Fans often hear the criticism that MMA isn’t always a true sport but rather a carnival of hype and attraction. To some extent, that rings true, especially when one considers how UFC matchmakers like Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard pair fighters from very different spots in the rankings. Adding to the confusion is the often-unexplained nature of the official rankings themselves. Recently, former two-time UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz weighed in on the issue, making a bold claim about how the system really works.
Dominick Cruz Claims UFC Matchmaking Depends on Contract Value and Not Actual Performance
In a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast, former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz gave his take on how UFC rankings and matchmaking really work.