Dana White reached out to a friend in a high place to address his latest grievance.

In recent weeks, White has made it no secret that he’s not happy with the current UFC rankings system, which is voted on by members of the media (though several of the outlets involved are obscure or appear to have been inactive for years). His aggravation peaked following Khalil Rountree’s valiant loss at UFC 307 to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, who knocked out Rountree in the fourth round after trailing on the scorecards.

White told TNT Sports that he and his team have gone as far as to reach out to Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for advice.

“We literally had meetings this week to work on it,” White said. “I actually talked to Mark Zuckerberg, too, about AI. So I’m totally going to fix the rankings. We’re going to make a lot of strong moves here coming in to ‘25.”

It’s not clear whether White plans to use AI to completely replace the current rankings panel, or use some mixture of human voting and AI-generated input, to create a new system.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, following White’s most recent rankings rant, two fighter evaluations that he was most displeased with were changed in the latest update (h/t Eurosport).

White continued to use Rountree and Holloway as his most frustrating examples when it comes to the rankings.

“We’re working on it right now,” White said. “We’ve literally been working on it all last week and I will have some answers on that soon, but the rankings system drives me crazy. From the pound-for-pound to each division, there’s huge mistakes.

“First of all, Khalil Rountree, let’s start there. He fights the fight that he fought, if you look at Alex Pereira’s destroyed everybody that he’s faced. Going into the fourth round, Khalil was ahead on the scorecards and then he gets beat and he stays at No. 8. I’m not saying he should be in the top 3 or whatever, but he should definitely move up, for me. He might not be 2 or 3, but he’s definitely not 8.”

“Then you look at Max Holloway,” White added. “It just changed this last Tuesday, but he knocked out—If you really think about it, he beat Justin Gaethje twice that night. He beat him on the scorecards and he knocked him out with one second left. How is he ranked 13 or something [at lightweight]? How is he ranked that low when he beat Gaethje?”

Zuckerberg, one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in the world, is an avid fan of combat sports, having attended several UFC events as a guest of White’s. He has also participated in amateur grappling competitions.

Chris Fallica

FOX Sports Wagering Expert

“Bear Bets” are real wagers that Chris “The Bear” Fallica is actually making.

We’re on to Week 8, and I’ve got my eyes on a handful of games.

For those new to this space, if you are looking for a few wagers to get in on the NFL action, I have you covered. Nothing makes football better than having a few bucks on the games weekly.

Last week, we went 0-2 in this spot. 

Time to get back on track.

Last Week: 0-2 (Season: 13-10)

(All times ET)

SUNDAY, OCT. 27

EAGLES @ BENGALS (1 p.m., CBS)

I’m not going to overreact to the Eagles beating an awful Giants team last week. Yeah, they did what they needed to do, but the Giants OL/QB combo might be the worst in the league right now. It’s not like Jalen Hurts was great, and it had the earmarks of Saquon Barkley simply being motivated against the team that cast him aside. Cincinnati is getting healthier, and I think the best unit on the field is the Bengals offense. It’s a good time for the Bengals to not blow a lead on their home field and finally win one. 

PICK: Bengals (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points

FALCONS @ BUCCANEERS (1 p.m., FOX and FOX Sports App)

There might be a little overreaction here to the Tampa WR injuries. The Bucs are still gonna throw the ball. Maybe Cade Otton has a huge day. And remember, the backs are still capable. The Falcons laying points on the road against a team they should have lost to at home a couple of weeks back? What could possibly go wrong? 

PICK: Buccaneers (+2.5) to lose by fewer than 2.5 points, or win outright

NFL Week 8 Super Six: Can the Seattle Seahawks pull off the UPSET against the Buffalo Bills?

BILLS @ SEAHAWKS (4:05 p.m., FOX and FOX Sports App)

We don’t know if DK Metcalf is going to play, but there are still plenty of weapons on a Seattle team that might be able to pull off the upset. But I do think with Kenneth Walker, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and others, the Seahawks should put up points on a Buffalo defense that has had a tendency to do such this year. 

PICK: Seahawks team total Over 20.5 points scored

Chris “The Bear” Fallica has covered sports for nearly three decades. While college football has been his focus, he also enjoys the NFL, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, MLB, NHL and Horse Racing, with an “occasional” wager on such events. Chris recently won the inaugural Circa Football Invitational and finished in the Top 10 of the Golden Nugget Football Contest. He’s a multiple-time qualifier for the NHC Handicapping Championship. Remember, “The less you bet, the more you lose when you win!” Follow him on Twitter @chrisfallica.

