UFC Rankings: Michael Venom Page Breaks Top 15, Sean O’Malley Passes Former Champs
There are a few new key players in the UFC.
Some of which you have seen over the years, rising through the ranks of the promotion. But, one name in particular made a massive splash in their Octagon entrance: Michael 'Venom' Page.
The UFC Welterweight division was put on notice as 'MVP' styled on #13 Kevin Holland, outstriking the veteran to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 299.
The debuting Page earned the #13 ranking by his name and Holland fell to #14 in the rankings. That wasn't the only movement at 170lbs, however.
#11 Jack Della Maddalena upset former title challenger and #4 contender Gilbert Burns in their contest, pulling off a come-from-behind TKO in the final round. Maddalena's will to win moved him up 6 spots to #5 in the world. Burns trickles down to #6.
American Top Team's Dustin Poirier and Mateusz Gamrot defended their top spots in the UFC lightweight division. Poirier stays at #3 following a devastating KO of Benoit Saint-Denis and #6 Gamrot surpasses Michael Chandler at #5 with a win over former champ Rafael Dos Anjos.
In defeat, #12 Saint-Denis and #11 RDA switched places in the rankings.
There's a new contender in the mix at 135lbs and his name is Kyler Phillips. The unranked 'Matrix' debuted in the top 15 following a unanimous decision effort over Pedro Munhoz over the weekend. Phillips enters the rankings at #12 as the #13 Munhoz falls to the last seed at #15.
The UFC Bantamweight Championship still belongs to Sean O'Malley as the colorful champion defended his belt against #5 ranked Chito Vera by unanimous decision. O'Malley's masterful performance at UFC 299 moved him up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings at #6.
'Sugar' surpasses former UFC champions #7 Charles Oliveira and #8 Alexander Volkanovski, trailing behind fellow champ (and potential foe) #5 Ilia Topuria.
Last but not least, 'The Future' is bright for Maycee Barber. The rising contender entered the top 5 with a win over flyweight staple Katlyn Cerminara. Barber got the nod by unanimous decision, adding the #4 ranking to her name while Cerminara drops to #6.
Coming off six wins in a row, it's not much of a surprise that Barber also debuted in the women's pound-for-pound conversation at #15.
Check out the UFC rankings in full below. (via John Morgan)
As a reminder, the official UFC rankings are compiled by a voting panel of media members.
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