UFC Rankings: Jose Aldo Makes a Big Return to Sean O’Malley’s BW Division, Steve Erceg Gets Surprising News & Women’s 115 Lb’s Sees a New Challenger

UFC 301 witnessed some of the finest fights from the Brazilians. From Mauricio Ruffy’s electric debut to Erceg’s show of grit inside the octagon despite a loss, without a doubt, Rio de Janeiro impressed the fight fans. Regardless, the dominating fights also came with dominant changes in the UFC rankings. One of the most loved fighters, the ‘King of Rio’, Jose Aldo, has yet again garnered the fans’ cheers by moving back into the top 15.

The fans of mixed martial arts have been excited about Aldo’s return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with the former featherweight champ aiming at the bantamweight belt. But how close is Aldo to the champion’s position?

Updates in the UFC ranking

Following his fight against Merab Dvalishvili, ‘Scarface’ took a 21-month sabbatical from the world of mixed martial arts and tried his luck in the realm of boxing. However, he returned with full force in UFC 301 and defeated Jonathan Martinez. Without a doubt, his phenomenal victory earned him the 8th place in Sean O’Malley’s division. Martinez however, dropped down to number 14.

Alexandre Pantoja remains the flyweight champion after successfully defending his belt against Steve Erceg. However, the challenger, although defeated, moved up one spot to the 9th spot, replacing Tim Elliott, who dropped down to the 10th position. 

The middleweight division also witnessed a major change. Michel Pereira entered the middleweight rankings following the impressive submission he performed on Ihor Potieria. Pereira now stands on the 13th rank. Caio Borralho also swooped up a couple of steps after defeating the fearsome Scotsman, Paul Craig. Borralho now ranks at number 12. Anthony Hernandez and Roman Dolidze, both fell two steps to number 14 and 11, respectively. Khamzat Chimaev, however, climbed up a step and became the 10th ranker, as Jack Hermansson landed at number 9.

But the women weren’t too far behind. In the women’s strawweight rankings, Iasmin Lucindo has made her debut as she lands at number 13, after defeating Karolina Kowalkiewicz via decision. Kowalkiewicz fell down a couple of steps and landed in the 15th rank. UFC 301 was, in fact, a callout by the Brazilian mixed martial artists that they were here to overtake the ranks. But the one thing that has excited the fans the most, is Aldo’s return to go for another run in the UFC.

Jose Aldo would sit with Dana White and discuss his future in the UFC

Aldo currently stands as a free agent, as his contract with the UFC ended with his victory over Martinez. However, the Brazilian seems to have liked the way it feels while rolling on the Octagon canvas. He previously had a pretty amazing run before announcing his retirement. But now, the fighter has returned to reclaim his throne. This time, in the bantamweight division.

In a tweet shared by Guilherme Cruz, Aldo revealed his interest in taking over the bantamweight title. Cruz wrote that Aldo wanted to sit together with Dana White and talk about his future in the MMA promotion. Nevertheless, the fighter “liked the idea of skipping the line straight for the bantamweight title.”

What do you think of the updated rankings? Do you think Jose Aldo will claim the bantamweight championship belt? Let us know in the comments down below.