Two big events last week prompted changes in this week’s rankings update.<\/p>\n
First, the PFL Champions Series Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, saw a shocking conclusion to its main event middleweight title fight. Johnny Eblen, the incoming champion, was up on the scorecards heading into the fifth round. However, Costello Van Steenis pulled off a last-second rear-naked choke to snatch the title away.<\/p>\n
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Also on the card, Dakota Ditcheva turned in a dominant performance against Sumiko Inaba, bringing her into the top 5 in the women’s flyweight division and No. 13 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings.<\/p>\n
Then, in New Orleans at UFC 318, Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway turned in a captivating trilogy bout for the BMF title. In what was Poirier’s retirement fight, Holloway managed to earn the judges’ decision after going the full 25 minutes. Holloway successfully defended the BMF title, and now that he’s a full-time lightweight, settles in the No. 5 spot. Poirier, who hangs up the gloves, also gives up his spot in the rankings.<\/p>\n
Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports\/MMA Junkie rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n