Massive Shakeup In Multiple Divisions

Changes were aplenty in the latest UFC rankings update, thanks to a sneak peek from longtime MMA journalist John Morgan.

Following UFC Saudi Arabia, a number of fighters experienced notable dips, rises, arrivals, and eliminations from the Top 15 in their respective divisions.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya fell from No. 2 to No. 4 following his second-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov. Meanwhile, Imavov rose to No. 2.

While Imavov is one spot ahead of Khamzat Chimaev in the new rankings, the latter is still expected to challenge the winner of the championship rematch between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.

Also in the middleweight division, Roman Kopylov made his debut in the rankings at No. 14 following his fifth-round TKO win over Chris Curtis in January. Bo Nickal is also new to the rankings, checking in at No. 15.

At heavyweight, the recently released Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Marcos Rogerio de Lima were dropped from the rankings. Don’Tale Mayes and Jhonata Diniz replaced them, added at No. 14 and No. 15, respectively.

Shamil Gaziev scored a one-punch KO victory over Thomas Peterson at UFC Saudi Arabia. He was snubbed for a bonus at the event but did leap three spots in the rankings, going from No. 14 to No. 11.

At women’s flyweight, Jasmine Jasudavicius was the biggest riser. She moved up three spots to No. 9 following her unanimous decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva on Saturday.

Katlyn Cerminara was dropped from the rankings, and Amanda Ribas is no longer ranked at 125 pounds. Casey O’Neill and Bueno Silva landed at No. 14 and No. 15, respectively.

Finally, Ailin Perez got the rankings boost she deserved. It took two weeks, but Perez is now ranked No. 7, up four spots from No. 11 following her win over Karol Rosa at UFC 311. Her four-spot jump was the biggest of the week.

How Will UFC 312 Impact the Rankings?

Looking ahead to UFC 312, the two championship fights between Du Plessis-Strickland and Weili Zhang-Tatiana Suarez will impact the title status but may not shift the rankings of the challengers if they are unsuccessful in their attempt to win the UFC championship.

Quite honestly, the only other fight on the card that might impact rankings is the heavyweight clash between Justin Tafa and Talisson Teixeira. With Mayes and Diniz sitting at No. 14 and No. 15, the winner of Tafa-Teixeira should have a strong case to enter the rankings.

Here is a look at the complete UFC 312 card.

Main Card – 10 PM ET

• (C) Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland – UFC Middleweight Championship
• (C) Weili Zhang vs. Tatiana Suarez – UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
• Justin Tafa vs. Talisson Teixeira – Heavyweight
• Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato – Light Heavyweight
• Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado – Welterweight

Prelims – 8 PM ET

• Jack Jenkins vs. Gabriel Santos – Featherweight
• Tom Nolan vs. Viacheslav Borschev – Lightweight
• Wang Cong vs. Bruna Brasil – Women’s Flyweight
• Colby Thicknesse vs. Aleksandre Topuria – Men’s Bantamweight

Early Prelims – 6 PM ET

• Jonathan Micallef vs. Kevin Jousset – Welterweight
• Kody Steele vs. Rongzhu – Lightweight
• Quillan Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli – Lightweight
• HyunSung Park vs. Ayamjargal Tumendemberel – Men’s Flyweight