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Merab Dvalishvili still believes Sean O’Malley deserves a rematch before Umar Nurmagomedov gets his chance to fight for UFC gold.

Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title with a unanimous decision win over O’Malley at UFC 306 in September. Following the win, it appeared the surging Nurmagomedov would be next in line after his dominant win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi, but reports have circulated that Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong are in talks for a bout. Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting recently that, as of now, the fight is not a done deal.

At Friday’s UFC 308 fan Q&A, Dvalishvili was asked by a fan why he’s afraid to face Nurmagomedov, and leaning more towards a rematch with O’Malley.

“Let’s boo to this guy,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m not scared of no one, only God.

“Where is this guy? He’s taking [another] fight. He’s scared. He’s fighting somebody else. Where is [he]? Where is [he]? Tell me. He wants to get knocked out by somebody else, and then he’s going to make excuse. He’s not going to make this fight. I’m not making fight. Dana White and Hunter [Campbell] make decision [for] who I’m going to fight next. I don’t know. I don’t make decision. I never make decision.”

So what will ultimately be next for the new bantamweight champion? Dvalishvili says he’ll let the UFC brass make the determination. But if it were his call, “The Machine” says O’Malley should be the rightful foe, as Nurmagomedov has more to show before getting his opportunity.

“If Dana White tells me I have to fight Umar, I’m fighting Umar, OK?,’ Dvalishvili said. “But, you know what? Umar doesn’t deserve to fight me. Sean O’Malley deserves to fight me, and I’m going to rematch him. He deserves it, and after, Umar has to prove [himself], and I will fight him.”

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC 308 co-main event between Khamzat Chimaev and former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Khamzat Chimaev UFC 308 preview

Khamzat Chimaev

Staple info:

• Record: 13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC
• Height: 6’2″ Age: 30 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 75″
• Last fight: Decision win over Kamaru Usman (Oct. 21, 2023)
• Camp: ADMA Academy (Abu Dhabi)
• Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
• Risk management: Fair

Supplemental info:
+ National champion in freestyle wrestling (SE)
^ Won multiple years and weight divisions
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 7 KO victories
+ 5 submission victories
+ 8 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Steadily improving striking and footwork
^ Solid jab from both stances
+ Favors front kicks from open stance
+ Superb wrestling ability
^ Offensively and defensively
+ Excellent transitional grappling
^ Good positional awareness and punishing process

Robert Whittaker UFC 308 preview

Robert Whittaker

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• Record: 27-7 MMA, 17-5 UFC
• Height: 6’0″ Age: 33 Weight: 185 lbs. Reach: 73.5″
• Last fight: Knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov (June 22, 2024)
• Camp: Gracie Jiu-jitsu Smeaton Grange (Australia)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:
+ Former UFC middleweight champion
+ Hapkido and karate black belt
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Australian National Wrestling Championships gold medal
+ 11 knockout victories
+ 5 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Consistent pace and pressure
+ Good footwork and distance management
^ Quick blitzes and deceptive tempo changes
+ Accurate jabs and hooks
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Excellent wrestling ability
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Improved overall grappling

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker point of interest: Straight shooters

Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

The co-main event for UFC 308 features an important matchup between two top-ranked middleweights who are no strangers to operating off of linear offense.

Despite coming from a wrestling base, Khamzat Chimaev appears to be comfortable striking from both stances.

The Chechen fighter can fire off snappy jabs from either side, which, in turn, help him follow up with power shots.

Unless his opponent carries a decent grappling pedigree, Chimaev usually wastes little time extending striking exchanges before looking to change his level and wrestle. However, in recent outings, we’ve seen Chimaev play a bit more with open-stance looks on the feet.

Whether he’s throwing his favored front kick or looking to line up a wicked right hand, Chimaev seems to be gaining a taste for open-stance affairs. That said, Chimaev’s skills don’t exactly shine through in the defensive department, so the 30-year-old will need to make sure he’s respecting what’s coming back at him this Saturday.

Enter Robert Whittaker.

Coming from a traditional martial arts base, Whittaker has developed into one of the most unique striking stylists at 185 pounds.

