The July women’s rankings, now available on http://womensrankings.com/, have been compiled. Some clarification: The decision against Brotherton being marginal is slightly lowering her numbers. Scratching the door to a #10 position would be Vanessa Porto (who has dropped off due to quality of opponents), as well as Sara McMann (who is about a win away) and Kaitlin Young (who we felt earned a draw in her fight against #8 ranked Julie Kedzie.) All are about a win away from ranking status (depending on several other factors.)
Mission Statement
The new Women’s MMA Rankings are original and the first of their kind. Basic panel member rankings and/or computer program-based rankings alone are not only outdated but also far too limited. There are multiple problems with computer rankings in that they do not account for subtle nuances which only the human eye and mind can process and assimilate. They also do not consider judging or refereeing discrepancies; things like impact of strikes, kicks, submission attempts or how well each of those aspects are defended. These are all integral factors in deciding who wins or loses in any fight, how well they executed or didn’t and therefore how that translates into properly ranking each fighter based not only on whether they won or lost but on their overall performance.
This is the basis for the formation of the new rankings system, combining ALL aspects to formulate the most complete and accurate ranking process possible. It utilizes the computer database process for that limited but important aspect of compiling unbiased data, but then also incorporates the necessary human aspects, implementing full replay and review in many cases where there’s controversy, along with also factoring in the “people’s” consensus, due to the limitations inherent in small panel ranking systems: that they are far too easily susceptible to biases and/or influenced by fighters, managers, promoters, sponsors, etc.
The current judging process and protocols are also both highly limited and outdated. Judges and referees are not privy to replay or review. They have limited vision of various angles and have to make instantaneous calls in the heat of the action, so even the most knowledgeable are prone to make many mistakes. But the rankings are not bound by those same limitations and should not just “go along” with whatever bad judging or refereeing calls happen to be made because the current system is faulty with no replay/review.
It is imperative that whoever rightfully won a fight gets rewarded properly, and that the rules and procedures (just like everything else) both evolve and improve in order for the sport to continue growing in the right direction. How many times have we seen bad refereeing or judging calls taint entire events, and how many more times do we need to see it ruining great fights and tournaments? It’s a very solvable problem as far as rankings are concerned, so there is no reason to placate to poor officiating. Taking the “bad calls” element out of rankings in the sport is a huge improvement.
Unlike previous outdated ranking systems, the new WMMA Rankings are not bound by inferior refereeing/judging standards or any faulty point system limitations. They are (and should be) a separate entity from the state athletic commissions and, unlike the commissions, do have the ability to properly review controversial fights. That is a valuable tool which should be utilized, not only because it helps keeps the checks and balances in order and a lid on corruption, but because it will ideally encourage the commissions to make those improvements and start implementing things like replay and review into the system. Simply “going along” with a faulty process doesn’t provide any real impetus to change or improvement, and any rankings which acknowledge those missed calls or decisions are as faulty as the calls themselves.
By taking ALL of these factors into account, a new hybrid ranking system was developed which can now evolve and grow with the sport.
Women’s MMA Rankings “Fighter Computation Number” Explication
The new Fighter Computation Number (FCN) system is not only a compu-stat opponent rating, but also factors in multiple aspects such as performance, how dominant the victories were over any given opponents, comparison to common opponents of other fighters within the division, how recent the wins or losses were, how active fighters have been and the FCN level of the opponents. They also, of course, discount clearly blatant missed judging/refereeing calls or incidental injuries. Then, going even beyond the Compu-stat numbers, we also factor-in more subtle nuances and the prominence of each fight; i.e., a title fight at an elite level carries more weight than a lower or mid level fight.
So unlike any other previous rankings in any fight sport (male or female), we utilize a combination of ALL methods; BOTH computer statistical AND human analysis including ALL pertinent information and factors, in addition to assuring that faulty processes or athletic commissions do not mandate or influence the rankings. No rankings can ever be 100% accurate. There will always be at least a minimal amount of subjectivity involved, but we now have the most comprehensive and inclusive ranking system developed to date, and we will continue striving towards improving the current system to the highest degree possible.
Women’s MMA Rankings Rules and Guidelines
Fighters need to have been active within 12 months (per division) in order to qualify for ranking status.
Catchweight fights are counted towards the higher weight class, but do not carry the same magnitude as legitimate divisional fights.
Fighters under suspension will lose their ranking status until the suspension is lifted and/or fines are paid in full.
For fighters or champions to retain their current ranking status in a given division, they must remain active and fight similar level opponents or top contenders in that same division within a reasonable time frame.
Changing divisions: If a fighter drops or moves up a division, their record may carry over based on their on performance against a quality opponent. Any fighter changing divisions must perform against a quality opponent in that division to be eligible for ranking status in that new division.
Any prospective committee members must be evaluated on their knowledge of women’s mixed martial arts and approved by all current members.
Members of any other rankings committee are not eligible for consideration as members of the ranking committee at this time. This may be reconsidered as long as there are no conflicts of interest or biases involved.
Additional guidelines may be added.
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