MMA rankings report: Curtis Blaydes, Michael Chiesa start their climbs – but how high?

Michael Chiesa and Curtis Blaydes were a solid one-two punch atop the UFC’s first visit to Raleigh, N.C.

Chiesa was a decent underdog against former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in their welterweight fight. Blaydes was a slight favorite against former heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos in the headliner.

Both Brazilian ex-champs fell in their fights, which means they had to fall in the rankings, as well. But the victors are in tough situations in terms of how high they can climb in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

Chiesa still is relatively new to the welterweight division, but is 3-0 since his arrival. His wins are over Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez and dos Anjos – solid veterans, to be certain, but veterans clearly on slides down at the backends of their careers.

Ahead of Blaydes at heavyweight are champ Stipe Miocic and former champ Daniel Cormier, who presumably is waiting for a rematch trilogy fight. Plus, there’s Francis Ngannou, who has two wins over Blaydes – and is the only one to have beaten the Chicagoan.

To hear about this week’s moves, MMA Junkie’s “Gorgeous” George and John Morgan walk you through things in the video above.