Yardbarker
x
UFC Rankings: Michael Venom Page Breaks Top 15, Sean O’Malley Passes Former Champs
© Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

There are a few new key players in the UFC.

Some of which you have seen over the years, rising through the ranks of the promotion. But, one name in particular made a massive splash in their Octagon entrance: Michael 'Venom' Page.

The UFC Welterweight division was put on notice as 'MVP' styled on #13 Kevin Holland, outstriking the veteran to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 299. 

The debuting Page earned the #13 ranking by his name and Holland fell to #14 in the rankings. That wasn't the only movement at 170lbs, however.

#11 Jack Della Maddalena upset former title challenger and #4 contender Gilbert Burns in their contest, pulling off a come-from-behind TKO in the final round. Maddalena's will to win moved him up 6 spots to #5 in the world. Burns trickles down to #6.

American Top Team's Dustin Poirier and Mateusz Gamrot defended their top spots in the UFC lightweight division. Poirier stays at #3 following a devastating KO of Benoit Saint-Denis and #6 Gamrot surpasses Michael Chandler at #5 with a win over former champ Rafael Dos Anjos.

In defeat, #12 Saint-Denis and #11 RDA switched places in the rankings.

There's a new contender in the mix at 135lbs and his name is Kyler Phillips. The unranked 'Matrix' debuted in the top 15 following a unanimous decision effort over Pedro Munhoz over the weekend. Phillips enters the rankings at #12 as the #13 Munhoz falls to the last seed at #15.

The UFC Bantamweight Championship still belongs to Sean O'Malley as the colorful champion defended his belt against #5 ranked Chito Vera by unanimous decision. O'Malley's masterful performance at UFC 299 moved him up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings at #6.

'Sugar' surpasses former UFC champions #7 Charles Oliveira and #8 Alexander Volkanovski, trailing behind fellow champ (and potential foe) #5 Ilia Topuria.

Last but not least, 'The Future' is bright for Maycee Barber. The rising contender entered the top 5 with a win over flyweight staple Katlyn Cerminara. Barber got the nod by unanimous decision, adding the #4 ranking to her name while Cerminara drops to #6.

Coming off six wins in a row, it's not much of a surprise that Barber also debuted in the women's pound-for-pound conversation at #15.

Check out the UFC rankings in full below. (via John Morgan)

View the 6 images of this gallery on the original article

As a reminder, the official UFC rankings are compiled by a voting panel of media members.

This article first appeared on FanNation MMA Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.