The Scrap's Inaugural Bellator Rankings

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For the first time in its history, Bellator will be providing fans with its very own set of rankings, a feature they should have adopted years ago. Despite behind on the times, offering out a set of rankings allows some transparency for the competing athletes and spectators at home, leaving no doubt as to where particular fighters sit within their respective divisions.

Along with Bellator set to unveil their official rankings, we here at The Scrap are also weighing in, offering our list of Bellator’s top 11 fighters per weight class.

Without further ado, here are The Scrap’s inaugural Bellator rankings:

Women’s Flyweight (125 pounds)

C. Juliana Velasquez (11-0-0)

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-1-0)
Alejandra Lara (9-3-0)
Veta Arteaga (5-4-0)
Denise Kielholtz (6-2-0)
Kate Jackson (11-5-1)
Liz Carmouche (14-7-0)
Bruna Ellen (5-4-0)
Kana Watanabe (9-0-1)
Mandy Bohm (7-0-0)
DeAnna Bennett (10-7-1)

Bantamweight (135 pounds)

C. Juan Archuleta (26-2-0)

Sergio Pettis (20-5-0)
Patchy Mix (13-1-0)
Leandro Higo (20-5-0)
Raufeon Stots (15-1-0)
Josh Hill (20-3-0)
James Gallagher (11-1-0)
Magomed Magomedov (17-1-0)
Matheus Mattos (12-2-1)
Frans Mlambo (9-5-0)
Cass Bell (5-1-0)

Women’s Featherweight (145 pounds)

C. Cris Cyborg (23-2-1)

Julia Budd (14-3-0)
Arlene Blencowe (13-8-0)
Leslie Smith (13-8-1)
Sinead Kavanagh (7-4-0)
Olga Rubin (6-2-0)
Amanda Bell (7-7-0)
Janay Harding (6-4-0)
Jessica Miele (9-2-0)
Katharina Lehner (7-3-0)
Talita Nogueira (7-2-0)

Top Contender: Julia Budd

Julia Budd was loving life, ruling over Bellator’s featherweight division with relative ease while adding to her 11-fight win streak. But all of that changed in 2020 when Cris Cyborg, the division’s greatest ever combatant, entered the picture. In a fight to determine the promotion’s very best 145-pounder, it was Cyborg that reigned supreme in her debut, dropping Budd in the fourth round en route to a TKO victory. This win understandably stung the former champion, who isn’t one for making excuses.

Rather than take some well-deserved time away, Budd would return to the gym and go back to the drawing board, plotting a road to redemption. This started in August of last year – just shy of seven months since her loss to Cyborg – where she dominated Jessica Miele to earn a unanimous decision. Now back in the win column, Julia Budd will be looking to add another win to her resume before asking for her rematch.

Featherweight (145 pounds)

C. Patricio Pitbull (31-4-0)

AJ McKee (17-0-0)
Emmanuel Sanchez (20-4-0)
Darrion Caldwell (15-4-0)
Daniel Weichel (40-12-0)
Henry Corrales (18-5-0)
Adam Borics (16-1-0)
Pedro Carvalho (11-4-0)
Aaron Pico (7-3-0)
Jay-Jay Wilson (6-0-0)
Robert Whiteford (16-4-0)

Lightweight (155 pounds)

C. Patricio Pitbull (31-4-0)

Brent Primus (10-1-0)
Benson Henderson (28-10-0)
Sidney Outlaw (15-4-0)
Goiti Yamauchi (25-4-0)
Myles Jury (19-5-0)
Keoni Diggs (9-0-0)
Patricky Pitbull (23-9-0)
Adam Piccolotti (12-4-0)
Soren Bak (14-1-0)
Chris Duncan (7-0-0)

Hot Prospect: Chris Duncan

Fighting out of Stirling, Scotland, Lightweight prospect Chris Duncan has made a splash since his 2019 debut, racking up three wins, all of which coming by knockout. In fact, Duncan has finished each of his pro fights by stoppage and is yet to taste the third round, making him an exciting prospect to watch for the future.

After running through Iamik Furtado in October, it was evident that “The Problem” is due a step up in competition, and what better way to test the youngster’s tools than a date with #8 ranked Adam Piccolotti. Piccolotti has a wealth of experience under the Bellator banner, facing names such as Benson Henderson, Sidney Outlaw, and Goiti Yamauchi; if Duncan was able to put away the American contender, he would deservingly move up the rankings and take one step closer to the lightweight strap. This is a fight I believe Bellator should book in 2021, as it’ll test the quality of both men and potentially reshape the divisionsal landscape.

