Dana White and Mark Zuckerberg Discussed Overhauling UFC Ranking System
The UFC is considering a significant change to its rankings system, potentially involving artificial intelligence, with the guidance of Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. UFC President Dana White expressed his frustration with the current ranking process, which has relied on a select group of media outlets since 2013. He stated he is actively seeking a solution to replace what he views as an ineffective system. White recently had meetings and discussions with Zuckerberg on the use of AI to improve the rankings, aiming for implementation in 2025.
The existing ranking system has faced criticism for various reasons, such as inconsistencies following specific match outcomes. White hinted that an algorithm-based approach could be the future of UFC rankings, emphasizing that it would account for fight activity, the quality of opponents, and how victories are achieved. An open-source AI ranking system known as Fight Minds has already been developed, which focuses on data-driven results for ranking fighters.
The UFC rankings could be in for a major overhaul, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg might be a part of it.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed in a recent interview that he reached out to Zuckerberg because he wants to explore the concept of using artificial intelligence for the rankings, according to ESPN.
“I could go on and on and on but I won’t,” White said.
Street cred continues to rise 😊💪🏼 https://t.co/6hoDdUGI2p
— Jeff Richards (@jrichlive) October 26, 2024
“We literally had meetings this week to work on it. I actually talked to Mark Zuckerberg, too, about AI, so yeah. I’m totally going to fix the rankings. We’re going to make a lot of strong moves here coming into 2025,” White explained.
Since 2013, the UFC’s rankings have been determined by a pre-selected group of media outlets.
White has said he is fed up with that system.
“I just can’t handle incompetence,” White said. “I just can’t take it anymore. It’s driving me crazy
“I can’t let people that I don’t believe know what the f*** that they’re talking about deal with the rankings anymore.
“I just can’t do it. I have to figure out a solution.”
Just a few days after Dana White said he was going to remove the “morons” from the UFC rankings panel, Max Holloway and Khalil Rountree suddenly moved up in the rankings 😅
🎥 @RobbieBarstool / @danawhite #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/k2SVzEzsSF
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 22, 2024
White has signaled some kind of algorithm-based ranking might be instituted in his search for an alternative to the current system.
According to MMA Junkie, the existing ratings system has come under fire after Renato Moicano did not advance after defeating Benoit Saint Denis, the lack of impact that Alex Pereira versus Khalil Rountree’s had, and Max Holloway being ranked below Justin Gaethje.
Dana White talked to Mark Zuckerberg about using AI for the NEW system for UFC Rankings 😱
🎤 @AdamCatterall / @danawhite #UFC308 | Oct 26, 5PM | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ https://t.co/uXQAMHNTBd pic.twitter.com/Es8I45Exdf
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 24, 2024
An AI rankings panel has been produced by Fight Minds, an open-source project on GitHub, according to Sports Illustrated.
“Activity is highly valued,” algorithm programmer Chris Genachte said.
📢 𝐔𝐅𝐂 𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐀-𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃
Guys, we’ve done it ! Our UFC Ranking generated by an algorithm that exclusively looks at data.
You’ll find all the rankings here:https://t.co/EoH1DtMAVc pic.twitter.com/p62lzYQiBn
— FightMinds (@FightMinds) October 23, 2024
“Points are awarded for winning. The importance of whom you defeat, as well as how you win are also factors,” he explained.
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