Here are sportsnet.ca’s latest mixed martial arts rankings.
Jump to: Pound-for-pound | Canadians | Women
Jump to: Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight
Jump to: Welterweight | Lightweight | Featherweight
Jump to: Bantamweight | Flyweight
POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Jose Aldo
From a technical standpoint he has virtually no flaws.
2. Jon Jones
His creativity is unparalleled and he keeps getting better.
3. Cain Velasquez
Between size and skill, he is the most dangerous fighter in the UFC.
4. Demetrious Johnson
Has added finishing power to his impeccable technique and speed.
5. Chris Weidman
Aggressive with knockout power and a dominant top game.
6. Anthony Pettis
Lightweight champ is as dynamic as they come.
7. Lyoto Machida
Former 205-pound champ is close to becoming the 185-pound kingpin.
8. Daniel Cormier
Has never been in trouble in the UFC. He ragdolls grown men.
9. T.J. Dillashaw
His upset win over Barao was no fluke.
10. Renan Barao
His tenacity backfired against Dillashaw, as he left himself open to strikes.
Honourable mention: Urijah Faber, John Dodson, Vitor Belfort, Johny Hendricks, Ronaldo Souza, Anderson Silva, Chad Mendes, Joseph Benavidez, Benson Henderson, Junior dos Santos
CANADIAN POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Rory MacDonald
Possibly one win from a welterweight title shot.
2. T.J. Grant
Still sidelined with a concussion.
3. Mitch Gagnon
Could move into bantamweight title picture in 2014.
4. Jordan Mein
Looked solid in a win over Hernani Perpetuo on April 19.
5. John Makdessi
Lost baffling decision to Alan Patrick at UFC 169. He did enough to win.
6. Mark Bocek
Was given tough challenge at the TUF Nations Finale.
7. Patrick Cote
Was impressive in win over Kyle Noke in Quebec City.
8. Ryan Jimmo
Meets Ovince St. Preux at UFC 174.
9. Nick Ring
Looked great against Caio Magalhaes until he blew out his knee.
10. Mitch Clarke
Earned the biggest win of his career at UFC 173, submitting Al Iaquinta.
Honourable mention: Elias Theodorou, Chad Laprise, Roland Delorme, Yves Jabouin, Ivan Menjivar, Antonio Carvalho, Ryan Ford, Chad Laprise,
FEMALE POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Cristiane Santos
Explosive power, well-rounded offence, great defence. A scary individual.
2. Ronda Rousey
She can now finish fights with her striking? Look out, ladies.
3. Cat Zingano
Recovering from knee surgery and the death of her husband. Still the rightful No. 1 contender.
4. Alexis Davis
The Canadian faces Rousey for the title at UFC 175.
5. Sara McMann
Many believe her fight with Rousey was stopped prematurely.
6. Sarah Kaufman
Looked great against Leslie Smith at the TUF Nations Finale.
7. Miesha Tate
Earned her first UFC win over Liz Carmouche.
8. Jessica Eye
Undersized for 135, but tough as nails.
9. Jessica Andrade
The pint-sized Brazilian is on a roll.
10. Barb Honchak
The Invicta FC flyweight champ.
Honourable mention: Michelle Waterson, Amanda Nunes, Liz Carmouche, Marloes Coenen, Leslie Smith, Jessica Aguilar, Joanne Calderwood, Claudia Gadelha, Jessica Penne
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Cain Velasquez
Recovering from shoulder surgery; meets Werdum at UFC 180 in Mexico.
2. Junior dos Santos
Hand injury forced him out of May 31 Stipe Miocic fight.
3. Fabricio Werdum
Dominated Browne to earn title shot and TUF Latin America coaching spot.
4. Travis Browne
Was humbled by Werdum, but still a future title contender.
5. Antonio Silva
Currently on suspension after testing for elevated levels of testosterone.
6. Stipe Miocic
One or two wins from being in the title discussion.
7. Josh Barnett
Was on the wrong side of some Browne elbows at UFC 168.
8. Alistair Overeem
Win over Mir was huge for his career.
9. Frank Mir
Has now lost four straight.
10. Roy Nelson
KO’d Big Nog with a perfect punch.
Honourable mention: Mark Hunt, Gabriel Gonzaga, Ben Rothwell, Brendan Schaub, Soa Palelei
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Was ultra impressive against Teixeira.
2. Daniel Cormier
Made Dan Henderson look like an amateur at UFC 173.
3. Alexander Gustafsson
Demolished Jimi Manuwa in London March 8 to send message to Jones.
4. Glover Teixeira
Was too one-dimensional against Jones at UFC 172.
5. Rashad Evans
Suffered knee injury that will sideline him for most of 2014.
6. Anthony Johnson
Toyed with Davis for three rounds at UFC 172.
7. Phil Davis
Couldn’t take Johnson down and was tentative on the feet.
8. Dan Henderson
Should move back down to middleweight if he wants to keep fighting.
9. Ryan Bader
Knockout power and great wrestling means he’s always a threat.
10. Chael Sonnen
Preparing for grudge match with Wanderlei Silva.
Honourable mention: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ovince St. Preux, Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, Fabio Maldonado, Emanuel Newton
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Chris Weidman
Machida will be an interesting stylistic challenge for him.
2. Lyoto Machida
Meets Weidman for title at UFC 175.
3. Vitor Belfort
Pulled out of fight with Weidman due to Nevada’s new TRT standards.
4. Ronaldo Souza
Showed how dominant he can be on the ground against Francis Carmont.
5. Anderson Silva
On the road to recovery, but likely won’t return until 2015.
