Vitaly MinakovΒ picked up another victory to defend his Bellator MMA heavyweight title. But how did it impact his standing compared toΒ Cheick Kongo in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA Power Rankings?
Check out the latest top 15 in each weigh class, including heavyweight, where Minakovβs win moved him up the ladder a little bit compared to Kongo.
The rankings take into account a fighter's wins/losses, quality of competition, finishing rate/dominance and frequency of fights.
Fighters are no longer eligible to be ranked after they've been inactive for 24 months, either due to injuries, drug/conduct suspensions, contract disputes or self-imposed hiatuses.
Fighters serving drug/conduct suspensions are eligible to be ranked, so long as they're not inactive for more than 24 months.
To the best of our ability, fighters will be ranked in their primary weight class. Catchweight fights and bouts outside the fighter's primary weight class can have a positive or negative impact on the ranking. However, fighters can be ranked in only one weight class at a given time, and in most cases, they won't be ranked in a new weight class until they've had their first fight at that weight.