Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Weili Zhang clearly has unfinished business in the UFC’s strawweight division.

After a “Fight of the Year” contender in her first meeting with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the Chinese standout left nothing to chance in the rematch, authoring a “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a spinning backfist finish of her Polish opponent in the second round of their UFC 275 clash. While the triumph doesn’t do anything for Zhang’s No. 3 ranking at 115 pounds, it does set up a future date with reigning champ Carla Esparza — so there is definitely room for advancement on the horizon.

Elsewhere, Jiri Prochazka ended Glover Teixeira’s 205-pound reign in the UFC 275 headliner thanks to a submission in the waning moments of Round 5. That makes 13 straight victories and 11 finishes in a row for “Denisa,” whose ability to hang tough through multiple moments of adversity paid off against an equally resilient champion. Prochazka takes over the No. 1 spot at light heavyweight, but the division remains as interesting as ever with the latest changing of the guard.

Meanwhile, Valentina Shevchenko escaped by the skin of her teeth against Taila Santos in the UFC 275 co-main event, winning via split decision in what was easily the most challenging defense to date during her flyweight title reign. “Bullet” is still the divisional No. 1, but Santos actually raised her profile in defeat moving past Lauren Murphy to No. 6.

In housekeeping news, 11th-ranked bantamweight Sijara Eubanks exits the poll due to inactivity, clearing the way for the entrance of Stephanie Egger to the 135-pound bubble in what remains a top-heavy division.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

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