Rankings Tracker: UFC on ESPN 55

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday takes a brief pause from its festivity-oriented spectacles with UFC on ESPN 55, as it goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card may be lacking in terms of ranked names but could make up for those deficiencies with entertaining matches that have an impact on the organization’s divisional landscape. On top of that, a handful of skilled athletes are also fighting for a significant climb in the Sherdog Rankings.

The premier draw of the card lies in the main event, which features ranked flyweights Matheus Nicolau and Alex Perez crossing swords in an attempt to bolster their case toward title contention. Nicolau returns to action following a year-long hiatus that commenced with a knockout loss to Brandon Royval. This loss signaled the end of a six-fight winning streak, four of which had been secured in his second stint in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Holding his fort in the No. 5 spot on the divisional ladder, the Brazilian has compiled a 7-2 record across nine appearances inside the Octagon.

Meanwhile, Perez’s stature has diminished considering his previous reputation of explosive ways that propelled him into the mix of ranked contenders. The American has been enduring less than favorable outcomes with three consecutive losses, having been submitted twice. This pairing marks a critical juncture for both fighters with what is at stake and a possible championship opportunity somewhere down the line. When it comes to their spot on the Sherdog flyweight ladder, Nicolau occupies the No. 8 spot while Perez is ranked at No. 12. One of them figures to improve their stature at the expense of the other.