The UFC rankings have always been a bit of a headache, even for the big boss Dana White. You know how it goes – every week, media members huddle up and decide who’s hot and who’s not in each weight class. But when Jon Jones got put in second place in the pound-for-pound rankings recently, White finally had enough.
The UFC boss has been ranting about the rankings system for a while now. But instead of just throwing another tantrum, the UFC actually did something pretty interesting. They’ve just signed a massive deal with IBM to bring artificial intelligence into the mix. It’s their first-ever AI partnership, and they’re calling it the “insights engine.”
The breaking point for Dana White wasn’t even about Jon Jones. It was Khalil Rountree’s situation that made White blow his top. Despite putting on a striking clinic, Rountree stayed stuck at No. 8 in the rankings.
The whole thing is set to kick off in early 2025, and it’s not just about fixing the rankings. IBM’s “Watsonx” platform will be crunching numbers and spitting out real-time data during fights. The UFC isn’t the first to jump on the tech train – their competitors at PFL already have something called the “SmartCage” with all sorts of fancy sensors.
Dana White Wants No Involvement From Himself Or The UFC In Ranking Fighters
Running the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion isn’t always smooth sailing, even for a tough cookie like White. The UFC boss has been pulling his hair out lately over the rankings system, but here’s the twist – he absolutely refuses to fix it himself.
White’s confession came with a dash of brutal honesty that fans have got to appreciate. He revealed that he cannot play favorites when it comes to fighters. So, he and the UFC will fully steer clear of the ranking system.
The current system relies on media members to vote on rankings. Dana White thinks that even the folks currently handling the rankings might be a bit biased, but he’s adamant that letting the UFC run would make things even worse. Now, with the AI deal in place, this is soon set to change.
