Bleacher Report MMA Rankings for November 2015

Very little happened in the month of October when it comes to MMA. The UFC hosted just two events, UFC 192 and the stripped-down version of Fight Night: Dublin. Bellator and WSOF both put on shows, but neither promotion trotted out its top talent.

It was a dull month...but that's about to change.

November features four UFC cards across four continents, with fights including the likes of Ronda Rousey, Vitor Belfort, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Ben Henderson. There is a lot on the line in November, with a lot of high-stakes matches. Naturally, Bleacher Report is right here to get you primed for all of that with the latest edition of our monthly rankings. 

As per usual, the team's combined rankings can be found in this slideshow, while the rankings for each individual member of our panel are available on Twitter.

Rules and Notes

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Each month, Bleacher Report MMA will deliver monthly top-10 rankings for each major men's MMA division, as well as the women's strawweight and bantamweight divisions. The rankings will typically come out during the first week of each month, but timing will be flexible, depending on where major events fall on the calendar. Bleacher Report's rankings panel consists of Chad Dundas, Nathan McCarter, Steven Rondina, Jonathan Snowden and Patrick Wyman.

Which fighters are ranked? How are they ranked? Rules are as follows:

• Fighters are ranked in their weight class by each member of the panel, receiving up to 10 points based on where they are placed (the No. 1 fighter receives 10 points, the No. 2 fighter receives nine and so on). Ties are left unbroken, and fighters sharing the same number of points are ordered alphabetically.
• Weight classes for men include 125 pounds, 135 pounds, 145 pounds, 155 pounds, 170 pounds, 185 pounds, 205 pounds and 206 to 265 pounds. Weight classes for women include 115 pounds and 135 pounds. 
• Fighters must have fought within the last 18 months and/or have a bout scheduled. If a fighter is removed from the rankings due to inactivity, he will only be readmitted after participating in a sanctioned MMA bout. Retirements and indefinite leaves from the sport are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Fighters suspended for failed drug tests are immediately removed from the rankings. They are eligible to rejoin the rankings after serving their suspension and competing in a sanctioned MMA bout.
• Fighters suspended for behavioral reasons are handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Fighters are only eligible to be ranked in one weight class, determined at the panel's discretion.

Here are the notes for this month:

• Rousimar Palhares was suspended by the NSAC for two years for unsportsmanlike conduct due to his foul-filled fight with Jake Shields (and its aftermath, where he gave a little extra oomph on a kimura). So don't expect to see him here anytime soon.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov is injured. Again. That stinks, and it's likely to get him booted from the rankings, too. If he doesn't get officially attached to an event before the end of November, he will not be eligible until he returns.

Women's Strawweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Joanna Jedrzejczyk (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 10-0 (4 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 28
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 5-0 
Last Fight: Jessica Penne, Win, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 10) Valerie Letourneau, UFC 193 (November 15)

No. 2 - Claudia Gadelha (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-1 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 63"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Jessica Aguilar, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Carla Esparza (34)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-3 (3 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'1"
Reach: 63"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Jessica Aguilar (33)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5 (2 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 61"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Claudia Gadelha, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 - Tecia Torres (24)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 6-0 (0 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'1"
Reach: 61"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Angela Hill, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Michelle Waterson, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 6 - Jessica Penne (18)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3 (2 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 - Rose Namajunas (15)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 3-2 (0 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 23
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Angela Hill, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Paige VanZant, UFC Fight Night 80 (December 10)

No. 8 - Karolina Kowalkiewicz (14)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 7-0 (2 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 29
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Kalindra Faria, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Randa Markos, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 9 - Livia Renata Souza (11)
Promotion: Invicta FC (C)
Record: 8-0 (0 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 24
Height: 5'4"
Reach: N/A
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Katja Kankaanpaa, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Alexa Grasso, Unknown Date

No. 10 - Valerie Letourneau (7)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3 (4 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 32
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 68.5"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Maryna Moroz, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 1) Joanna Jedrzejczyk, UFC 193 (November 15)

Movers and Shakers in October

Rose Namajunas scored an emphatic win over an overmatched Angela Hill. That returned her to relevance and set her up for a big main event with Paige VanZant in December.

