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Dana White is on a mission to reshape UFC rankings, and he’s gone to great lengths to explore new solutions, even reaching out to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, White voiced his dissatisfaction with the current ranking system, which relies on polling a select group of media representatives. This method, in place since 2013, has come under increased scrutiny from White, who cited it as unfit for reflecting fighter skill and momentum.
White didn’t reveal specific alternatives, but he did hint at potential changes using AI-based technology.
“I could go on and on and on but I won’t,” he said. “We literally had meetings this week to work on it. I actually talked to Mark Zuckerberg, too, about AI, so yeah. I’m totally going to fix the rankings. We’re going to make a lot of strong moves here coming into 2025.”
While details remain scarce, White's reference to Zuckerberg and AI suggests that technology-driven solutions could lead to a more objective system.
The UFC president has openly criticized the current rankings on several occasions. Among his grievances were Renato Moicano’s stagnant position after his win over Benoit Saint-Denis, the minimal impact of Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree, and Max Holloway’s placement below Justin Gaethje, despite Holloway’s recent performance. These discrepancies, White argued, undermine the integrity of fighter rankings and the sport’s competitive landscape.
With the aim of establishing a more data-driven ranking system, White mentioned he’s exploring partnerships with various groups. While Zuckerberg is the first collaborator he’s publicly acknowledged, White’s commitment to fixing the rankings suggests further meetings and potential collaborations are in the pipeline.
As 2025 approaches, White’s vision to “fix the rankings” appears to be gaining momentum, and his consultation with Zuckerberg could mark the beginning of a tech-oriented transformation for the UFC.
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