The UFC's new AI-powered rankings have removed several veteran fighters from the top 15 — including Vera, Ortega, Emmett, Dariush, Lewis, and Andrade — and introduced changes designed to penalize inactivity, making it harder for fighters like Yair Rodriguez to leverage minimal activity into title shot demands. However, the placement of Kevin Borjas at No. 10 in the flyweight division — despite a 2-4 UFC record and no ranked wins — has drawn sharp criticism. The AI rankings will run in parallel with the existing journalist-voted version, with the old system still influencing matchmaking.
The UFC's newly unveiled AI-powered rankings system has sparked immediate debate after its debut reshaped the flyweight and multiple other divisions, dropping several established veterans while elevating fighters whose credentials are being questioned.
Among the most notable omissions, fighters including Marlon Vera, Brian Ortega, Josh Emmett, Beneil Dariush, Derrick Lewis, and Jessica Andrade have all been removed from their respective top-15 standings. The system was designed specifically to penalize inactivity, a structural change that also makes it significantly harder for fighters such as Yair Rodriguez to parlay limited activity into credible title shot leverage. The AI version will operate alongside the existing journalist-voted rankings, with the older system retaining influence over matchmaking decisions.
The cut that has drawn the loudest backlash, however, involves Kevin Borjas landing at No. 10 in the flyweight division. Borjas, a 28-year-old Orthodox striker from Peru who trains at Pitbull Martial Arts Center, carries an overall record of 11-5-0 and a UFC mark of 2-4, with no ranked wins to his name. His striking output sits at 3.87 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent accuracy and zero takedown attempts per 15 minutes paint a profile that critics argue does not justify a top-ten placement in one of the organization's most competitive weight classes.
Why it matters
- Veterans removed from rankings lose positioning that directly affects matchmaking priority and bargaining power.
- The inactivity penalty fundamentally changes how fighters manage their schedules and title shot timelines.
- Borjas's placement at No. 10 without ranked wins raises credibility concerns that could undermine broader confidence in the AI system.
- The dual-ranking structure leaves matchmakers navigating two potentially conflicting lists, creating ambiguity about which system carries real authority.
