The legitamacy of the UFC's 'Official Rankings'

By Ivan Huang

The UFC removing fighters from their rankings makes it look illegitimate.

The UFC recently just removed Nate Diaz who was ranked number 5 and T.J Grant who was ranked number 3 off of their "official UFC rankings" the rank that the UFC puts on the fighter's name while being introduced by Bruce Buffer on TV.

Removing Grant off of the rankings was warranted since he hasn't fought since May 25, 2013, but removing Diaz while keeping his last opponent Gray Maynard, who last fought the same time as Diaz in November, 30, 2013, remained on the UFC's official rankings. 

It isn't even about the length of layoff either, Cat Zingano who is ranked number 1 on the Women's Bantamweight division, has not fought since April 13, 2013 and an even longer layoff for Dominick Cruz who hasn't fought since October 1 of 2011 is ranked 9th on the Bantamweight division.

This leaves the question, is the UFC's ranking system based on the relationship fighters have with UFC's personnel?

If it is then it makes sense why Diaz was taken off because of the constant war of words between Diaz and UFC President Dana White.

UFC Rankings put aside, MMA Tribune will debut our own MMA rankings for each division in the coming weeks. Stay Tuned!