Using a combination of speed, accuracy and a fluid economy of movement, the Australian will deceptively blitz off different angles. Like many karate-based strikers, Whittaker will feint or show a certain speed to draw his opponent into a false sense of security, only to disrupt the perceived timing with off-beat strikes.

https://twitter.com/DanTomMMA/status/1382169527027261440

As we’ve seen in multiple fights, Whittaker often will assert himself through rear-legged front kicks that he uses to launch himself into variations of left hooks and shifting overhand shots. The former champ also has no issue when it comes to sticking to his fundamentals, building offense off of deceptive jabs and feints.

https://twitter.com/DanTomMMA/status/1397627348489424896

That said, Whittaker is not beyond being taxed for his sometimes low-handed approach and will need to be on his best behavior – particularly early.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker breakdown: Winning the wrestling

Russia’s Khamzat Chimaev (black) and Nigeria’s Kamaru Usman (white) compete in their Middleweight bout during the Ultimate Fighting Championship 294 (UFC) event at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Considering the arguable crux of Chimaev’s game, winning the wrestling will remain paramount for both parties.

Wrestling since the age of five, Chimaev has seemingly adapted to the grappling arts like second nature. From a lightning-fast shot to incredible wherewithal within the clinch, Chimaev seems to have it all from a wrestling perspective.

The 30-year-old displays a lot of the freestyle (and even Greco) looks that you would associate with his part of the world, yet also demonstrates a lot of the positional rides that traditionally come easier to American folkstyle wrestlers. And when Chimaev took the back of Li Jingliang at UFC 267, the Chechen fighter showed off some very competent jiu-jitsu to close to show via rear-naked choke.

Rewatching Khamzat Chimaev’s first amateur MMA fight and totally forgot about the makeshift playpen full of children cage-side who ended up getting a front row seat for this finish (*note the youngest girl cheering): pic.twitter.com/2XT9d0IWul

— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) October 1, 2020

From early in his regional career to his more recent battle with Gilbert Burns, Chimaev has shown solid submission and wrestling defense in multiple scenarios. Whether someone is looking for Chimaev’s legs or attempting to re-guard, the product from the Allstars Training Center typically gives his opposition very little to work with – all while staying busy with offense of his own.

That said, Whittaker has proven to be much more difficult to control than many presumed he would when initially moving up to 185 pounds.

Aside from the fact that Whittaker’s footwork makes it difficult for his opponents to set up their shots, the Australian also shows the small technical intricacies that make him hard to ground or hold down when grasped.

For example, while most fighters are reliant on more traditional defenses such as sprawls or battles for under-hooks, they typically end up losing out to superior grapplers since these defensive tactics involve a commitment to contact (which in turn begets more grappling).

Whereas Whittaker, though capable of using those defenses, does not rely on them. Instead, “The Reaper” prefers to head off takedown attempts at the pass.

Already possessing a strong base and balance, Whittaker’s hip and grip awareness also have improved through the years.

Not only does Whittaker utilize grip breaks and wrist controls, but the 33-year-old is also disciplined about consistently circling out to his opponent’s weak side, which helps dissuade re-shots and takedown chain adjustments from his foes. Even Romero had difficulty grasping or chaining off his initial attempts due to Whittaker’s persistence to fight hands.

What is even more impressive is Whittaker’s ability to go from thwarting takedown attempts to striking off the breaks (which will also likely keep Chimaev honest in exchanges with him).

Still, if Whittaker does find himself on the bottom in this fight, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will need to be extra careful with his propensity to look for underhook getups given Chimaev’s front-choke acumen.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker odds

Robert Whittaker def. Ikram Aliskerov, UFC on ABC 6 (via UFC)

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The oddsmakers and the public are siding with the Chechen fighter, listing Chimaev -250 and Whittaker +198 via FanDuel.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker prediction, pick

Between the bookmakers loving undefeated fighters to the promotional hype that’s been put on Chimaev, seeing him installed as a moderate favorite doesn’t shock me in the slightest.

Speculation about his health aside, Chimaev is absolute hell on wheels for the first 5-7 minutes of a fight.

However, after that point, the prospect-turned-contender starts to look incredibly human. And as Arnold Schwarzenegger said in the film PREDATOR, “If it bleeds, we can kill it.”

Chimaev may not have been healthy for his last outing opposite Kamaru Usman, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’ve yet to see Chimaev convincingly win a third frame, much less a fourth or fifth.

Whereas Whittaker, who is very familiar with five-round affairs, traditionally does well over 25 minutes due to his consistent output and ability to adjust.

Add in the fact that Whittaker usually excels against grapple-first fighters, and I can’t help but side with the more proven product at plus money.

I’ll officially pick Whittaker to survive the early storms en route to a stoppage via strikes that come late into Round 3.

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Robert Whittaker start time, where to watch

As the co-main event, Chimaev and Whittaker are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 3:45 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.