Former UFC Champion Re-Signs, Heavyweights Added To UFC 181, Latest Rankings

By Wrestling Inc. Staff

- The official UFC rankings have been updated following the conclusion of UFC Fight Night 50, and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza was the big winner. Souza moved past both Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida into the No. 2 spot behind only champion Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva.

Machida dropped a pair of spots to fourth, while Belfort is now third. Belfort, though, is still set to face Weidman for the title in December at UFC 181.

The heavyweight division saw several fighters move around, including the debut of Ben Rothwell. After finishing Alistair Overeem, Rothwell moved into the rankings at No. 9. Eddie Alvarez, a former Bellator champion, also made his first appearance at No. 14 at lightweight.

- UFC 181 has picked up a heavyweight battle, as Travis Browne and Brendan Schaub try avenge recent losses. The two will collide December 6 as part of an under card to two UFC championship matches.

Browne (16-2-1) suffered a decision loss to current No. 1 contender Fabricio Werdum earlier this year, snapping his three-fight win streak. Schaub (10-4) dropped a decision to Andrei Arlovski. The former Ultimate Fighter runner-up had won two straight.

The event is set to feature Chris Weidman-Vitor Belfort for the middleweight strap and Anthony Pettis-Gilbert Melendez for the lightweight title.

- Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will face Jimi Manuwa later this year in Brazil, and now, he has a fight contract extension to fulfill. Rua announced on social media recently that he has agreed to a new deal with the UFC.

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