UFC President Dana White recently shared with TNT Sports that he has engaged in discussions with Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, regarding the potential application of artificial intelligence to enhance the organization’s ranking system, which has faced criticism.
White stated during the interview on Thursday, “I’m totally going to fix the rankings. We’re going to make a lot of strong moves here coming into 2025.” This statement reflects his commitment to revising a system that he has previously expressed dissatisfaction with.
Since its inception in 2013, the current ranking system has been a point of contention for White. The rankings are determined by compiling information from an array of sources that cover UFC events, rather than relying solely on a singular standard.
Looking ahead, one of the organization’s most anticipated events is the featherweight championship bout between current titleholder Ilia Topuria and the second-ranked contender Max Holloway, scheduled for UFC 308 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
As the UFC prepares for this matchup, the proposed improvements to the ranking system could have significant implications for how fighters are evaluated and ranked going forward. White’s initiative suggests a forward-thinking approach to enhance the integrity and clarity of the rankings, aiming to foster a better understanding among fans and competitors alike.