Aisling Daly had a feel-good fight in Dublin, but it wasn't actually something that made any impact on the rankings. While that doesn't bust her way into the rankings, she certainly looked better than in years past. With another win or two, she could climb her way onto the list.

Fights to Watch in November

• Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Valerie Letourneau (UFC 193, November 14)

Flyweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Demetrious Johnson (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 23-2-1 (4 knockouts, 9 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: John Dodson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 - Joseph Benavidez (43)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4 (6 knockouts, 9 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: John Moraga, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - John Dodson (42)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-7 (8 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'3"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Demetrious Johnson, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Jussier da Silva (30)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3 (0 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Wilson Reis, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 7) Henry Cejudo, The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 Finale (November 21)

No. 5 - Kyoji Horiguchi (27)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2 (9 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 24
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Chico Camus, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Henry Cejudo (23)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-0 (4 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chico Camus, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 4) Jussier da Silva, TUF: Latin America 2 Finale (November 21)

No. 7 - Ian McCall (22)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5-1 (4 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: John Lineker, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 - John Moraga (13)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4 (2 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joseph Benavidez, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Ali Bagautinov (12)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-4 (5 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 65.5"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Joseph Benavidez, Loss, Unanimous Decision 
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 - Zach Makovsky (10)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6 (1 knockout, 6 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 5'4"
Reach: 64"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: John Dodson, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in October

Ali Bagautinov returned to the cage after serving out his drug-test suspension and was handily defeated by Joseph Benavidez. There's no shame in that. Bagautinov is still something of an unknown commodity, though, and it will be interesting to see where he shakes out as time progresses.

Speaking of progressing, Louis Smolka has been making himself difficult to ignore, even in the oft-overlooked flyweight division. The Hawaiian silenced a raucous Dublin crowd by submitting a game Patrick Holohan, and while it's tough to say where he goes from here, he showed that he has the skills to compete with almost anyone in the top 10.

Fights to Watch in November

• Jussier da Silva vs. Henry Cejudo, UFC Fight Night 78 (November 21)

Bantamweight

Ken Ishii/Getty Images

No. 1 - T.J. Dillashaw (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 12-2 (6 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Renan Barao, Win, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 2) Dominick Cruz, UFC Fight Night 81 (January 17)

No. 2 - Dominick Cruz (44)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 20-1 (7 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 30
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Takeya Mizugaki, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 1) T.J. Dillashaw, UFC Fight Night 81 (January 17)

No. 3 - Renan Barao (39)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 33-3 (1) (8 knockouts, 15 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: T.J. Dillashaw, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Raphael Assuncao (32)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4 (3 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'5.5"
Reach: 67.5"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Bryan Caraway, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 - Urijah Faber (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-8 (7 knockouts, 19 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Frankie Edgar, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Frankie Saenz, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 6T - Marlon Moraes (19)
Promotion: WSOF (C)
Record: 15-4-1 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66.5"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Sheymon Moraes, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6T - Aljamain Sterling (19)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-0 (2 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Takeya Mizugaki, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Johnny Eduardo, UFC Fight Night 80 (December 10)

No. 8 - Bibiano Fernandes (16)
Promotion: ONE Championship (C)
Record: 18-3 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 5'7"
Reach: N/A
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Toni Tauru, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Eduardo Dantas (9)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 17-4 (4 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Mike Richman, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 10) Marcos Galvao, Unknown Date 

No. 10 - Marcos Galvao (6)
Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 17-6-1 (4 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 33
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Joe Warren, Win, Submission
Next Fight: (No. 9) Eduardo Dantas, Unknown Date

Movers and Shakers in October

Nothing of great importance happened in October, and there isn't all that much slated for November either. Business will pick up in a big way come December, though.

