Author: Jeff Fox

By Jeff Fox | April 9, 2020 Jun 8, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; UFC president Dana White presents Henry Cejudo (red gloves) with the championship belt after defeating Marlon Moraes (blue gloves) during UFC 238 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports If reports are true, Henry Cejudo is going from facing one UFC legend at UFC 250 to another one. The UFC Bantamweight Champion was set to defend his strap against Jose Aldo at UFC 250 on May 9th in Brazil before COVID-19 scrapped those plans. The event’s venue, the Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo,...

By Jeff Fox | April 8, 2020 There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based ranking system, solely based on how a fighter has performed in the cage, this time for Bellator.  We’ll roll out a new weight class...

By Jeff Fox | April 7, 2020 Aug 25, 2017; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC president Dana White during weigh ins for the fight between Conor McGregor against Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Dana White gets what Dana White wants. And Dana White wants UFC 249 to go down, COVID-19 be damned. While I, along with most people, think this is a bad, bad idea, the UFC president will show us. Now, after announcing the fight card yesterday, we now know the location (but not officially yet). The...

By Jeff Fox | April 7, 2020 Jul 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kailin Curran during weigh ins for UFC Fight Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based...

By Jeff Fox | April 6, 2020 UFC 249: Ferguson vs GaethjeApr 18, 2020Parts Unknown UFC 249: Ferguson vs Gaethje Fight Card Fight Card Ranking (strength of card on paper based on our exclusive Pound for Pound fighter rankings) UFC PPV cards range between 15,450-4,700 points, with an average card ranking 10,400 (click on fighter’s name for detailed scouting report) (fighter ranking based on our exclusive Performance Based Ranking system – click fighter’s rank to check out the list) Stream live sports and ESPN originals on ESPN+ for only $4.99 a month. Start your 7-day free trial today! Main...

Jun 9, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Robert Whittaker (red gloves) fights Yoel Romero (blue gloves) during UFC 225 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based ranking system,...

By Jeff Fox | April 3, 2020 Dec 1, 2018; Adelaide, Australia; Jim Crute (red gloves) defeats Paul Craig (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Elsby-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or not.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto...

By Jeff Fox | April 3, 2020 Tyron Woodley fights Demian Maia of Brazil in the Welterweight title bout during UFC 214 at Honda Center on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Tyron Woodley Career Earnings (Strikeforce & UFC fights only, doesn’t include any PPV bonuses or other bonuses, Reebok sponsorship pay came in to effect at UFC 189) * denotes an estimated purse Click on event name for full payout for all fighters for that event Strikeforce: Lawler vs Shields – Jun 6/09 – W (Woods) – $3,000 ($1,500 to show, $1,500 win bonus)* Strikeforce Challengers: Kennedy vs...

By Jeff Fox | April 2, 2020 No, you didn’t miss something – UFC London didn’t actually take place. However, reports have come out that the UFC still paid the fighters scheduled to fight that night (the “show” portion of their purses it sounds like).  So here is an estimate of the amount each fighter made that night. Tyron Woodley:   $200,000 Gabriel Benitez:   $40,000 Darren Stewart:   $32,000 Bartosz Fabinski:   $32,000 ($16,000 to show, $16,000 win bonus – fought Stewart in Cage Warriors that night) Leon Edwards:   $31,000 Jack Marshman:   $30,000 Ashlee Evans-Smith:   $30,000 Marc Diakiese:   $28,000 Kevin Holland:   $26,000...

By Jeff Fox | April 1, 2020 May 25, 2018; London, UK; Michael Page (red gloves) enters the arena before the against fight David Rickels (blue gloves) at SSE Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come...

By Jeff Fox | March 31, 2020 There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based ranking system, solely based on how a fighter has performed in the cage, this time for Invicta FC.  We’ll roll out a new weight...

