Another month has gone by and the MMA fighter rankings were once again shaken up as #1 ranked UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson was defeated by Anthony Pettis at UFC 164. This comes on the heels of Anderson Silva losing his #1 ranking after being defeated by Chris Weidman at UFC 162.
A lapse in judgment and a well-timed punch have altered not only this month’s fighter rankings but the top of the pound for pound ranks as well.
After last night’s UFC 162 and before the first questions was asked, UFC President Dana White had some announcements to make. The promotion made their schedule for the end of the year official with the events date, location and headliner.
With Bellator still on summer vacation it was up to the UFC and its fighters to potentially alter this month’s MMA fighter rankings. Since the last rankings came out there were three UFC events resulting in two new fighters breaking into their divisions top 5.
The UFC heads into uncharted territory with its upcoming 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter. The long running reality series will feature women coaches for the first time, as well as both male and female fighters living in the same house while separately competing for a UFC contract.
With Bellator still on summer vacation the UFC filled the month of April with four fight cards featuring nine fighters that appeared on last months MMA Valor Fighter Rankings. Two of those nine were champions who successfully defeated their titles and five of the other seven also walked away with victories this past month.
It was a well-hyped fight, but one that played out perhaps even more one-sided than imagined. The always vocal Chael Sonnen had talked his way into a title shot at 205 lbs, yet champion Jon “Bones” Jones wasn’t impressed by the verbal acrobatics, and certainly wasn’t impressed by Sonnen’s skills. Landing shots in the clinch and easily winning the wrestling battle, Jones broke a toe, but absolutely dispatched his opponent with little danger and maximum damage.
It was an odd night in Newark, New Jersey for UFC 159 as the event saw a couple broken body parts and a fighter incorrectly being announced the winner. One of those broken body parts was the left big toe of the UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Despite the nasty looking break the champion entered the record books by successfully defended his title for a record tying fifth time.
UFC on FOX 9 Weigh in Photo Gallery
Photo gallery from the UFC on FOX 9 weigh-ins featuring the UFC flyweight championship bout between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Also on the card are local favorites Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Danny Castillo and Roger Bowling.
Bellator 100 Weigh-in Pictures
Last night the fighters for tonight’s Bellator 100 stepped onto the scales with all 24 fighters making weight. The historic 100th event for Bellator takes places tonight from the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona and features an all welterweight main card on Spike TV.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