Fights to Watch in November

• Thomas Almeida vs. Anthony Birchak, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)

Women's Bantamweight

Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Ronda Rousey (50 points)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0 (3 knockouts, 9 Submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Bethe Correia, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 7) Holly Holm, UFC 193 (November 15)

No. 2 - Miesha Tate (45)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-5 (3 knockouts, 6 Submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66.5"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Jessica Eye, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Cat Zingano (38)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-1 (5 knockouts, 3 Submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Ronda Rousey, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4T - Alexis Davis (29)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6 (9 knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Sarah Kaufman, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4T - Amanda Nunes (29)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-4 (9 knockouts, 2 Submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Sara McMann, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Tonya Evinger (25)
Promotion: Invicta FC (C)
Record: 16-5 (7 knockouts, 6 Submissions)
Age: 34
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Pannie Kianzad, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 7 - Holly Holm (19)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-0 (6 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Marion Reneau, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 1) Ronda Rousey, UFC 193 (November 15)

No. 8T - Sarah Kaufman (14)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3 (10 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5'5"
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 2-2 (1 No-Contest)
Last Fight: Alexis Davis, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Germaine de Randamie, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 8T - Julianna Pena (14)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-2 (3 knockouts, 3 Submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Jessica Eye, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 - Sara McMann (9)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3 (1 knockout, 3 Submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 67"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Amanda Nunes, Loss, Submission 
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in October

Julianna Pena scored a big win over Jessica Eye at UFC 192. The TUF18 winner has long been given the star treatment by the UFC, but injuries have plagued her career thus far. With those troubles behind her, though, she may be poised for a title run in 2016.

Fights to Watch in November

• Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm, UFC 193 (November 15)

Featherweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Jose Aldo (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 25-1 (14 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chad Mendes, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 3) Conor McGregor, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 2 - Frankie Edgar (42)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4-1 (5 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Urijah Faber, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 4) Chad Mendes, TUF 22 Finale (December 11)

No. 3- Conor McGregor (40)
Promotion: UFC (IC)
Record: 18-2 (16 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 27
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chad Mendes, Win, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 1) Jose Aldo, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 4 - Chad Mendes (36)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3 (7 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5’6”
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2 
Last Fight: Conor McGregor, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 2) Frankie Edgar, TUF 22 Finale (December 11)

No. 5 - Max Holloway (27)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3 (6 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 23
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Charles Oliveira, Win, TKO (injury)
Next Fight: Jeremy Stephens, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 6 - Patricio Freire (25)
Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 24-2 (10 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5’5”
Reach: 65"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Daniel Weichel, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Daniel Straus, Bellator 145 (November 6)

No. 7 - Ricardo Lamas (24)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4 (4 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5’8”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 3-2 
Last Fight: Chad Mendes, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Diego Sanchez, TUF: Latin America 2 Finale (November 21)

No. 8 - Cub Swanson (12)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7 (8 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’7”
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Max Holloway, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9 - Charles Oliveira (11)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5(1) (6 knockouts, 12 submissions)
Age: 25
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Max Holloway, Loss, TKO (injury)
Next Fight: Myles Jury, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 10 - Dennis Bermudez (3)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5 (4 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5’6”
Reach: 66"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Jeremy Stephens, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in October

Things were slow at 145 pounds, with the sole takeaway during the month being that Darren Elkins remains a solid gatekeeper. 

