It’s been awhile since we’ve released a champions’ ranking list, but with Ronda Rousey - formerly the top ranked champion - out of the picture and Jon Jones returning to the fold, it’s time to revisit our champions rankings. This list measures how far ahead a champion is ahead of the pack in their respective division, and it’s not hard to guess who number one is. As always, odds for any upcoming fights are listed.
UFC odds available at BookMaker.eu
Please note, the odds listed here may have changed, as BookMaker updates their lines on a daily basis.
No. 1: Demetrious Johnson
Men’s flyweight champion
Next fight: TBA
WIth Ronda Rousey out of the picture, nobody has more of a stranglehold on their division that Demetrious Johnson. His combination of elite skills and physical tools makes him look unbeatable in a division where he’s handily defeated all challengers.
No. 2: T.J. Dillashaw
Men’s bantamweight champion
Next fight: UFC Fight Night 81, Dillashaw -160 vs. Dominick Cruz +130
If Dillashaw can get through Dominick Cruz - and that’s a big if - it looks like clear sailing for the Team Alpha Male standout. Cruz has fought just once since October 2011, but the former champion looked as good as ever in his win over Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 178.
No. 3: Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Women’s strawweight champion
Next fight: TBA
While it wasn’t the flashy knockout we were all expecting, Joanna Champion took care of business against the gritty Valerie Letourneau at UFC 193. Like Dillashaw, there is only one real credible threat to Polish kickboxer’s throne: Claudia Gadelha. Beating the Brazilian a second time would put even more distance between her and everyone else.
No. 4: Jose Aldo
Men’s featherweight champion
Next fight: UFC 194, Aldo +143 vs. Conor McGregor -165
Aldo has beaten everybody in the featherweight division - in some cases, twice - except for McGregor. While the Irish superstar is a real threat to Aldo, there really isn’t anyone behind him that seems truly capable of beating the Brazilian while he’s in his prime.
No. 5: Chris Weidman
Men’s middleweight champion
Next fight: UFC 194, Weidman -175 vs. Luke Rockhold +145
The action has been coming in on Weidman, as his line against Rockhold has shifted deeper into chalk territory since we last checked in a few weeks ago. Rockhold, along with Ronaldo Souza and Yoel Romero, are legitimate contenders to the throne - but none have the complete package that Weidman offers.
No. 6: Rafael dos Anjos
Men’s lightweight champion
Next fight: UFC on FOX 17, Dos Anjos -270 vs. Donald Cerrone +210
Dos Anjos’ money line has gotten cheaper by 50 points, signifying that action has been coming in heavy on Cerrone. Still, the Brazilian is nearly a 3-to-1 favorite over Cowboy for their upcoming encounter on December 19. With Khabib Nurmagomedov out of action yet again, RDA’s claim on the belt gets a little bit stronger.
No. 7: Fabricio Werdum
Men’s heavyweight champion
Next fight: Werdum +135 vs. Cain Velasquez -160
Werdum will rest up until early 2016, and then go into his rematch with Velasquez as an underdog. Although the Brazilian has never looked better his decade-plus run as a pro MMA fighter, there are some bad matchups on the horizon if he can get past Cain.
No. 8: Holly Holm
Women’s bantamweight champion
Next fight: Holly Holm +169 vs. Ronda Rousey -186
Welcome to the list, Holly Holm. Now here’s the bad news: You’re already an underdog against Ronda Rousey in a rematch that hasn’t even been officially announced. Even worse, fighters like Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano would not play perfectly into your strengths like Rousey did and could give you a ton of problems.
No. 9: Robbie Lawler
Men’s welterweight champion
Next fight: UFC 195, Lawler -145 vs. Condit +115
Robbie Lawler is probably the most exciting champion on this list. Unfortunately, one cannot sustain a championship reign with epic five-round wars. And with killers like Carlos Condit, Tyron Woodley and Johny Hendricks waiting in the wings, it seems like Lawler’s time as a champion could end at any time.
No. 10: Daniel Cormier
Men’s light heavyweight champion
Next fight: Daniel Cormier +235 vs. Jon Jones -305
When the former No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter returns to your division, your days as numero uno are numbered. DC can beat everyone else at 205, but Bones is an entirely different animal.
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