Owing to the superb promotional ability of Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White is name recognition a major factor. White has created a name brand machine that is the envy of nearly all major sports organizations. With that in mind, UFC betting will focus on several top fighters in various divisions for 2020. Namely, Daniel Cormier, Thiago Santos, Robert Whittaker, Tyron Woodley, and Tony Ferguson rank as the best in UFC. Additionally, Max Holloway, Marlon Moraes, and Joseph Benavidez will draw betting action. Women’s champions Germaine de Randamie, Jessica Andrade, and Katlyn Chookagian are further assets.
Irony of Ironies
To be exact the top four UFC fighters are all coming off losses. Each is still considered by the organization and gamblers to be top threats take championship belts in 2020. Such is the nature of the UFC. Parity and competitive balance have long been hallmarks of the sanctioning body.
Number One Heavyweight Daniel Cormier
At the onset of 2020, Daniel Cormier was the top-ranked UFC heavyweight. Cormier holds the distinction of holding the heavyweight and light heavyweight championships at the same time. He is the second of four fighters to hold two titles simultaneously. Specifically, Dana White considers Cormier to be the greatest UFC fighter of all time. Cormier has a career online wagering record of 22 wins, two losses and one no contest. The last time out was a TKO loss to Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight championship on August 17, 2019. A comeback is expected this year.
Number One Light Heavyweight Thiago Santos
Second to Cormier in name recognition is the top light heavyweight in the world. Thiago Santos has a career UFC Betting record of 21-7 but continues to garner respect. In like manner to Cormier, Santos is coming off a loss in his last bout. On July 6, 2019, Santos lost by split decision to Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight championship. The loss snapped a five-bout winning streak. Santos is the top-ranked light-heavyweight contender heading into 2020. He will get a championship shot this new year.
Number One Middleweight Robert Whittaker
New Zealand’s Robert Whittaker is a former middleweight champion that retains top ranking. In the same way as Cormier and Santos is Whittaker nursing defeat. On October 6, 2019, he lost the UFC middleweight championship to Isreal Adesanya by knockout. Adesanya won by second-round knockout to wrest the interim belt away from Whittaker. As a result of the setback, Whittaker’s nine bouts’ winning streak was snapped. He had won the interim middleweight title over Yoel Romero by unanimous decision on July 8, 2017. Whittaker’s record is 20 wins and five losses.
Number One Welterweight Tyron Woodley
Supplementing top rated UFC fighters coming off losses is Tyron Woodley. Woodley is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman on March 2, 2019. Hence Woodley lost the UFC welterweight championship. He had successfully defended his title in the four previous fights before that loss. Now Woodley has a record of 19 wins and four losses. He had not lost in the seven bouts before his defeat to Usman. As mentioned earlier top fighters such as Woodley will be getting shots at title belts for what promises to be an exhilarating 2020 schedule.