UFC Position modifications: Notable Gainers and Decliners Following UFC Tampa
The upcoming UFC rankings are about to be revealed, and they'll reflect some shifts following the outcomes from UFC Tampa on December 14.
Not all divisions got a shake-up, but as per long-term MMA journalist John Morgan, the UFC's lightweight, welterweight, and both male and female flyweight divisions experienced some shifts.
The most notable decline was experienced by Colby Covington. He endured a one-sided thrashing over nearly three rounds in his main event bout against Joaquin Buckley in Tampa.
The fight results lead to Covington dropping three places in the UFC's official welterweight rankings, from No. 6 to No. 9. The veteran fighter, who turned 36 in February, is remarkably robust, but he's now lost three out of his last four and four out of his last six bouts.
If he decides to continue, he may be positioning himself as a gatekeeper in the division. It'll be intriguing to see who he faces in his next bout, as his future matches will need strategic planning. His losses are mounting, and each one could further limit his potential in his career's latter stages.
On the other hand, Buckley's victory over Covington propelled him to No. 6 in the rankings. He performed admirably in his victory, but questions remain about how adept he'll be against someone like Ian Machado Garry inside the Octagon.
Originally scheduled to face Garry in the main event at UFC Tampa, Buckley was moved to the co-main event at UFC 309 a week earlier due to Garry's replacement. Both combatants are on the same path and could potentially square off in 2025.
In the male flyweight division, Manel Kape delivered an impressive performance, overcoming three low blows from Bruno Silva to earn a third-round TKO victory. Kape's win pushed him up three places to No. 6.
Despite UFC President Dana White stating that Kape's win didn't merit a title shot, he hinted at granting Kape's wish in his forthcoming bout. A potential matchup with Kai Kara France could materialize, with the winner possibly earning the opportunity to challenge Alexandre Pantoja–or the champion when the opportunity arises.
In women's flyweight, the resilient Miranda Maverick managed to reclaim a spot in the Top 15 with a unanimous decision victory over Jamey-Lyn Horth. Maverick has often struggled to secure adequate opposition, but her return to the rankings should make things easier as far as competition is concerned.
Lastly, the impressive Joel Alvarez, who dominated Drakkar Klose, entered the lightweight division rankings. However, it's uncertain how long Alvarez's spot will retain its significance, as he has openly stated he won't compete at lightweight beyond a imminent opportunity to fight in Spain.
For now, he stands among the top 15 lightweights in the promotion. There were no other changes in the rankings, making this the concluding update of the year, as UFC Tampa marked the end of 2024 events.
The UFC results from Tampa influenced the UFC rankings, leading Joaquin Buckley to achieve a notable move up, now sitting at No. 6 in the welterweight division. (ufc, ufc results, joaquin buckley, ufc rankings)
Despite his impressive win against Bruno Silva, Manel Kape's place in the male flyweight rankings doesn't guarantee a title shot, but UFC President Dana White hinted at a potential matchup with Kai Kara France that could change his prospects. (ufc, ufc rankings, manel kape, kai kara france)
Illustrating his determination, Miranda Maverick successfully reclaimed a spot in the women's flyweight Top 15 following her unanimous decision victory over Jamey-Lyn Horth. (ufc, women's flyweight, miranda maverick, jamey-lyn horth)
