Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Bryce Mitchell put the rest of the featherweight division on notice at UFC 272.

“Thug Nasty” overwhelmed the previously 13th-ranked Edson Barboza through takedowns and grappling to earn a lopsided unanimous decision triumph on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Arkansas native has kicked off his professional career with 15 consecutive triumphs — including six in UFC competition — and that’s enough to propel him to No. 11 in Sherdog’s latest featherweight poll. On the heels of back-to-back losses to Mitchell and Giga Chikadze, Barboza falls out of the 145-pound rankings entirely.

Elsewhere, Marina Rodriguez scored a pivotal win at strawweight, edging fellow contender Xioanan Yan via split-decision in a preliminary clash at UFC 272. While a more emphatic triumph would’ve enhanced Rodriguez’s championship hopes, the win alone is enough for the Brazilian to switch places with the previously fifth-ranked Yan.

Finally, Colby Covington’s dominant victory against Jorge Masvidal in their welterweight grudge match was hardly unexpected, and the result of the UFC 272 main event doesn’t change the 170-pound rankings. Covington stays put at No. 2 — firmly entrenched behind Kamaru Usman — while Masvidal, who is in the midst of the first three-bout skid of his career, holds steady at No. 11.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

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