UFC Rankings for Each Weight Division Following TUF Nations Finale

With a win over Michael Bisping on Wednesday, Tim Kennedy must be taken seriously as a contender in the middleweight division.

Kennedy outwrestled Bisping, who is usually surprisingly difficult to take down, for over five rounds to claim a decision victory. The win elevated Kennedy in the line for a shot at the 185-pound championship, as he is now 3-0 inside the Octagon.

Was it enough to earn Kennedy a spot among the Top Five middleweights contenders?

With The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale in the books and UFC on Fox 11 coming up on April 19, here are the latest official UFC rankings as voted on by various members of the MMA media, via UFC.com.

Pound-for-Pound Rankings

USA TODAY Sports

No Top 15 pound-for-pound fighters competed at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale, but there was still movement in the rankings following the fight card.

He hasn't competed since his December win over Anderson Silva, but Chris Weidman was elevated to a spot among the Top Five pound-for-pound UFC fighters. Weidman will have a chance to validate that move when he meets Lyoto Machida on July 5.

At UFC on Fox 11, elite heavyweights Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne will look to sneak into the Top 15. It's unlikely either will earn a spot in the pound-for-pound rankings unless they dethrone Cain Velasquez, though.

Official UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings

1. Jon Jones 
2. Jose Aldo 
3. Renan Barao 
4. Cain Velasquez    
5. Chris Weidman (+1)  
6. Demetrious Johnson (-1)   
7. Anderson Silva (+1)
8. Anthony Pettis (-1)
9. Johny Hendricks 
10. Ronda Rousey 
11. Vitor Belfort  
12. Benson Henderson   
13. Alexander Gustafsson  
14. Gilbert Melendez (+1) 
15. Urijah Faber (-1)

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

Upcoming title challenger Melendez deserves the No. 14 position over Urijah Faber. In his latest outing, Faber was stopped by Renan Barao in the first round, while Melendez fought to a narrow decision in his last fight for a UFC championship.

While The California Kid is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters going, he's not closer to the top than Melendez is right now.

Bad Call

Weidman did what seemed impossible by dethroning Silva, but he hasn't earned a spot above Demetrious Johnson in the pound-for-pound rankings. While Weidman has only defended his belt once, Mighty Mouse will be looking to defend his championship for a fourth time when he meets Ali Bagautinov on June 14.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Pound-for-Pound Fights

• None

UFC on Fox 11 Pound-for-Pound Fights

• None

Heavyweight

USA TODAY Sports

No heavyweights competed at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale.

However, the heavyweight division will be on full display at UFC on Fox 11. The fight card is headlined by a title-shot eliminator bout between Fabricio Werdum and Travis Browne. 

UFC newcomers Derrick Lewis and Jack May will also represent the heavyweight division on Saturday.

Official UFC Heavyweight Rankings

Champion: Cain Velasquez

1. Junior dos Santos 
2. Fabricio Werdum
3. Travis Browne     
4. Antonio Silva   
5. Josh Barnett 
6. Alistair Overeem 
7. Stipe Miocic 
8. Mark Hunt   
9. Roy Nelson 
10. Frank Mir   
11. Gabriel Gonzaga 
12. Stefan Struve 
13. Brendan Schaub (+1)
14. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (-1)  
15. Daniel Cormier  

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

There were no good calls in this edition of the heavyweight rankings.

Bad Call

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has not won in a long time and looked bad against Roy Nelson, but it was a loss that many expected against a more highly ranked adversary.

Minotauro has lost to Top 10 heavyweights Roy Nelson, Fabricio Werdum and Frank Mir since knocking out Brendan Schaub in August 2011. Schaub has only beaten unranked fighters Matt Mitrione and Lavar Johnson since that loss, so he hasn't really earned a spot above Nogueira. 

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Heavyweight Fights

• None

UFC on Fox 11 Heavyweight Fights

• No. 2 Fabricio Werdum vs. No. 3 Travis Browne
• Derrick Lewis vs. Jack May

Light Heavyweight

USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Jimmo was the only light heavyweight to pick up a win at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale.

The Canadian dispatched UFC newcomer Sean O'Connell with punches in the first round. That was not enough for Jimmo to score a spot in the Top 15 rankings, though.

