“This is disrespectful” – Alexandre Pantoja & fans react after Dana White’s huge update to the P4P rankings after UFC 310

When the UFC released its latest men’s pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings, one name seemed to stand out for all the wrong reasons, Alexandre Pantoja. Despite being the reigning flyweight champion and a dominant force in his division, Pantoja was ranked #9 (up from #11) on the list. And just like that, a silent dispute was born.

For years, fans have voiced their frustrations with the UFC rankings, questioning the criteria and consistency behind the numbers. Even UFC CEO Dana White has expressed displeasure with how rankings are determined, once calling the process problematic and stating, “I have to get rid of these clowns!”, with reference to the cooperation of MMA media houses in determining the locations. White has enlisted the help of his billionaire heir Mark Zuckerberg to explore the possibility of using AI to refine the ranking system.

AI debates can wait, but let’s get back to the real question: how could someone with such an impressive record be so underrated? Pantoja’s answer? A single emoji: . Short, sharp, full of meaning, it was all the fuel his fans needed to start a firestorm online.

Alexandre Pantoja’s latest performance at UFC 310 vs Kai Asakura was incredibly spectacular. In that fight, Pantoja delivered a decisive victory and showed his dominance with a second-round submission victory via RNC, further cementing his reputation as one of the best in the flyweight division. The win highlighted his undeniable ability and left fans even more confused by his low ranking.

“You wiped out the whole division,” fans react to Alexandre Pantoja’s unfair ranking

The UFC rankings controversy has been a topic that has often overshadowed the fights and fight cards that the organization presents. This current surrounding ‘The Cannibal’ ignites a wave of reactions from fans highlighting their frustration. “It’s disrespectful to the champ… @UFC is this a joke with Pantoja?” exclaimed one fan. Another fan added, “Man, they keep respecting you … you should be in the top 5 easily.” The conversation has since sparked a wider debate, are fighters in the flyweight division consistently overlooked?

“You’ve wiped out the entire division. You’re easily top 3 in my book“one fan wrote passionately. Another pointed out, “He is just behind the most active title defenses and is somehow not in the top 5 P4P.” The comments section continued to flow with criticism directed at the UFC.

“Bridge gets robbed, easily top 5”, declared another follower. “The UFC clearly didn’t care about the (flyweight) division“lamented one frustrated fan. “Pantoja should be placed either 5 or 6 now, not 9.“ These comments reflect a broader sentiment, the flyweight division’s relative lack of marketability should not overshadow the undeniable talent of its champion.

“You should be up in that shit, but unfortunately your department only has one big name and that’s you“another fan pointed out, reflecting the harsh reality that flyweight fighters face. Critics of the UFC rankings argue that marketability often takes precedence over merit, leaving fighters like the 34-year-old in the shadows.

From disregarding dominant champions to overhyping popular fighters, fans believe that subjective factors weigh heavily in ranking decisions. “Can’t even leave the rankings to the judges“remarked one fan sarcastically, referring to the lopsided decision where Ciryl Gane ‘hit’ Alexander Volkov at the UFC 310 main card heavyweight showdown. While the flyweight champion remains characteristically reserved, his understated emoji speaks volumes. For fans, it’s a reminder that their champion deserves better. And perhaps, as more voices join the call, the UFC will be forced to reevaluate not only Alexandre Pantoja’s position, but the system that put him there.

What do you think? Should Pantoja’s ranking be higher? Is the flyweight division being overlooked, or is this just a case of rankings reflecting the wider problem in the MMA landscape? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!