UFC To Implement Much-Needed Rankings System With Specific Matchmaking Criteria

The UFC Vegas 118 broadcast hinted at a change to the promotion's rankings system.

Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LL

UFC Vegas 118 has come and gone, as welterweight Gabriel Bonfim defeated former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision to keep his near-perfect record intact from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas Saturday night.

Bonfim's victory will surely have an impact on the rankings at 170 pounds. Muhammad entered the fight as a Top-5 welterweight, despite back-to-back losses and no longer being champion.

Meanwhile, Bonfim increased his current winning streak to five and is interested in a fight with Jack Della Maddalena, another fellow ex-champion.

Gabriel Bonfim Eyes Ex-UFC Champ

May 10, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Jack Della Maddalena (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Belal Muhammad (not pictured) for the Welterweight Title during UFC 315 at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

"He is my next opponent because the division is kind of muddy waters up there," Bonfim told reporters via translation. "Things are kind of scrambled up top. He's in the top five, and I feel that he needs to be my next opponent."

Based on the UFC's soon-to-be new rankings criteria, the "measurable performance" element would make sense for a fight like this. While Bonfim has continued to win, Della Maddalena's loss to Carlos Prates extended his current skid to two. Bonfim's comments are validated, as the UFC has not announced plans for Islam Makhachev's first title defense since moving up from lightweight.

Therefore, to keep the division moving, it seems like a logical next step to continue to build Bonfim's reputation, while also giving Della Maddalena a formidable challenger.

“It’s pretty awesome," Bonfim said. "I’m very happy, actually, that it went five rounds because I proved to people that I can fight five rounds. And no one can say anything about this. I can do it, and I love doing it.”

Bonfim's timetable for a return to the Octagon is explicitly clear, too.

“November-December, I’ll be ready to fight him," Bonfim said.

When Will New UFC Rankings System Start?

Zuffa LL

It's unclear when the new rankings system will be implemented, as they were previously voted on by the media. However, the UFC still had the final say regarding the matchups, bout orders, event locations, etc. While the promotion will maintain much of that control, it will have to adjust to the new format by doing away with "popularity."

Hence, no more potential mismatches (a big winning streak vs. a losing streak), so-called undeserved title shots, or any other elements that may skew the rankings altogether.

We'll see how the changes play out over the coming months and years, but it seems the UFC is going ahead with a fundamental adjustment that will surely change the scope of how the rankings are interpreted moving forward.