The initial rankings for Bellator MMA’s roster have been released. Meaning that for the first time, Bellator fighters (those officially ranked) have a number next to their name.
A little over a month ago, the promotion announced their 15 member media panel (including one member from Cageside Press) to vote on a top 10 for each division, plus P4P (pound-for-pound) for Men’s and Women’s rankings.
Monday, the results came in. At the top of the Men’s P4P rankings you’ll find little surprise, as there sits the man headlining Bellator’s return this coming weekend, Patricio Pitbull. Pitbull is the current Featherweight and Lightweight Bellator champion, and faces Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 255. Following Pitbull is the newly crowned Vadim Nemkov (LHW Champion) and Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi.
For the Women’s P4P rankings, Cris Cyborg was voted to the top, unsurprisingly, as she reigns over the Featherweight division. Newly crowned flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez followed Cyborg at number 2.
The media panelists were giving guidelines by Bellator to follow, including fighters needing to be under contract, active for a certain period, and having debuted in Bellator to be ranked. All guidelines were released by Bellator to the public earlier this year.
Following each Bellator card the media panelists will be given 48 hours to update their rankings accordingly.
The full list of rankings for Bellator MMA can be found here.
