Dana White reveals new UFC ranking system launches Monday
The UFC will roll out a completely overhauled ranking system Monday, one that blends algorithmic analysis with human judgment to replace the embattled media-vote model that has drawn criticism for years.
UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the launch date Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi, telling reporters the new approach will emphasize objective performance metrics over popularity or subjective opinion. The system had been listed as "coming soon" until White bumped the timeline forward. "Hopefully, they work," he said with a laugh, per MMA Mania. "They come out Monday. We'll have all the details and everything you need to know about them will hit on Monday."
How the new UFC ranking system works
White said the revised format will use both computational tools and human evaluators rather than relying entirely on automation. "I'm gonna have both, I'm still gonna do human, nonhuman, however you wanna look at it, rankings," he told reporters. "I think that neither will be perfect, but it'll get us closer." He acknowledged the rollout could spark backlash among fighters and fans. "I think you're gonna have a lot of people who are gonna complain and argue and go, 'Oh, this isn't fair. That's not right,'" White said.
The shake-up could reset the entire board, not just adjust positions based on recent results. Inactive fighters may drop sharply or disappear from the rankings altogether, while unranked prospects who have strung together wins on prelim cards could vault into the top 15. White compared the launch to his Zuffa Boxing venture, asking observers to give the system a full year before passing judgment.
The current panel-based model has faced scrutiny for inconsistent voting and limited accountability among the media members who cast ballots. White previously called an emergency meeting to address what he termed ranking "morons" and promised a data-driven alternative would follow.
Original reporting:
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