Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

For the second consecutive Bellator MMA event, an American wrestler spoiled the show for an international fighter competing on his home soil.

Much to the dismay of those in attendance at SSE Arena in London — apparently including promotion head Scott Coker — Logan Storley relied on his wrestling to neutralize British knockout artist Michael Page to win a relatively dull split decision in the Bellator 281 headliner on Friday. Not only does Storley claim the interim welterweight crown, but he makes his debut in Sherdog’s 170-pound rankings at No. 13, one spot ahead of “MVP.” Excitement is nice, but victories, belts and rankings are even better for the four-time NCAA All-American.

Elsewhere, it was the women of Brazil making moves in the rankings at UFC on ESPN 36. Thanks to a grappling-heavy decision win over Angela Hill, Virna Jandiroba climbs past Michelle Waterson and into the 10th position in the strawweight poll, while Viviane Araujo’s clear-cut triumph against Andrea Lee propels her from 14th to No. 11 at flyweight.

At the top of the UFC on ESPN 36 bill, second-ranked Jan Blachowicz simply held serve after Aleksandar Rakic blew out his knee in the third round of their light heavyweight headliner. The victory allows Blachowicz to keep the 205-pound belt squarely in his sights, and he’ll be an interested observer when Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka square off at UFC 275.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

HEAVYWEIGHT
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
MIDDLEWEIGHT
WELTERWEIGHT
LIGHTWEIGHT
FEATHERWEIGHT
BANTAMWEIGHT
FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
WOMEN'S ATOMWEIGHT