Nearly every aspect of MMA has been under evaluation on how it can be improved. Whether it’s drug testing and TRT regulation, referee calls and judge’s scoring, or the actual combat rules altogether; everyone is giving their two cents on how to improve the sport one way or another. After all the debating that has taken place about more issues in MMA than anyone can possible address, it’s strikingly peculiar that nobody has brought up the issue of MMA rankings and how they should be calculated.
There are a plethora of websites, television shows, and other MMA related organizations that have their own version of an MMA ranking order. MMA is a unique sport that doesn’t quite follow the style of a traditional ranking system, and it’s unlikely that any two ranking lists are identical. Even with all the facts and statistics about a fighter, there is much information left for personal interpretation to form, sometimes bias, opinions about a fighters ranking order in their respective weight class. A fighter’s winning streak, quality of opponents, ability to finish, and fighting frequency are just several of many factors that are viewed differently from person to person in the ongoing argument of ranking order significance.
For the most part, the majority of MMA ranking lists share similar names, but to have a fighter like Erik Koch ranked as the third best featherweight in the world on one list, and then not even have him in the top ten on another is truly baffling. When was the last time that such a ridiculous ranking conundrum occurred in any other sport? Most likely, it hasn’t. Arguing a fighters position one or two slots is one thing and is perfectly acceptable, but in this case, top three to outside top ten is pushing the envelope too far.
MMA has always had its mixed opinions on ranking, but now the importance of this issue is greater now then it has ever been. While it’s true that some MMA promotions, such as UFC, will give a title shot to anyone that they believe deserves one, many title shots are influenced by media rankings, and with nearly every weight class having several fighters that could be given the next title shot, it is important that the rankings reflect who truly is the most deserving of such an opportunity.
No ranking system will ever be perfect, but if anyone’s MMA rankings are to taken seriously, there needs to be at least a few general guidelines put into place so there can be a mutual understanding of how MMA rankings will be determined and the majority of ranking lists would come to a similar consensus, but still leave room for minor debate.
Written by : Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@Fightfreek