There's always some fluidity in the MMA rankings, but often that movement happens at a glacier's pace.
In this latest update of the ESPN divisional rankings, however, there are two brand-new No. 1s and also the return of a former champion.
Leading the way is Julianna Peña, who moves up from No. 3 to take over the top spot at women's bantamweight on the strength of her shocking UFC 269 upset of Amanda Nunes, a two-division champion and the consensus GOAT.
That same event on Dec. 11 helped elevate another new No. 1. Charles Oliveira already owned the UFC lightweight belt going into the night, but the consensus was that his challenger, Dustin Poirier, was the best 155-pounder. Poirier was at the head of the ESPN rankings and also was ahead of Oliveira in our men's pound-for-pound top 10. But now Oliveira is at the top of the heap, after submitting Poirier.
The ex-champ returnee to the rankings is Dominick Cruz, the former men's bantamweight king. He moved into the No. 10 spot after his UFC 269 win over Pedro Munhoz.
Dropped from the rankings for inactivity are Zabit Magomedsharipov and Germaine de Randamie, neither of whom has fought -- or even been booked for a bout -- since last year.
SOURCE : espn
