UFC's newly unveiled AI-powered rankings have removed several veteran names — including Vera, Ortega, Emmett, Dariush, Lewis, and Andrade — from divisional top-15s, a move widely seen as overdue. However, the system has drawn scrutiny over placements such as Kevin Borjas at flyweight No. 10 despite a 2-4 UFC record, no finishes, and a recent missed weight, while Yair Rodriguez's absence is seen as a reasonable consequence of chronic inactivity. The AI rankings are set to run in parallel with the existing media rankings, with matchmaking continuing to be guided by the traditional version for the time being. The absence of a pound-for-pound list has also been noted, with UFC citing the category as too subjective for algorithmic ranking.
The UFC's new AI-powered rankings system made its debut this week, immediately sparking a mix of approval and pointed criticism over several of its divisional placements.
On the positive side, the algorithm's removal of a number of veteran names from divisional top-15s was widely received as a long-overdue correction. Fighters including Marlon Vera, Brian Ortega, Josh Emmett, Beneil Dariush, Derrick Lewis, and Jessica Andrade have all been dropped from their respective rankings, moves that many observers had been calling for based on recent results and activity levels.
The system has drawn sharper scrutiny, however, over specific inclusions and omissions. Kevin Borjas appearing at flyweight No. 10 has raised eyebrows given his 2-4 UFC record, lack of finishes, and a recent missed weight. Meanwhile, Yair Rodriguez's absence from the featherweight rankings has been noted, though most consider it a defensible outcome given his well-documented inactivity.
Why it matters
- The AI rankings will run alongside the existing media rankings, with matchmaking still guided by the traditional version for now
- Placements like Borjas at flyweight No. 10 raise questions about which performance metrics the algorithm weights most heavily
- The UFC declined to produce a pound-for-pound AI list, citing the category as too subjective for an algorithmic approach
- The parallel system creates potential for conflicting signals between rankings products as both evolve
The verified fighters listed in the AgentMMA database — among them heavyweight champion Jon Jones, welterweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, and veteran contender Dustin Poirier — were not flagged as directly affected by the ranking changes in the available information.
The UFC has indicated the AI rankings are not yet the basis for booking fights, leaving their practical influence on the sport's competitive landscape still to be determined.
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