Fights to Watch in November

• Patricio Freire vs. Daniel Straus, Bellator 145 (November 6)
• Clay Guida vs. Thiago Tavares, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)
• Ricardo Lamas vs. Diego Sanchez, UFC Fight Night 78 (November 21)

Lightweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Rafael dos Anjos (49 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 24-7 (4 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Anthony Pettis, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 4) Donald Cerrone, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 2 - Khabib Nurmagomedov (46)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-0 (7 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 27
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Rafael dos Anjos, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Anthony Pettis (38)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3 (7 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 73"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Rafael dos Anjos, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 6) Eddie Alvarez, UFC Fight Night 81 (January 17)

No. 4 - Donald Cerrone (37)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 28-6 (1) (5 knockouts, 15 submissions)
Age: 32 
Height: 6’0”
Reach: 73"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: John Makdessi, Win, TKO (Retirement)
Next Fight: (No. 1) Rafael dos Anjos, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 5 - Will Brooks (28)
Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 16-1 (5 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Dave Jansen, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Marcin Held, Bellator 145 (November 6)

No. 6 - Eddie Alvarez (26)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-4 (14 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’9”
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Gilbert Melendez, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: (No. 3) Anthony Pettis, UFC Fight Night 81 (January 17)

No. 7 - Tony Ferguson (21)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3 (9 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Josh Thomson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Edson Barboza, TUF 22 Finale (December 11)

No. 8T - Beneil Dariush (13)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-1 (2 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Michael Johnson, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8T - Michael Johnson (13)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-9 (7 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 29
Height: 5’10”
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Beneil Dariush, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Nate Diaz, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 10 - Justin Gaethje (3)
Promotion: WSOF (C)
Record: 15-0 (12 knockouts, 1 submission) 
Age: 26
Height: 5’11”
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Luis Palomino, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in October

The biggest lightweight fight of October, Dustin Poirier vs. Joe Duffy, got scrapped at the last minute and was rescheduled for January. Too bad, so sad.

The biggest fight that actually happened in October was Norman Parke vs. Reza Madadi. Madadi held a unique place in the rankings due to his 2013 submission win of Michael Johnson. However, while the loss would serve as a wake-up call for Johnson, who has since become a top-10 player, Madadi wound up burning 14 months of his life in prison.

He had the opportunity to jump right back into the thick of things at 155 pounds with a bout against Parke, but, alas, Madadi looked every bit the part of a 37-year-old who had just spent more than a year breaking rocks.

Fights to Watch in November

• Will Brooks vs. Marcin Held, Bellator 145 (November 6)
• Michael Chandler vs. David Rickels, Bellator 145 (November 6)

Welterweight

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 - Robbie Lawler (49 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 26-10 (1) (20 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 33
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1 
Last Fight: Rory MacDonald, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 5) Carlos Condit, UFC 195 (January 2)

No. 2 - Johny Hendricks (43)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3 (8 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 32
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 69"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Matt Brown, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Rory MacDonald (39)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3 (7 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 26
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Robbie Lawler, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4 - Tyron Woodley (35)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 5'8"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Kelvin Gastelum, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 5 - Carlos Condit (28)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-8 (15 knockouts, 13 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Thiago Alves, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 1) Robbie Lawler, UFC 195 (January 2)

No. 6 - Ben Askren (24)
Promotion: ONE Championship (C)
Record: 14-0 (1) (4 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 4-0 (1)
Last Fight: Luis Santos, No-Contest
Next Fight: Luis Santos, ONE Championship 34 (November 13)

No. 7 - Demian Maia (21)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-6 (3 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Neil Magny, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Gunnar Nelson, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 8 - Matt Brown (11)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 20-13 (12 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 34
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Tim Means, Win, Submission
Next Fight: (No. 10) Kelvin Gastelum, TUF: Latin America 2 Finale (November 21)

No. 9 - Dong-Hyun Kim (10)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3-1 (1) (8 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Josh Burkman, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Jorge Masvidal, UFC Fight Night 79 (November 28)

No. 10T - Kelvin Gastelum (5)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1 (4 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 23
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 71"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Nate Marquardt, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 8) Matt Brown, TUF: Latin America 2 Finale (November 21)

No. 10T - Benson Henderson (5)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-5 (2 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 5'9"
Reach: 70"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Brandon Thatch, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Thiago Alves, UFC Fight Night 79 (November 28)

Movers and Shakers in October

Albert Tumenov asserted himself as a must-watch fighter. He knocked out the tricky Alan Jouban in emphatic fashion at UFC 192, extending his winning streak to four. While that wasn't enough to break into the top 10, it doesn't feel like he's far off from joining the crew.