Welterweight (170 pounds)

C. Douglas Lima (32-8-0)

Michael Page (18-1-0)
Lorenz Larkin (22-7-1)
Neiman Gracie (10-1-0)
Yaroslav Amasov (25-0-0)
Paul Daley (42-17-2)
Ross Houston (8-1-1)
Logan Storely (11-1-0)
Jason Jackson (13-4-0)
Sabah Homasi (15-8-0)
Oliver Enkamp (10-2-0)

Middleweight (185 pounds)

C. Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)

John Salter (18-4-1)
Costello Van Steenis (13-2-0)
Fabian Edwards (9-1-0)
Mike Shipman (13-2-0)
Austin Vanderford (10-0-0)
Anatoly Tonov (29-3-0)
Norbet Novenyi Jr. (5-0-0)
Johnny Eblen (7-0-0)
Pietro Penini (9-2-1)
Charlie Ward (9-4-1)

Hot Prospect: Norbet Novenyi Jr.

Ranked #7 at just 21 years of age, middleweight’s Norbet Novenyi Jr. has compiled a record of 5-0 since his professional debut three years ago, finishing four of his opponents by way of submission. While the level of competition faced hasn’t been extraordinary, this writer considers Norbert as one to watch for the future.

On the feet, Novenyi likes to adopt a karate-based stance, bouncing in and out of range in order to land strikes. This style has carried him to some success, however, these skills are not refined enough to hang with the division’s upper echelon; a comfortable striker such as Costello Van Steenis would be a terrible matchup at this stage of his career. An area Novenyi usually has an advantage in is the grappling department, as his ability to slap on an arm-triangle choke from the top or triangle off his back are good.

In 2021, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Novenyi stood across from Johnny Eblen in a battle of the undefeated. This fight would test his standup abilities while gifting him more cage time; experience is key.

Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

C. Vadim Nemkov (12-2-0)

Phil Davis (22-5-1)
Ryan Bader (27-6-1)
Lyoto Machida (26-10-0)
Liam McGeary (13-4-0)
Corey Anderson (14-5-0)
Julius Anglickas (9-1-0)
Alex Polizzi (7-1-0)
Melvin Manhoef (32-15-1-2)
Grant Neal (5-0-0)
Alessio Sakara (20-13-2)

Contender on the Rise: Corey Anderson

Former UFC stablemate Corey “Overtime” Anderson made the decision to sign with Bellator last Summer following the completion of his longtime contract, and just months later, he’d be making his promotional debut. Facing combat sports veteran Melvin Manhoef, Anderson asserted his superior grappling en route to a second-round ground and pound finish. Now 1-0 in the Bellator cage, “Overtime” will be seeking to claim glory in the upcoming light-heavyweight Grand Prix; new additions Anthony Johnson and Yoel Romero would certainly make for exciting matchups.

Heavyweight (265 pounds)

C. Ryan Bader (27-6-1)

Timothy Johnson (15-6-0)
Chieck Kongo (30-11-2)
Fedor Emelianenko (39-6-0)
Vitaly Minakov (22-1-0)
Matt Mitrione (13-8-0)
Tyrell Fortune (9-1-1)
Valentin Moldavsky (10-1-0)
Linton Vassell (21-8-0)
Javy Ayala (11-8-0)
Steven Mowry (8-0-0)

Top Contender: Timothy Johnson

Following his exit from the UFC in 2018, 35-year-old heavy-hitter Timothy Johnson inked a multi-fight deal with Bellator. However, results took some time to appear. In his first two appearances, Johnson was flattened by the hands of Cheick Kongo and Vitaly Minakov, respectively, leading many to question his standings within the organization. Yet just as he was on the brink of a three-fight skid, Johnson claimed a first-round finish of up and comer Tyrell Fortune. Not wanting to stop there, the American would go on to defeat Matt Mitrione and avenge his loss to Cheick Kongo, capping off a superb 2020 campaign. As things currently stand, heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is scheduled to compete in the upcoming light-heavyweight Grand Prix, meaning Timothy Johnson could potentially be waiting over a year for his title shot. And at 35 years of age, time isn’t exactly on his side – in steps Fedor Emelianenko.

For Johnson, the chance of adding a legend such as Emelianenko to his resume and round his win streak to four should be all the persuasion needed to sign on the dotted line. A contest like this one would draw plenty of attention and establish heavyweights true number one contender.

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The Scrap

The Scrap is a combat sports news hub dedicated to bringing you creative MMA, Pro Wrestling, Bare Knuckle, and Boxing content. We choose highlight the indie and regional scenes as passionately as the big leagues. Aside from exclusives on our Patreon account, we also provide video content on our YouTube channel ranging from interviews to highlighting current events.

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