Which Ranked Fighters Are Competing This Weekend? UFC on ESPN 3 Rankings Tracker
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In the main event, Francis Ngannou collides with Junior dos Santos in a pivotal heavyweight encounter. Ngannou (13-3) looks like his old self again following recent knockouts of Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez. A win over dos Santos (21-5) would make it three straight wins and virtually guarantee “The Predator” of another title shot. After all, he is rated as the fourth-best heavyweight in the world by Sherdog, the third-best according to ESPN, and is ranked No. 2 in the UFC rankings.
Dos Santos, meanwhile, is also on a winning run with three straight wins including finishes over Tai Tuivasa and Derrick Lewis. Another win would also likely guarantee “Cigano” of a title shot as he continues to remain a huge threat in the division even at 35 years of age and given his mileage in the sport. The Brazilian is currently rated as the third-best heavyweight in the world by Sherdog, the fifth-best as per ESPN, and is No. 3 in the UFC rankings.
A pivotal flyweight encounter is also on the cards as Jussier Formiga takes on Joseph Benavidez in a rematch in the co-main event. Formiga (23-5) is on a four-fight winning streak, having most recently outpointed the previously undefeated Deiveson Figueiredo. A win over a perennial contender in Benavidez (27-5) would not only earn him revenge following his first defeat to him, but also put him next in line for another rematch against current 125-pound king Henry Cejudo. Da Silva is currently regarded as the fourth-best flyweight in the world by Sherdog and ESPN, while he is No. 1 in the UFC rankings.
The same applies for Benavidez who has won eight of his last nine fights and is currently on a two-fight winning streak. The American, however, notably has a win over Cejudo, and should he defeat Formiga a second time, will undoubtedly have earned another crack at the title now that Demetrious Johnson no longer reigns over the division. The only question is if Cejudo will defend the flyweight title next rather than his newly-won bantamweight crown. Benavidez is rated as the third-best flyweight in the world by Sherdog and ESPN but is curiously ranked No. 2 in the UFC rankings.
Lastly, welterweights are in action as former title challenger Demian Maia meets Anthony Rocco Martin. Following three consecutive defeats, Maia (26-9) got back to winning ways with a first-round submission win over Lyman Good earlier this year. He will now look to make it two wins in a row and climb back up the rankings. The Brazilian has dropped out of Sherdog and ESPN’s Top 10 but is ranked No. 12 in the UFC rankings.
Meanwhile, Martin (16-4) is on a four-fight winning streak and is a winner of seven of his last eight fights. His most recent win was a unanimous decision victory over Sergio Moraes earlier this year. A black belt in jiu-jitsu, the American could look to test his skills on the ground against arguably the best grappler in the promotion. A win would not only be the biggest of his career but could also insert himself into the top 15 of the UFC rankings for the first time.
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