Chael Sonnen, popularly known as ‘The American Gangster’, is never one to shy away from controversy. Whether it’s his trash-talking, his bold predictions, or his unrelenting attitude, Sonnen always manages to make headlines. This time, however, he’s not targeting a fighter. Instead, he’s taking aim at the UFC’s ranking system.
Sonnen recently expressed his frustrations with the UFC’s decision to remove Jon Jones from their rankings following his retirement announcement. But what truly baffles him is the fact that Amanda Nunes, who also announced her retirement, is still listed in the rankings. This raises a very important question – who is truly gone and who may still return?
For those unfamiliar with the UFC’s ranking system, it is a list of the top 15 fighters in each weight class. These rankings are compiled by a panel of media members and are meant to reflect a fighter’s recent performance and potential to compete for a title. However, as Sonnen pointed out, the system seems to be flawed and inconsistent.
Firstly, let’s take a closer look at Jon Jones’ situation. The pound-for-pound king announced his retirement in June 2020, citing a dispute with the UFC over his contract. This came as a shock to many fans, as Jones was considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history and many believed he still had a lot to accomplish in the sport. The UFC promptly removed him from their rankings, as is their policy with retired fighters.
But when Amanda Nunes announced her retirement in December 2020, she was not removed from the rankings. This sparked confusion and speculation among fans and fighters, with many questioning the UFC’s decision-making process. Sonnen, in particular, has been vocal about this issue, stating that if Jones is being removed, then so should Nunes.
So what does this say about the UFC’s ranking system? It seems that the criteria for removing a fighter from the rankings is not consistent. If a fighter is truly retired, they should not be listed at all. This creates a misleading and inaccurate ranking system that does not truly reflect the current state of each weight class.
Moreover, this also raises doubts about the legitimacy of Nunes’ retirement. While the UFC has not officially confirmed her retirement, Nunes has not stepped into the octagon since her announcement. This leaves fans wondering if her retirement was a decision made in the heat of the moment or if she truly intends to never fight again.
Sonnen also pointed out the discrepancy in the testing pool. Fighters who have announced their retirement are no longer required to undergo drug testing. However, Nunes has not been removed from the pool, leading to speculation that she may be considering a comeback. This further adds to the confusion surrounding her retirement.
The UFC’s ranking system is meant to provide a clear picture of the top contenders in each weight class and helps in determining title fights. But with the inconsistencies and uncertainties surrounding retired fighters, it becomes difficult to trust these rankings.
In conclusion, the UFC needs to address this issue and provide a clearer policy for removing retired fighters from their rankings. This will not only improve the credibility of the ranking system but also provide clarity to fans and fighters. As for Jon Jones and Amanda Nunes, only time will tell if they truly intend to stay retired or if they will return to the octagon. Until then, the speculation and confusion will continue to surround their retirements.
