Bo Nickal recently commented on the UFC rankings, making it obvious that he isn’t concerned about his current position in the list. The highly regarded middleweight prospect was ranked in the top 15 but strangely lost it despite remaining undefeated. With a fight against No. 13-ranked Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines in May, he has the chance to reclaim his position. However, according to Bo Nickal, the rankings themselves are not particularly significant in selecting who gets a shot at the crown. In fact, he took aim at Dana White and Co. by calling it a marketing tool.
During his most recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Nickal blasted the UFC’s ranking system, arguing it serves more as a marketing tool than a true merit-based structure. He highlighted the oddities in how championship opportunities are awarded, emphasizing how fighters ranked outside the top five can sometimes outperform higher-ranked challengers. “I mean, to me, the rankings are all just marketing. We have guys that are no. 7 fighting for the title, so no shade to them; that’s a great opportunity, but if the rankings are what rankings are… the guy who fights for the title should be no. 1, maybe no. 2.”
But that’s not all. Bo Nickal also questioned why his rating was removed despite his undefeated record, while his next opponent, De Ridder, was still ranked. He suggested that the UFC’s approach to rankings is strategic rather than based solely on performance. “You can kind of connect the dots when you see I was in the rankings and now I’m not. And the guy I’m fighting is in the rankings. You know, why would they do that?”
His statements contribute to the ongoing debate over how the UFC chooses contenders and the true significance rankings play in matchmaking. While Bo Nickal may not be concerned about his ranking, his upcoming battle against De Ridder has significant stakes. A dominating performance could force the UFC to reinstate him in the top 15 and improve his position as a future contender. However, if he believes that rankings are only for show, his true focus may be on making a statement inside the Octagon rather than on where he ranks on a list. But while he believes that the UFC rankings aren’t exactly accurate, Joe Rogan believes otherwise.
Joe Rogan disagrees with Bo Nickal’s thoughts on the rankings
Bo Nickal rejected the UFC rankings as a marketing ploy, but Joe Rogan has a different perspective. On JRE Fight Companion, comedian Brian Simpson questioned the UFC commentator on how UFC rankings are determined. The JRE host stated that rankings are determined by a media jury that evaluates fighters’ performances and votes on a regular basis. Unlike Nickal, who is skeptical, Joe Rogan feels the method is fair and mainly correct.
He said, “Based on who’s winning, it’s voted on. It’s based on the experts; [they] are deciding, like the press… They’re the best rankings we currently have available, and most people agree on them. They’re very close to what I would say are accurate. I only very rarely disagree with the rankings.” The UFC’s ranking panel is made up of media members from 21 outlets who rank competitors in eleven weight categories. These rankings are collected each week, taking into account aspects such as recent performance, opposition quality, and the nature of victory. While champions are automatically ranked at the top of their respective divisions, interim champions are immediately below them.
Rogan’s support for the system stands in stark contrast to Nickal’s stance that rankings do not actually determine who receives a title opportunity. Nickal’s displeasure comes from his own circumstances since he was removed from the rankings despite remaining undefeated, while his next opponent, Reinier de Ridder, is ranked in the top 15. While Nickal views this as evidence of the system’s shortcomings, Rogan sees it as a systematic method that, while not flawless, broadly reflects the environment of each division. But what do you think? Do you believe that the rankings are just a marketing tool used by Dana White? Let us know in the comments.
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