José Aldo assumes leadership in the UFC rankings after Jon Jones’ suspension

Aldo (photo) is number one in the UFC rankings. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

The removal of the light heavyweight belt from Jon Jones, plus the indefinite suspension given to the fighter, caused important changes in the UFC's official rankings. Former weight-for-weight first place in the organization, “Bones” saw his name removed from the list, which crowned José Aldo as the new leader among all athletes regardless of weight division.

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This was the first time that Aldo occupied such a position, and the only Brazilian until then considered to have the best weight-for-pound weight in the world was Anderson Silva. Aldo has been featherweight champion since 2011, when the category was created in the UFC with the purchase of the WEC event, from which the Nova União fighter held the belt.

Now Demetrious Johnson, flyweight champion, is second in the rankings, just ahead of the middleweight belt holder, Chris Weidman, the third. Cain Velazquez, heavyweight champion, is fourth, immediately ahead of Ronda Rousey, holder of the women's bantamweight division title. The best Brazilian on the list is Rafael dos Anjos, lightweight champion, the seventh.

The official UFC ranking is updated weekly and is based on voting by specialized journalists from around the world.

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