With so many fighters on its roster and payroll, it may be the next step of growth for the UFC to define its own ranking system. Magazines, websites, and a plethora of other media outlets have ranking systems, but the UFC does not have any of their own.

The UFC wants to continue growing, and Dana White has expressed his views toward making it the biggest sport in the world (and that it IS a sport); but in order to do that, the integrity of the sport must be kept intact. Venturing into the pro wrestling-esque way of conducting business could be extremely hurtful to the sport.

Competition has driven human beings since the dawn of time, and fairness is the underlying principle of it. This is why when steroid use or any performance-enhancing drug is used, the athlete who was using them is scrutinized and penalized. With the UFC brass making the decisions at the end of the day for who gets opportunities or not, the sport is not represented well.

If the UFC were to devote a group of their workforce to create and maintain a ranking system, this would help the problem. It would not solve it, but it would give fans a definitive list of who is next in line. The problem after that is the criteria of what helps you rise or jump over others. It would become much more about statistical data, rather than fan demand or financial gain. On the other hand, with this system, Jon Fitch would have had a title shot a while ago, but not many complained about it because he wasn’t exciting to watch.In order to keep competition fair and alive in the UFC, the UFC must conduct itself as a SPORT, and less like a business.

Whether the UFC brass will take that approach is yet to be seen, and maybe the next people to take the helm will take it in a whole different direction.