It’s been five months since Khabib “actually” retired, but now that Uncle Dana has finally come to terms with it, he’s been removed from rankings lists.
It’s been an amusing last few months. Despite Dana White’s mantra that it’s up to a fighter when he retires and that he’d never tell them to or try to influence them to stay – Khabib threw him for a loop. Nurmagomedov retired after being Justin Gaethje in October and showed zero signs of coming back. None. Nada. But White would NOT give up. He wanted him to fight again.
Finally though, he has relented. He says Khabib is hanging ‘em up now, which Khabib finds funny because nothing has changed for him. But this means he’s officially given up his lightweight belt – and he’s no longer the top P4P fighter in the world.
So who replaced him on the top of the list? The last guy that was in that spot before Khabib took it – Jon Jones.
Here’s a look at all the changes coming out of UFC Vegas 22 and Khabib’s “decision”.
Men’s P4P – Jones is the new top man, again. Basically everyone else moved up a spot, all the way down to ten. Robert Whittaker is up two to 11. Petr Yan stays still at 12. Francis Ngannou and Aljamain Sterling are up one to 13 and 14. Conor re-enters at 15.
Heavyweight – No changes.
Light Heavyweight – No changes.
Middleweight – Brunson is up three spots to four, despite beating a lower-ranked opponent in Kevin Holland. Darren Till, Marvin Vettori, and Jack Hermansson all fell a spot each to five through seven.
Welterweight – No changes.
Lightweight – The champ spot is blank. That will change with Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira face off for the vacant title on May 15th.
Featherweight – Arnold Allen and Sodiq Yusuff continue to trade the 10 and 11 spots back and forth, with Allen at 10 this time.
Bantamweight – No changes.
Flyweight – No changes.
Women’s P4P – No changes.
Women’s Bantamweight – Macy Chiasson is up two to nine following her win over Marion Reneau. Pannie Kianzad is up one to 11. Reneau drops three to 12 and might be done.
Women’s Flyweight – No changes.
Women’s Strawweight – No changes.