No light heavyweights will compete at UFC on Fox 11, but Jon Jones is set to defend his championship against Glover Teixeira on April 26.

Official UFC Light Heavyweight Rankings

Champion: Jon Jones

1. Alexander Gustafsson 
2. Glover Teixeira 
3. Rashad Evans 
4. Phil Davis 
5. Daniel Cormier
6. Dan Henderson  
7. Chael Sonnen (+1)
8. Mauricio Rua (-1)
9. Ryan Bader 
10. Jimi Manuwa 
11. Ovince St. Preux (+2)
12. Vitor Belfort (-1)
13. Rafael Cavalcante (-1)  
14. Anthony Johnson (+1)  
15. James Te Huna (-1)

 

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

It has been eight months since Chael Sonnen submitted Mauricio Rua.

The American is just now surpassing Shogun in the light heavyweight rankings, though. Better late than never, I guess.

 

Bad Call

Anthony Johnson has not competed in the UFC light heavyweight division nor has he faced any elite 205-pounders outside the Octagon. Although James Te Huna hasn't beaten any ranked light heavyweights, he's proved himself against some solid 205-pounders inside the Octagon. 

Until Johnson picks up a UFC win, he probably shouldn't be ranked in the light heavyweight division.

 

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Light Heavyweight Fights

• Ryan Jimmo defeated Sean O'Connell by (T)KO in the first round.

 

UFC on Fox 11 Light Heavyweight Fights

• None

Middleweight

USA TODAY Sports

Kennedy wasn't the only middleweight to pick up a big win on Wednesday.

Elias Theodorou defeated fellow Canadian Sheldon Westcott to win The Ultimate Fighter: Nations middleweight competition. At 25 years old, Theodorou looked like a fighter with contender potential.

Obviously, Theodorou has a long way to go before he finds a spot in the Top 15, but The Spartan has the tools to make it happen eventually.

Official UFC Middleweight Rankings

Champion: Chris Weidman

1. Anderson Silva  
2. Lyoto Machida 
3. Vitor Belfort 
4. Ronaldo Souza  
5. Luke Rockhold 
6. Tim Kennedy (+2)
7. Mark Munoz  
8. Michael Bisping (-3)
9. Francis Carmont 
10. Costas Philippou (+1)
11. Gegard Mousasi (-1) 
12. Tim Boetsch  
13. Brad Tavares 
14. Yoel Romero  
15. Thales Leites 

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

Kennedy strengthened his position in the Top 10 by beating Bisping, but he is still one big win away from breaking into the Top Five. With losses to Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold, Kennedy is ranked exactly where he belongs right now.

Bad Call

Gegard Mousasi might not have a middleweight win inside the Octagon, but he has a much stronger resume than most 185-pounders. Despite his loss to Lyoto Machida in February, Mousasi deserves to be ranked above Costas Philippou.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Middleweight Fights

• No. 6 Tim Kennedy defeated No. 8 Michael Bisping by unanimous decision.
• Elias Theodorou defeated Sheldon Westcott by (T)KO in the second round.
• Nordine Taleb defeated Vik Grujic by unanimous decision.

UFC on Fox 11 Middleweight Fights

• No. 13 Brad Tavares vs. No. 14 Yoel Romero
• Caio Magalhaes vs. Luke Zachrich 

Welterweight

USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Cote wrapped up a highly successful season for Canada at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale.

After Theodorou and fellow welterweight Chad Laprise captured TUF Nations titles, Cote stepped into the Octagon with fellow TUF Nations coach Kyle Noke. Surprising the Australian with takedowns, Cote did what he needed to do to walk away with a decision victory.

Thiago Alves, a former welterweight title challenger, will make his highly anticipated return to action at UFC on Fox 11.

Official UFC Welterweight Rankings

Champion: Johny Hendricks

1. Robbie Lawler 
2. Rory MacDonald 
3. Tyron Woodley 
4. Carlos Condit 
5. Jake Ellenberger     
6. Hector Lombard 
7. Matt Brown 
8. Tarec Saffiedine (+1)
9. Demian Maia (-1) 
10. Dong Hyun Kim 
11. Kelvin Gastelum 
12. Mike Pyle  
13. Gunnar Nelson 
14. Ryan LaFlare (+1)  
15. Erick Silva (-1)   

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

There were no good calls in this edition of the welterweight rankings.

