UFC Rankings Update: Brandon Moreno makes big strides in P4P rankings, newly crowned champ Jamahal Hill enters list for the first time
Brandon Moreno and Jamahal Hill's respective recent championship successes saw them take giant leaps in the UFC's latest pound-for-pound rankings.
At UFC 283, Moreno reclaimed the flyweight championship in his fourth battle with Deiveson Figueiredo. He regained top spot in the flyweight rankings as his opponent fell to the No.1 contender spot, although 'Deus Da Guerra intends to move up to bantamweight.
The pound-for-pound rankings saw major movement, with Moreno ascending six positions to No.9. Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka, Dustin Poirier, and Robert Whittaker each took a one-place hit.
Figueiredo was the most affected as he dropped five places to No.15, while Jamahal Hill made his debut in the P4P rankings after winning the light heavyweight title.
Check out the latest rankings:
Major SHAKEUP in the UFC’s official P4P rankings following Brandon Moreno & Jamahal Hill’s title victories at #UFC283.
Do you agree with the changes? #UFC #MMA https://t.co/676sqmWQnP
The flyweight division saw further movement, with Muhammad Mokaev and Tagir Ulanbekov each moving up a position. The most movement, however, came in the light heavyweight division, which has been affected by the crowning of a new champion and the retirement of Glover Teixeira.
Johnny Walker's win over Paul Craig at UFC 283 propelled him four places to No.8, while Craig dropped two positions to No.11. Elsewhere, Glover Teixeira dropped three places, falling below Magomed Ankalaev, Jan Blachowicz, and Aleksandar Rakic. Should his retirement be made official, he's expected to be removed from the list.
Jessica Andrade's win at UFC 283 over Lauren Murphy earned her a three-position climb to No.3 in the women's flyweight division. Meanwhile, Murphy dropped two places to No.6. At the same time, Andrade's strawweight ranking took a hit, with the Brazilian going down two places to No.6.
Taila Santos and Manon Fiorot each climbed a place in the women's pound-for-pound rankings to No.9 and No.11, respectively. That pushed Holly Holm down to No.12.
Brandon Moreno weighs in on his next opponent after UFC 283 win
Brandon Moreno's second win in four meetings with Deiveson Figueiredo earned him the status of two-time flyweight champion. But the pressure from future challengers has never been higher.
No.2-ranked flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja was the first to make his case for a title shot. He did it directly, perhaps even prematurely, moments after Moreno's UFC 283 triumph.
Check out their backstage meeting below:
Alejandre Pantoja congratulates Brandon Moreno after becoming the undisputed champion. He weighed as an alternate for #UFC283 and seems to be the next in line
@ESPNDeportes https://t.co/GG5Pjr9lgC
Moreno confirmed Pantoja's status as next in line when he addressed the press later on. He also mentioned other names but expressed readiness to defend against anyone the UFC put in front of him:
“I understand how the line is right now. I think for sure Pantoja should fight next for the title. [Matheus] Nicolau is doing an amazing job right now, too, [and[ Manel Kape. I think those three guys are the next ones. At the end, I don’t do the decisions. I’m just ready to fight and I’ll be ready for the guy the UFC puts in front.”
Check out Brandon Moreno's complete press conference below:
Alexandre Pantoja has defeated Brandon Moreno twice, once in professional MMA, and is currently on an impressive three-fight win streak.
May 19, 2018
Moreno loses to Alexandre Pantoja via UD.
Moreno is 0-2 against Pantoja
He was submitted on TUF https://t.co/glrveiIT8G