The UFC has unveiled an AI-generated rankings system that runs alongside the existing journalist-voted rankings, with the new model removing several veteran names from divisional top-15s while producing placements that some observers find difficult to justify by competitive record alone. Notable anomalies include flyweight Kevin Borjas appearing in the top ten despite a losing UFC record and no finishes, while Blachowicz sits 15th in the AI light heavyweight list compared to fourth in the traditional rankings. The UFC confirmed that matchmaking will continue to be guided by the journalist rankings for the time being, and a pound-for-pound AI list was not published, with the promotion citing subjectivity as the reason.
The UFC has introduced an AI-generated rankings system that operates as a parallel track alongside the established journalist-voted model, with the rollout generating both curiosity and pushback after producing several placements that observers say are hard to square with competitive records.
The new system has drawn particular scrutiny in the flyweight division, where Kevin Borjas appears inside the top ten despite holding a losing record inside the octagon and zero finishes to his name across his 16 professional bouts. The 28-year-old Peruvian, who trains out of Pitbull Martial Arts Center, carries an overall record of 11-5 and lands 3.87 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. He has recorded no takedowns and no submission attempts in his UFC run, making his AI ranking one of the more difficult placements to explain on merit alone.
At light heavyweight, Jan Blachowicz presents a contrasting anomaly from the opposite direction. The veteran sits 15th on the AI list despite occupying fourth place in the traditional journalist rankings — a gap of eleven positions that illustrates just how differently the two systems are weighting competitive history and name recognition.
The UFC confirmed that matchmaking will continue to follow the journalist rankings for now, signaling that the AI model remains an experimental layer rather than an operational tool. A pound-for-pound AI list was withheld entirely, with the promotion acknowledging that the concept carries too much subjectivity to render algorithmically.
Why it matters
- The gap between AI and journalist placements for fighters like Blachowicz exposes how differently the system weights longevity versus recent performance metrics.
- Borjas ranking inside the flyweight top ten without a positive UFC record raises questions about what inputs the model is actually prioritizing.
- Because matchmaking remains tied to journalist rankings, the practical impact on bookings is limited for now, but the parallel system creates a new public reference point that fighters and managers will likely cite.