Bad Call

Tarec Saffiedine is a contender in the welterweight division, but his resume isn't nearly as strong as Demian Maia's.

While Saffiedine has won five in a row and Maia has dropped his past two, the former does not own a win over a ranking welterweight. Maia, meanwhile, has beaten Dong Hyun Kim and Jon Fitch, the latter of whom would probably still be ranked had he not been released from the UFC roster.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Welterweight Fights

• Patrick Cote defeated Kyle Noke by unanimous decision.
• Chad Laprise defeated Olivier Aubin-Mercier by split decision.
• KJ Noons defeated Sam Stout by (T)KO in the first round.
• Richard Walsh defeated Chris Indich by unanimous decision.

UFC on Fox 11 Welterweight Fights

• Thiago Alves vs. Seth Baczynski
• Jordan Mein vs. Hernani Perpetuo

Lightweight

USA TODAY Sports

After 17 months away from competition, Mark Bocek returned to the Octagon on Wednesday.

The Canadian didn't look great against a UFC newcomer in Mark De La Torre, but he came away with a win. With three takedowns, it was Bocek's ground game that helped him gain a slight edge on the scorecards.

Several top lightweights will appear at UFC on Fox 11, as Donald Cerrone will meet Edson Barboza and Rafael dos Anjos will battle Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Official UFC Lightweight Rankings

Champion: Anthony Pettis

1. Benson Henderson 
2. Gilbert Melendez 
3. TJ Grant 
4. Josh Thomson 
5. Rafael dos Anjos 
6. Nate Diaz 
7. Khabib Nurmagomedov   
8. Donald Cerrone 
9. Jim Miller 
10. Gray Maynard  
11. Myles Jury (+2)
12. Edson Barboza (-1) 
13. Michael Johnson (-1)
14. Bobby Green   
15. Rustam Khabilov  

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

Undefeated since beating Michael Johnson at UFC 155, Myles Jury deserves his spot above The Menace in the lightweight rankings. Seeing as Barboza is without a Top 15 win, Jury also belongs above the Brazilian for now.

That could change if Barboza beats Cerrone at UFC on Fox 11, though.

Bad Call

There were no bad calls in this edition of the lightweight rankings.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Lightweight Fights

• Mark Bocek defeated Mike de la Torre by split decision.

UFC on Fox 11 Lightweight Fights

• No. 8 Donald Cerrone vs. No. 12 Edson Barboza
• No. 5 Rafael dos Anjos vs. No. 7 Khabib Nurmagomedov
• Jorge Masvidal vs. Pat Healy

Featherweight

USA TODAY Sports

At The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale, Dustin Poirier met Akira Corassani in the lone featherweight matchup.

Poirier had an early scare, as he was wobbled by Corassani. However, he battled back and finished the TUF veteran with strikes in the second round.

With three straight wins, Poirier should be ready to get back to facing Top 10 145-pound competition.

Official UFC Featherweight Rankings

Champion: Jose Aldo

1. Chad Mendes
2. Frankie Edgar 
3. Ricardo Lamas 
4. Cub Swanson 
5. Chan Sung Jung 
6. Dustin Poirier 
7. Dennis Siver 
8. Clay Guida 
9. Nik Lentz 
10. Jeremy Stephens 
11. Dennis Bermudez  
12. Darren Elkins    
13. Conor McGregor  
14. Tatsuya Kawajiri 
15. Diego Brandao (NR) 

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

Diego Brandao replaced Erik Koch in the No. 15 position. While many could have taken that spot, it was simply a good decision to remove Koch, as he is now competing in the lightweight division.

Bad Call

It is tough to decide whether Dennis Bermudez should be ranked above or below Darren Elkins, given that both have recent wins over Steven Siler and the latter owns a win over Diego Brandao, who submitted the former. In his most recent outing, Stephens picked up a clear decision victory over Elkins. Bermudez might have more potential than a veteran like Stephens, but the win over Elkins gives Lil' Heathen a stronger resume as things currently stand.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Featherweight Fights

• No. 6 Dustin Poirier defeated Akira Corassani by (T)KO in the second round.

