Conor McGregor heads The Times’ Top 10 UFC rankings
Since Ronda Rousey surrendered her women’s bantamweight belt 13 months ago, Conor McGregor has fought four times and seven new champions have emerged in the 10 UFC divisions.
Before she was vanquished by Holly Holm in Australia, Rousey was the UFC’s top draw and its top pound-for-pound fighter thanks to her 11 first-round victories in 12 fights.
Friday’s UFC 207 main event between Rousey and new women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes of Brazil will mark either Rousey’s ascent back up the pound-for-pound list with her old belt back in hand or a continued fall to who knows where.
Here’s a look at The Times’ top pound-for-pound UFC rankings:
1. Conor McGregor; Ireland; Lightweight; 21-3.
By virtue of his second-round knockout of former 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez last month, McGregor secured his standing as the sport’s top draw, even if the UFC later took away his featherweight belt.
Next fight: UFC President Dana White said he’s expecting McGregor to be off for a 10-month break before angling for a summer return.
2. Dominick Cruz; San Diego; Bantamweight; 22-1.
His co-main event Friday will be the third of the year for the crafty bantamweight champ.
Next fight: Friday versus unbeaten Cody Garbrandt (10-0) in UFC 207 at Las Vegas.
3. Daniel Cormier; San Jose; Light-heavyweight; 18-1.
The light-heavyweight champion took great pride when he topped this list. But Jon Jones’ withdrawal from the UFC 200 main event for a doping violation and Cormier’s training-camp injury before UFC 206 this month means he didn’t defend his belt this year.
Next fight: His rematch with top-ranked Anthony Johnson will be in the first half of 2017.
4. Demetrious Johnson; Parkland, Wa.; Flyweight; 25-2-1.
“Mighty Mouse” had some difficulty solving the awkward fighting style of “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Tim Elliott earlier this month, and his division is increasingly bare. Cruz says “we know why” Johnson won’t move to bantamweight following a long-ago, one-sided loss to Cruz.
Next fight: A knee injury will delay Johnson’s bid until spring to tie Anderson Silva’s record for 10 consecutive successful title defenses.
5. Joanna Jedrzejczyk; Poland; Women’s flyweight; 13-0.
Her unanimous decision over Karolina Kowalkiewicz at Madison Square Garden was a testimonial to her resilience and well-balanced skills and underlined her standing as the year’s best female MMA fighter.
Next fight: Rose Namajunas and Michelle Waterson are possible opponents.
6. Stipe Miocic; Cleveland; Heavyweight; 16-2.
The engaging champion deserves credit for defending his belt in his hometown in September. Despite being a volunteer fireman, he’s also a bit fearful of heights.
Next fight: The UFC granted Miocic’s request for holiday time off.
7. Tyron Woodley; St. Louis; Welterweight; 16-3-1.
In his first title defense, Woodley retained his belt with a majority draw against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in what was the fight of the night.
Next fight: The UFC is eyeing a Woodley-Thompson rematch by March.
8. Jose Aldo; Brazil; Featherweight; 26-2.
The former featherweight champion was given back his belt last month as the UFC stripped it from McGregor, who knocked out Aldo in 13 seconds one year ago. But Aldo’s long title reign and his impressive UFC 200 comeback win over Frankie Edgar won him the nod.
Next fight: Aldo has a date at some point with interim featherweight champion Max Holloway of Hawaii.
9. Amanda Nunes; Brazil; Women’s bantamweight; 13-4.
Nunes has elevated her skill through a run of important fights, particularly her punch-heavy treatment of Miesha Tate to win the belt via first-round submission in July.
Next fight: Friday in the main event of UFC 207 against Ronda Rousey.
10. Michael Bisping; England; Middleweight; 31-7.
The veteran has been named UFC fighter of the year by some publications thanks to his victory over Anderson Silva and upset of Luke Rockhold in June. As Bisping recovers from a knee injury, he might also be the champion most heavily favored to lose his belt in 2017.
Next fight: When deemed healthy, he will meet top-ranked Cuban Yoel Romero.
Twitter: latimespugmire
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