Dana White has announced UFC 317’s card. With some of the fighters on my rankings being part of International Week, you can only imagine how things are going to shake up over the next few months. It’s definitely going to be a great summer, so let’s get to the new rankings since we have a new champion in the Welterweight division. Have a great day, everyone, and may the fights be with you.
1. Islam Makhachev:
Islam Makhachev remains the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Now that Makhachev has vacated the Lightweight Championship, he sets his eyes on Jack Della Maddalena, who defeated Belal Muhammad this past weekend at UFC 315. This may not be the super fight we wanted, but if you think JDM is going to back down from Islam’s aura, you’re sorely wrong
2. Ilia Topuria:
Ilia Topuria will be facing Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 for the vacated Lightweight title. Ilia comes into this fight a heavy favorite, but some people aren’t thrilled about Topuria getting a title shot, agreeing with Jay moving up. Dan from the Fight Club of Pain said himself that there are other lightweights that deserved this shot instead of Topuria. He says that Ilia should have had at least one match prior to this championship bout, so you can expect Dan to be fired up and on Oliveira’s side for this match when we cover it.
3. Dricus Du Plessis:
Dricus Du Plessis remains in fourth spot while gearing up for his next fight. The latest news from Dana White finally confirmed that Du Plessis will be facing Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. This fight is going to be a war since Du Plessis and Chimaev have been going back and forth on social media. This only adds fuel to a fire I want to see.
4. Jon Jones:
Jon Jones is clearly undecided on his future, but in honesty, I’m fine where he’s at. We have so many great fights coming up that at this point, it’s hysterical to think this subject needs any more publicity. So Jones slips once again, making him the real duck of the UFC nowadays.
5. Merab Dvalishvili:
Finally, Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 has been announced for UFC 316 in Jersey on June 7th. After that first fight, I know a lot of us can’t wait to see this matchup go down again. We’re still over a month away from this rematch, so let’s just be excited we have this one signed and on paper. I will say that at least Dvalishvili has kept us all entertained with his social media posts recently.
6. Alexandre Pantoja:
Alexandre Pantoja will be defending his title against Kai Kara-French at UFC 317 on June 28th. This fight is going to be great and is part of a card that features two high-level championship matches. Just like the main event, this fight is going to be like watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, but a week early. This event could possibly be the best card of the year, given the talent that’s on it right now.
7. Tom Aspinall:
Tom Aspinall has been keeping a secret, apparently, and from what Chael Sonnen is saying that the fight is agreed upon, but no date has been set. Then we have Din Thomas saying that Aspinall will headline UFC 317 against Ciryl Gane. This has become a circus at this point, and seeing everyone making fun of Jones has become downright hilarious. This same rumor has picked up steam this week, which has some people saying that it’s time to strip Jones and let Aspinall but the one true champ, like John Cena.
8. Magomed Ankalaev:
Magomed Ankalaev has since settled into being the champion since defeating Alex Pereira. Ankalaev has said that the contract is all but signed, but we’ll be waiting on this match with Pereira. Once it’s officially announced, you can bet that we’ll all be ready to see if Poatan can bring the pain, this time around. Till then, we all wait for Uncle Dana to give us the word.
9. Alex Pereira:
Alex Pereira looks like he’ll be getting a rematch with Magomed Ankalaev before moving up in weight or any other jazz you may be hearing right now. Alex recently turned down his rematch with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 317, which means he’s ready to fight Ank again, but on his terms. Whichever way this goes, I’m fine with it as long as we finally get this rematch.
10. Jack Della Maddalena:
Congratulations to the new Welterweight Champion, Jack Della Maddalena. After defeating Belal Muhammad, I had to remove him from the list, especially after all of the announcements yesterday. I do feel that Belal did great and deserved to be on this list, but his plan to box with JDM was his undoing. Jack is one of the best boxers in this division, and that will soon be felt by Islam, whom he will be facing in the near future.