UFC on Fox 11 Featherweight Fights

• Estevan Payan vs. Alex White
• Mirsad Bektic vs. Chas Skelly

Bantamweight

USA TODAY Sports

George Roop earned an important win on Wednesday. Coming off of a loss to Francisco Rivera, Roop needed a victory against Dustin Kimura to remain within striking distance of the Top 15 rankings.

Despite willingly going to the ground with the talented grappler, Roop easily took a decision win.

Mitch Gagnon also picked up a win at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale by defeating Tim Gorman, but he is even further away from the Top 15 than Roop right now.

Official UFC Bantamweight Rankings

Champion: Renan Barao

1. Urijah Faber 
2. Michael McDonald  
3. Raphael Assuncao 
4. Eddie Wineland 
5. TJ Dillashaw    
6. Takeya Mizugaki   
7. Iuri Alcantara 
8. Mike Easton 
9. Dominick Cruz   
10. Francisco Rivera 
11. Erik Perez 
12. Alex Caceres   
13. Bryan Caraway 
14. Brad Pickett  
15. Wilson Reis  

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

There were no changes made to the bantamweight rankings.

Bad Call

There were no changes made to the bantamweight rankings.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Bantamweight Fights

• George Roop defeated Dustin Kimura by unanimous decision.
• Mitch Gagnon defeated Tim Gorman by unanimous decision.

UFC on Fox 11 Bantamweight Fights

• None

Flyweight

USA TODAY Sports

No flyweight bouts were contested on Wednesday, but the division will return to action at UFC on Fox 11.

A bout between Dustin Ortiz and Alptekin Ozkilic was scheduled to occur at UFC Fight Night 39, but an injury caused the matchup to be scrapped. 

With Ozkilic unable to make a quick turnaround, UFC matchmakers sought a replacement opponent for Ortiz. The Roufusport product will now meet Ray Borg at UFC on Fox 11.

Official UFC Flyweight Rankings

Champion: Demetrious Johnson

1. John Dodson 
2. Joseph Benavidez 
3. Ian McCall
4. John Moraga
5. Ali Bagautinov   
6. Jussier Formiga 
7. John Lineker  
8. Tim Elliott  
9. Chris Cariaso (+1)
10. Zach Makovsky (-1)
11. Brad Pickett 
12. Louis Gaudinot    
13. Dustin Ortiz   
14. Scott Jorgensen 
15. Darren Uyenoyama (NR) 

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

Darren Uyenoyama has been slumping, but he has a couple UFC wins. Darrell Montague has not won inside the Octagon, so it was a good decision to replace him with Uyenoyama for now.

Bad Call

With a win over Scott Jorgensen, Zach Makovsky should be ranked above Chris Cariaso. While Makovsky owns a win over the former title challenger, Cariaso is still looking for a flyweight win over a big name and isn't nearly as accomplished as Jorgensen in the bantamweight class.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Flyweight Fights

• None

UFC on Fox 11 Flyweight Fights

• No. 13 Dustin Ortiz vs. Ray Borg

Women's Bantamweight

USA TODAY Sports

In the lone female bantamweight bout on Wednesday, former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman dominated Leslie Smith en route to a decision win.

The women's bantamweight division will remain active at UFC on Fox 11. In the co-main event, former title challengers Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche will both look to get back on track.

While Tate and Carmouche have some work to do to get another shot at the UFC championship, they are still two of the best in the weight class.

Official UFC Women's Bantamweight Rankings

Champion: Ronda Rousey

1. Cat Zingano  
2. Alexis Davis 
3. Miesha Tate 
4. Sara McMann 
5. Sarah Kaufman 
6. Jessica Eye 
7. Liz Carmouche 
8. Amanda Nunes 
9. Jessica Andrade 
10. Julianna Pena 
11. Germaine de Randamie 
12. Bethe Correia 
13. Raquel Pennington 
14. Jessamyn Duke 
15. Jessica Rakoczy 

Rankings Analysis

Good Call

No changes were made to the women's bantamweight rankings.

Bad Call

No changes were made to the women's bantamweight rankings.

Results and Upcoming Fights

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale Women's Bantamweight Fights

• No. 5 Sarah Kaufman defeated Leslie Smith by unanimous decision.

The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Women's Bantamweight Fights

• No. 3 Miesha Tate vs. No. 7 Liz Carmouche