UFC rankings mean everything — and they mean nothing. This sounds confusing, until you delve into why fighters get ranked, move up and down the roster, and how ranks play into UFC matchmaking.
For the most part, UFC rankings dictate who fights whom at the top of each division. While a UFC weight class can hold over 100 fighters, only 15 are ranked, with the No. 1-ranked fighter considered the top contender beneath the champ.
In this guide, we’ll explain who decides the UFC rankings, where you can track them, how they influence fights, and why they can be controversial.
Who decides UFC rankings?
UFC rankings aren’t controlled directly by the UFC. Instead, they’re created by a voting panel, consisting of MMA media members.
As per the UFC website, the current rankings panel consists of a series of outlets: KHON Honolulu, MMA Oddsbreaker, CFMU 93.3, Bursprak.se, FightNews, Fight Network, Gazeta Esportiva, Cherokee Scout, Burbank Leader, MMA Weekly, KIOZ 105.3, Vladusport.com, Wrestling Observer, Top Turtle Podcast, My MMA News, MMA Fight Radio, BoxeoMundial, Kimura.se, MMA Soldier, MMA NYTT, Blood & Sweat, Inside Fighting Radio.
Rankings are typically updated on the Tuesday after a UFC event airs. They can be tracked on the UFC rankings page on the official website.
Obviously, this introduces an element of subjectivity, and some outlets, like Tapology, use their own algorithmic UFC rankings. UFC and Dana White were also in talks with Meta to introduce AI rankings, but there hasn’t been an update yet.
How UFC fighters move up and down the rankings
The UFC rankings are both a meritocracy and a popularity contest. Fighters normally move up or down based on winning or losing fights. Sometimes they move up or down the rankings despite not having fought in months.
Pundits and fans believe these mystery rank changes can predict a fighter’s trajectory; if they ‘randomly’ jump two or three spots, then they’ve likely got a high-profile fight coming up and the promotion needs to inflate their image.
Are UFC fighters removed from rankings over inactivity?
Sometimes fighters are removed for inactivity; other times, they hold a top spot despite years outside the cage. Colby Covington is one such offender, being No. 15 at welterweight despite not having fought since December 2024.
What is a UFC contender?
UFC contenders are generally anyone in the top 10 of their division. These fighters could feasibly fight for the title in their next appearance. However, being the No. 1-ranked fighter in the division is no guarantee of a title shot.
One such example is featherweight Movsar Evloev, the top contender riding a 20-0 undefeated streak. Since he has never finished a fighter inside the UFC, he’s been jumped for title shots twice, and could be a third time.
Title shots aren’t always guaranteed
Evloev is a prime example of how UFC’s rankings do not impact title shots. His position exposes the promotion for ignoring principled matchmaking in favor of giving more exciting fighters the opportunity to perform.
UFC rankings provide a structure for each division, but they’re far from a perfect system. Results matter, but so does timing, activity, and promotion, which is why the path to a title shot isn’t always as straightforward as the rankings suggest.
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