Fights to Watch in November

• Ben Askren vs. Luis Santos, One Championship 34 (November 13)
• Matt Brown vs. Kelvin Gastelum, UFC Fight Night 78 (November 21)
• Benson Henderson vs. Thiago Alves, UFC Fight Night 79 (November 28)
• Dong-Hyun Kim vs. Jorge Masvidal, UFC Fight Night 79 (November 28)

Middleweight

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Chris Weidman (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 13-0 (6 knockouts, 3 submission)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 5-0 
Last Fight: Vitor Belfort, Win, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 2) Luke Rockhold, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 2 - Luke Rockhold (44)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2 (3 knockouts, 9 submission)
Age: 30
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Lyoto Machida, Win, Submission
Next Fight: (No. 1) Chris Weidman, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 3 - Ronaldo Souza (38)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-3, 1 NC (2 knockouts, 16 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Chris Camozzi, Win, Submission
Next Fight: (No. 4) Yoel Romero, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 4 - Yoel Romero (37)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-1 (2 knockouts, 8 submissions)
Age: 38
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Lyoto Machida, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 3) Ronaldo Souza, UFC 194 (December 12)

No. 5 - Lyoto Machida (26)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-7 (9 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 74.0 inches
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Yoel Romero, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Vitor Belfort (25)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-11 (17 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 38
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Chris Weidman, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Dan Henderson, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)

No. 7 - Michael Bisping (18)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-7 (15 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 75"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Thales Leites, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8T - Tim Kennedy (10)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5 (6 knockouts, 8 submission)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Yoel Romero, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8T - Gegard Mousasi (10)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 37-6-2 (19 knockouts, 12 submissions)
Age: 30
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Uriah Hall, Loss, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10T - Uriah Hall (7)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-5 (9 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 31
Height: 6'0"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Gegard Mousasi, Win, TKO
Next Fight: Robert Whittaker, UFC 193 (November 15)

No. 10T - Thales Leites (7)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5 (4 knockouts, 14 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 78.8"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Michael Bisping, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in October

The biggest 185-pound fight of October happened over in Bellator, where Brandon Halsey and Rafael Carvalho fought over the vacant middleweight strap. Halsey has been a fringe top-10 name since he beat Alexander Shlemenko in 35 seconds, but his days as a 185-pounder have long felt numbered due to his struggles with making weight. 

Those troubles may (or may not) have led to his major upset loss to Carvalho. While a big win may have been his ticket into the top 10, he now finds himself well out of the running.

Fights to Watch in November

• Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)
• Uriah Hall vs. Robert Whittaker, UFC 193 (November 15)

Light Heavyweight

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Jon Jones (50 points)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-1 (9 knockouts, 6 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 84.5"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Daniel Cormier, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 - Daniel Cormier (45)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 17-1 (6 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 72"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Alexander Gustafsson, Win, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3 - Anthony Johnson (40)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5 (14 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Jimi Manuwa, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4T - Ryan Bader (31)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-4 (6 knockouts, 4 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Rashad Evans, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 4T - Alexander Gustafsson (31)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4 (10 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 28
Height: 6'5"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 2-3
Last Fight: Daniel Cormier, Loss, Split Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 6 - Phil Davis (25)
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 15-3 (3 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Francis Carmont, Win, Knockout
Next Fight: (No. 8) Liam McGeary, Unknown Date

No. 7 - Glover Teixeira (21)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4 (13 knockouts, 7 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 6'2"
Reach: 76"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Ovince Saint Preux, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Patrick Cummins, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)

No. 8 - Liam McGeary (13)
Promotion: Bellator (C)
Record: 11-0 (5 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'6"
Reach: 81"
Last Five- 5-0
Last Fight: Tito Ortiz, Win, Submission
Next Fight: (No. 6) Phil Davis, Unknown Date

No. 9T - Rashad Evans (6)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4-1 (7 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 5'11"
Reach: 75"
Last Fight: Ryan Bader, Loss, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 9T - Ovince Saint Preux (6)
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-7 (9 knockouts, 5 submissions)
Age: 32
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Glover Teixeira, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

Movers and Shakers in November

November was a fairly slow month in the light heavyweight division.