By Jeff Fox | March 31, 2020 Got this press release yesterday: Due to the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as current federal, state and local government mandates, Bellator MMA officials today have announced that three upcoming live events scheduled for May have been postponed. These events include: Bellator 242 – May 9 in San Jose, Calif. Bellator European Series London – May 16 in London Bellator 243 – May 29 in Temecula, Calif. The organization will continue to monitor the situation closely and fully intends to reschedule the events as soon as possible. As...

By Jeff Fox | March 30, 2020 Mar 7, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Beneil Dariush (red gloves) celebrates beating Drakkar Klose (blue gloves) during UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Mixed martial arts is as lonely and individualistic a sport as there is.  You enter a steel cage, the door gets locked behind you, and all that remains before you is your opponent and the referee.  No teammates, no coaches, no trainers.  You’re alone. However, outside of the cage (and in between rounds), a fighter is very much not alone.  While the...

By Jeff Fox | March 30, 2020 Jan 25, 2020; Raleigh, NC, USA; Curtis Blaydes (red gloves) and Junior Dos Santos (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about the “official” UFC fighter rankings, which are based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto...

By Jeff Fox | March 29, 2020 Got this e-mail in the inbox: Bones Jones has been caught by the long arm of the law once again, and the oddsmakers are weighing in on how the champ’s latest misstep will impact his UFC future. Additionally, the folks at SportsBetting.ag have come up with a list of odds for the UFC 249 location, and there are some hilarious options available to wager on. Current UFC odds can be found here: https://www.sportsbetting.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/mma-props UFC 249 Location Florida +225 Russia +300 United Arab Emirates +300 Mexico +500 Saudi Arabia +800 South Africa +1000...

By Jeff Fox | March 27, 2020 LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Demetrious Johnson in attendance during the UFC 200 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 9, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) The Rankings are just that – The MMA Manifesto’s rankings of the best fighters in mixed martial arts today.  Check back every Monday and Friday for our rankings of a different weight class.  Next up: Non-UFC Fighters Voting Panel: Jeff Fox, Daniel Vreeland, Ricky Leone, Kurt K26 and Ryan MacDonald. Canadians – get a free trial of the home of Bellator, NFL & more,...

By Jeff Fox | March 26, 2020 Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones was arrested last night for aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, possession of an open container, and no proof of insurance in his vehicle. At least the firearm charge is a new one for him. Here’s the arrest record from the Albuquerque police: Name:  JONES, JONATHAN DWIGHT           Person ID:  100240850             Booking #:  130879280       Arrest ID:  141079036 YOB:  1987 Booking Date:  03/26/2020   Time:  04:43     Arresting Agency:  APD    Arresting Officer:  BRIAN JOHNSON 98958     Arrest Date:  03/26/2020    Arrest Time:  01:01    Arrest Location:   312 CENTRAL AVE SW ALBUQUERQUE NM Charges: Type: Count: Statute: Description:...

By Jeff Fox | March 25, 2020 May 25, 2018; London, UK; MMA: Bellator 200 – Rafael Carvlho (red) -V- Gegard Mousasi (blue) at SSE Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance...

  There is constant debate about fighter rankings, which are normally based on voting from a panel of journalists.  Such is the case with something as subjective as voting – it’s totally based on voter’s opinion, and biases are bound to seep through, whether intentional or no.  So to try to put a fresh, objective, data-driven spin on rankings, The MMA Manifesto has come up with a performance based ranking system, solely based on how a fighter has performed in the cage, this time for Invicta FC.  We’ll roll out a new weight class every Tuesday. Next up: Feathweights &...

By Jeff Fox | March 23, 2020 Shop all things UFC at Amazon! (The MMA Manifesto is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com) Which fighter has earned the most money over the course of their UFC career?  We’ve crunched the numbers and have the answer for you.  And the names at the top of the list probably won’t surprise many. But, before we reveal the list, first some ground rules.  Athletic commissions didn’t start releasing fighter purse...