USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Dec. 1: Anthony Smith turns things around
Anthony Smith put in exactly the type of performance he needed on Saturday night in the main event of UFC on ESPN 18.
Not only did Smith (34-16 MMA, 9-6 UFC) get a much-needed victory in his bout with Devin Clark, but he did so in a dominant manner. Smith put on a textbook display of groundwork in earning the first-round submission and snapping a two-fight losing streak.
The way the new USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings break down, though, Smith basically held his spot. Smith entered the fight ranked No. 10 at 205 pounds. Clark was unranked. And standing one spot ahead of Smith is Aleksandar Rakic, who earned a unanimous decision over Smith the previous time “Lionheart” stepped into the octagon.
And that’s about how it went for UFC on ESPN 18, which was a night of solid action but without much rankings implications. Miguel Baeza certainly underscored the idea he’s one to watch with a finish of Takashi Sato, but a welterweight ranking is still a bit off.
So with that, if you want to check where your favorite — or least favorite — fighter places in the new edition of the rankings, go to the drop-down menu above and select a division.