Fights to Watch in November

• Glover Teixeira vs. Patrick Cummins, UFC Fight Night 77 (November 7)

Heavyweight

Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

No. 1 - Fabricio Werdum (50 points)
Promotion: UFC (C)
Record: 20-5 (6 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Age: 38
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Cain Velasquez, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 2 - Cain Velasquez (45)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 13-2 (11 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'1"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Fabricio Werdum, Loss, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 3- Junior dos Santos (40)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 17-3 (12 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 31
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Stipe Miocic, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 9) Alistair Overeem, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 4 - Stipe Miocic (34)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 13-2 (9 knockouts, 1 submission)
Age: 33
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Mark Hunt, Win, TKO
Next Fight: (No. 5) Andrei Arlovski, UFC 195 (January 5)

No. 5 - Andrei Arlovski (26)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 25-10-1 (17 knockouts, 3 submissions)
Age: 36
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 77"
Last Five: 5-0
Last Fight: Frank Mir, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 4) Stipe Miocic, UFC 195, (January 5)

No. 6 - Travis Browne (22)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 17-3-1 (13 knockouts, 2 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'7"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Andrei Arlovski, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Matt Mitrione, UFC Fight Night 81 (January 17)

No. 7 - Ben Rothwell (20)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 35-9 (20 knockouts, 12 submissions)
Age: 33
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 79"
Last Five: 4-1
Last Fight: Matt Mitrione, Win, Submission
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 8 - Alistair Overeem (14)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 40-14-1 (19 knockouts, 17 submissions)
Age: 35
Height: 6'4"
Reach: 80"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Roy Nelson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: (No. 3) Junior dos Santos, UFC on Fox 17 (December 19)

No. 9 - Josh Barnett (13)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 34-7 (8 knockouts, 20 submissions)
Age: 37
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 78"
Last Five: 3-2
Last Fight: Roy Nelson, Win, Unanimous Decision
Next Fight: Unknown

No. 10 - Mark Hunt (6)
Promotion: UFC 
Record: 10-10-1 (7 knockouts, 0 submissions)
Age: 41
Height: 5'10"
Reach: 74"
Last Five: 1-3-1
Last Fight: Stipe Miocic, Loss, TKO
Next Fight: Antonio Silva, UFC 193 (November 15)

Movers and Shakers in November

The biggest heavyweight fight of October was cancelled, and the immediate fallout showed how the UFC tends to mistreat fighters it hasn't pre-selected for success. 

As for fights that actually did happen, Ruslan Magomedov continues to cruise in the heavyweight division. While he hasn't yet wowed fans with any individual performances, he is on a nine-fight winning streak in the always-dicey heavyweight division. It's not clear if he has what it takes to break into the top 10, but there definitely seems to be something there.  

Outside the UFC, Blagoy Ivanov defended his WSOF heavyweight title. He has long been an interesting fighter, lighting up the European scene before carving out a niche in Bellator. While he suffered a disappointing loss to Alexander Volkov in 2014, his back-to-back wins in WSOF have recaptured fans' imaginations. He likely won't be able to bust into the top 10 by squashing journeymen in WSOF, but if he finds his way into the UFC or back to Bellator, he could easily break into these rankings.

Fights to Watch in December

• Bobby Lashley vs. James Thompson, Bellator 145 (November 6)
• Mark Hunt vs. Antonio Silva, UFC 193 (November 15)