6. Luke Rockhold
Submitted Tim Boetsch at UFC 172.
7. Tim Kennedy
Dominated Bisping at TUF Nations Finale.
8. Michael Bisping
Faces Cung Le in Macau in August main event.
9. Yoel Romero
Has been a revelation at 185 pounds.
10. Costas Philippou
Knocked out Lorenz Larkin viciously in last outing.
Honourable mention: Gegard Mousasi, Mark Munoz, Yushin Okami, Francis Carmont, C.B. Dollaway, Alan Belcher
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Johny Hendricks
Recovering from bicep surgery but will defend title in 2014.
2. Robbie Lawler
Finished Jake Ellenberger at UFC 173; faces Matt Brown in title eliminator.
3. Rory MacDonald
Lots on the line against Woodley at UFC 174 in Vancouver.
4. Tyron Woodley
See above.
5. Carlos Condit
Underwent surgery to repair torn meniscus and partially torn ACL suffered at UFC 171.
6. Hector Lombard
Meets Kim August.
7. Dong Hyun Kim
On a roll. See above.
8. Matt Brown
Put on masterful showing against Erick Silva. Win over Lawler guarantees him a title shot.
9. Tarec Saffiedine
Looked great in UFC debut, but is injured far too often.
10. Demian Maia
Welcomes Alexander Yakovlev to the UFC May 31.
Honourable mention: Thiago Aves, Jake Ellenberger, Jake Shields, Rousimar Palhares, Rick Story, Kelvin Gastelum, Stephen Thompson, Mike Pyle, Ben Askren, Brandon Thatch
LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Anthony Pettis
Recovering from knee injury; Melendez is next.
2. Benson Henderson
Headlines UFC Fight Night event June 7 against Rustam Khabilov.
3. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Coming off dominant win over Rafael dos Anjos.
4. TJ Grant
Still recovering from concussion.
5. Gilbert Melendez
Faces Pettis for title after TUF 20 coaching stint.
6. Michael Chandler
Is coming off back-to-Lost controversial split decision losses to Alvarez and Will Brooks.
7. Eddie Alvarez
Injury forced him out of trilogy bout with Chandler.
8. Josh Thomson
Returns to face Michael Johnson in July.
9. Rafael dos Anjos
Was overwhelmed by Nurmagomedov.
10. Nate Diaz
In a feud with the UFC.
Honourable mention: Donald Cerrone, Michael Johnson, Jim Miller, Myles Jury
FEATHERWEIGHT
1. Jose Aldo
Defends title in UFC 176 main event against Mendes.
2. Ricardo Lamas
Meets Hacran Dias June 28.
3. Chad Mendes
Finally earned desired rematch with Aldo.
4. Cub Swanson
Headlines Fight Night against Jeremy Stephens June 28.
5. Dustin Poirier
Has been on fire since a short-notice loss to Swanson.
6. Chan Sung Jung
Likely to be on the shelf for most of 2014.
7. Frankie Edgar
Headlines TUF 19 Finale against B.J. Penn July 6.
8. Pat Curran
Injury has postponed his rematch with Patricio Friere.
9. Nik Lentz
Coming impressive win over Manny Gamburyan.
10. Dennis Bermudez
Looks to extend his current six-fight winning streak when he meets Clay Guida in July.
Honourable mention: Dennis Siver, Jeremy Stephens, Patricio Friere, Hacran Dias, Hatsu Hioki, Daniel Straus, Clay Guida
BANTAMWEIGHT
1. T.J. Dillashaw
Shocked the world at UFC 173.
2. Renan Barao
Was dropped by Dillashaw early and was a half-step behind for the entire fight.
3. Urijah Faber
Faces Alex Caceres at UFC 175 in puzzling matchup.
4. Michael McDonald
Will be on sidelines for a while with hand injury.
5. Raphael Assuncao
Holds a win over the new champ and deserves a title shot.
6. Takeya Mizugaki
Winning five straight in the UFC if no joke.
7. Iuri Alcantara
Meets Vaughan Lee in Berlin.
8. Eduardo Dantas
Submitted Anthony Leone in spectacular fashion at Bellator 111.
9. Bibiano Fernandes
Defended ONE FC belt against Masakatsu Ueda May 2.
10.Johnny Eduardo
Upset Eddie Wineland with a huge KO.
Honourable mention: Eddie Wineland, Mitch Gagnon, Vaughan Lee, Mike Easton, Ivan Menjivar, Erik Perez
FLYWEIGHT
1. Demetrious Johnson
Headlines UFC 174 in Vancouver.
2. John Dodson
A win over Moraga could put him in line for a second title shot.
3. Joseph Benavidez
Submitted Elliott with outstanding guillotine.
4. Zach Makovsky
Now 2-0 in the UFC. Faces Jussier Formiga next.
5. Ian McCall
Fight with Brad Pickett is back on.
6. John Moraga
Dodson will be a tough challenge.
7. Ali Bagautinov
Looking to upset Mighty Mouse.
8. Justin Scoggins
Returns at TUF 19 Finale against Dustin Ortiz.
9. Jussier Formiga
Faces Makovsky at UFC 176.
10. Kyoji Horiguchi
The Japanse star has worlds of potential.
Honourable mention: Chris Cariaso, Brad Pickett, Darrell Montague, John Lineker, Tim Elliott, Louis Gaudinot, Dustin Ortiz
MMA rankings are subjective, and ultimately have no real bearing on how fights should or do play out, but they inevitably get fans talking about the sport and its best fighters. Send your thoughts and arguments to @MikeyJ_MMA.
