UFC Rankings: The Best of the Very best
UFC 2016 Rankings: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Best Fighting Championship (UFC) is the world's premier mixed martial arts (MMA) corporation. It features the most talented mma fighters competing in typically the most prestigious situations. The UFC launches official rankings for each weight class, which are utilized to determine subject fights and contendership status.
In 2016, the particular UFC rankings have significant changes, with many fighters producing notable rises and even falls. This content provides a thorough analysis of the UFC rankings while of December 23, 2016.
Heavyweight
- Stipe Miocic (c)
- Alistair Overeem
- Francis Ngannou
- Derrick Lewis
- Andrei Arlovski
Current winner Stipe Miocic has reigned supreme due to the fact May 2016, efficiently defending his seatbelt against Alistair Overeem and Fabricio Werdum. The surging Ngannou has burst upon the scene along with a string regarding impressive knockouts, relocating up to quantity three in the particular rankings.
Light High quality
- Daniel Cormier (c)
- Anthony Johnson
- Alexander Gustafsson
- Johnson Bader
- Glover Teixeira
Dominant champion Daniel Cormier continues to rule the light top quality division, having successfully defended his name against Gustafsson plus Johnson. Gustafsson's go back to title legislation after a lengthy hiatus has been impressive, while Reluquer has solidified the status as a top contender using a series associated with 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 need both been impressive in recent battles, with Whittaker particularly surging up the rankings with four consecutive wins.
Welterweight
- Tyron Woodley (c)
- Stephen Thompson
- Demian Maia
- Jorge Masvidal
- Rafael dos Anjos
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has successfully defended his name twice against Sophie Thompson. Maia and even Masvidal have the two earned their method into the best five with outstanding winning streaks.
Light
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Eddie Alvarez (c)
- Khabib Nurmagomedov
- Tony Ferguson
- Kevin Windschatten
The lightweight section has been inside flux in 2016, with Conor McGregor winning the seatbelt from Eddie Alvarez in a memorable name fight. McGregor at present holds the lightweight and featherweight game titles simultaneously. Nurmagomedov and Ferguson continue to be best contenders, with Windschatten rising in the particular rankings after the series of impressive performances.
Featherweight
- Conor McGregor (c)
- Jose Aldo
- Frankie Edgar
- Maximum Holloway
- Ricardo Lamas
Featherweight winner Conor McGregor has dominated the division since winning typically the belt in 2015. Jose Aldo avenged his damage for you to McGregor in a rematch but remains to be second in typically the rankings. Edgar and even Holloway have the two been outstanding, whilst Lamas has quietly moved into the top five.
Bantamweight
- Dominick Cruceta (c)
- Cody Garbrandt
- TJ Dillashaw
- Raphael Assuncao
- Jimmie Rivera
Long-time champion Dominick Cruceta returned from some sort of long injury layoff in 2016 and even immediately regained the title. Cody Garbrandt has appeared while a legitimate contender, while Dillashaw and even Assuncao remain top rated challengers.
Flyweight
- Demetrious Nicholson (c)
- Henry Cejudo
- Wilson Reis
- Kyoji Horiguchi
- Joseph Benavidez
Dominant champion Demetrious Manley offers defended his flyweight belt an unbelievable 11 times. Henry Cejudo has transferred up the rankings with impressive performances, while Reis, Horiguchi, and Benavidez game out the best five.
Women's Bantamweight
- Amanda Nunes (c)
- Valentina Shevchenko
- Miesha Tate
- Guardia Rousey
- Julianna Peña
Within one of the most dominant dominates in UFC background, Amanda Nunes features won the women's bantamweight title and defended it about three times in 2016. Valentina Shevchenko provides solidified her reputation as a best 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 while the undisputed full of the strawweight division, successfully protecting her belt twice in 2016. Gadelha, Kowalkiewicz, Namajunas, and even Andrade have just about all been impressive throughout recent fights, generating the strawweight split one of typically the most competitive throughout the UFC.
Summary
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 rise and fall associated with established stars, plus the ongoing dominance of certain winners have made regarding an exciting in addition to unpredictable year within the UFC. Since 2017 approaches, typically the rankings will undoubtedly continue to change, with new difficulties and opportunities anticipating the fighters within each weight school.