UFC Announces Move to Performance-Based Official Rankings

Overview

• The UFC revealed Saturday during the UFC Vegas 118 broadcast that it is developing a new official rankings system to replace the current media-panel model.
• The promotion said the new model will judge fighters by measurable in‑octagon results, specifically who they beat, strength of competition, activity, and consistency.
• Broadcasters and the UFC offered no rollout date or technical details, and the on-screen graphic described the system only as "coming soon."
• The announcement follows two years of public pressure from CEO Dana White, who has suggested using artificial intelligence and has discussed possible partnerships with firms such as Meta and IBM to remove human bias.
• Independent sites like Tapology have already added quantitative tools such as Strength of Schedule, and a UFC shift to measurable rankings could change matchmaking incentives and how fighters plan their careers.