Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
Conor McGregor may have made a dramatic ascent up the UFC’s official pound for pound rankings, but he did so in spite of some rather strange voting from one of the Brazilian panelists.
PunditArena reported on Tuesday that McGregor had moved all the way to number three in the ratings, nine places above where he previously lay, following his stunning 13-second knockout win over Jose Aldo at UFC 194. This meant that he settled in just behind former light-heavyweight king Jon Jones, and flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who now occupies the top-spot.
Some would argue that having beaten the man, McGregor should be the man(Wooo!). This is a theory that MMAnytt.com writer, and panelist Christoffer Esping must espouse, as he elected to seat the Irishman atop the list. Others, however, seem to feel that one big win should not be enough to eclipse years of quality performances from Jones and Johnson.
Overall, number three seems like a fair slot in which to install “The Notorious” one.
What isn’t a fair slot, though, is number 15. That is where Brazilian MMA journalist Marcelo Russio of Canal Combate saw fit to place Conor. Even more puzzling is the fact that Russio had McGregor at number eleven prior to his demolition of the long-reigning champion.
So in Russio’s eyes, McGregor’s win was good enough to earn him a drop of four places.
To make matters even more confusing, and infuriating, Russio only dropped his countryman, Aldo, down one spot – leaving him at number two.
Marcelo Russio, UFC rankings panelist, dropped McGregor 4 spots after beating Aldo. That’ll show him! pic.twitter.com/njhiOEjwDr
— Jeremy Botter (@jeremybotter) December 16, 2015
When Russio was contacted by journalist Jai Bednall, who wrote a piece on this issue for Fox Sports, and asked to explain his choices, the Brazilian claimed that his decision “had nothing to do with the (Aldo) fight itself”.
@jaibednall There's no p4p division. It's hypothetical judgement. I think Edgar and Luke are better than Conor, who's a great fighter.
— Marcelo Russio (@MarceloRussio) December 15, 2015
“There is no patriotism in that”, added Russio.
Forgive us if we’re not convinced.
