rankings that has caught the attention of fans and fighters alike. The UFC President expressed his frustration through social media, criticising the ranking system that, in his opinion, is failing to accurately represent the sport.
White’s anger stems largely from the treatment of fighter Khalil Rountree Jr, who fought valiantly against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Following this fight, Rountree remained at the No.8 spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings, a decision that has bewildered many. In a social media post, White stated, “The morons strike again. Khalil Rountree fights that badass fight against Pereira and the morons rank him at number eight. Keep him at number eight?”
As you may know, the UFC rankings were introduced in February 2013, designed to help fans identify the top fighters within the organisation’s extensive roster of over 700 competitors from 79 countries, as of September 28, 2024. These rankings are decided by a panel of more than 20 media members who vote to curate the top 15 fighters for each weight class on a weekly basis. This includes the pound-for-pound rankings that aim to compare fighters across different weight categories.
White’s rants reflect a growing concern within the UFC community about the current ranking system. In light of Rountree’s impressive performance against Pereira — a fighter who has only experienced one loss in the UFC — many fans are confused as to how Rountree could remain ranked at number eight, especially considering he has faced less challenging opponents compared to others ranked higher, like Nikita Krylov who hasn’t fought since March 2023.
White expressed his intentions to address these frustrations in an upcoming meeting, hoping to overhaul the ranking process, stating, “This week I have a meeting to try and fix the rankings and get all these know-nothing, do-nothing m*f*s out of it.” This statement illustrates the urgency he feels to correct what he perceives as a flawed system.
In the light heavyweight division, the rankings currently feature familiar names such as Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Jamahal Hill, the latter of which is positioned after suffering a first-round knockout in his most recent bout against Pereira. The bewildering nature of the rankings leaves fans and analysts alike questioning how performance, particularly in high-stakes matches, affects a fighter’s position.
White’s fiery remarks aim to uplift the credibility of the UFC rankings and underscore the importance of accurate representation within the sport. As these developments unfold, you can expect closer scrutiny on how rankings are determined, with White leading the charge for change.
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