UFC Rankings Shifted After Vegas 121 Results

Raul Rosas Jr. broke into the bantamweight Top 10, and Ailin Perez climbed to the No. 2 position.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

UFC Rankings Shifted After Vegas 121 Results

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The UFC updated its official rankings following the results of UFC Vegas 121, which took place in Las Vegas. Notable movements include Raul Rosas Jr. entering the Top 10 and Ailin Perez ascending to the No. 2 spot in the women's bantamweight division.

Why it matters

These adjustments reflect the immediate impact of event outcomes on athlete standing within the competitive landscape. As the organization prepares to phase out current media rankings, each fight carries significant weight for title contention.

Ailin Perez secured the No. 2 ranking in the 135-pound division following her decision victory. Additionally, Montel Jackson improved his standing by 3 positions, while Marlon Vera and Bryce Mitchell dropped 2 and 1 spots, respectively.

The players

Raul Rosas Jr.

He is a rising bantamweight fighter who achieved a Top 10 ranking following his recent knockout win.

Ailin Perez

She is a professional mixed martial artist who earned the No. 2 spot in the women's bantamweight rankings.

Raoni Barcelos

He is a bantamweight competitor who was hospitalized after his knockout loss at UFC Vegas 121.

Montel Jackson

He is a fighter who improved his divisional standing by three positions following his finish victory.

The details

Raul Rosas Jr. successfully moved into the bantamweight Top 10 after defeating Raoni Barcelos by knockout, a bout that resulted in Barcelos being hospitalized. Ailin Perez bolstered her resume by defeating Norma Dumont via decision, while Montel Jackson earned a victory over Ricky Simon by finish.

UFC Vegas 121 took place in Las Vegas on September 26-27, 2026.
The next set of rankings changes is anticipated following UFC 332 on October 3, 2026.
The organization intends to phase out the current official media rankings in the coming weeks.

Season Trajectory

The current reshuffling marks the final stage of the UFC's historical media-based ranking system before the organization transitions to a new protocol. These changes significantly alter the path to title contention for athletes as the league approaches the upcoming UFC 332 event.

The jump into the Top 10 by Raul Rosas Jr. necessitates a re-evaluation of his path toward a potential title eliminator bout. With Ailin Perez now at No. 2, she is positioned as a primary candidate for future championship opportunities within the 135-pound division.

The takeaway

The transition away from media-driven rankings suggests a broader strategic move toward centralized control over athlete perception. Fans should monitor the UFC 332 results to see how these updated, albeit temporary, rankings shift before the new system is implemented.

What happens next

The promotion is scheduled to host UFC 332 on October 3, 2026, in Salt Lake City, which is expected to trigger further adjustments to the division standings.