Here are the top 10 UFC Power Rankings for this week:
1. Islam Makhachev:
Dana White is having fun with us about Islam Makhachev’s next fight. Names are being dropped all over the place for his next fight; however, Justin Gaethje decided to run his mouth instead after defeating Rafael Fiziev on Saturday. He feels he should be next in line for a shot at the champ but I don’t see that happening for him right now.
2. Jon Jones:
Jon Jones is just messing with us all at this point, but I moved him up because I feel an announcement is coming soon. Pereira losing also made it easy to move him up, but Aspinall doesn’t find any of this funny. Will Jones finally agree to this match, or will we still be waiting when summer starts? Only time will tell.
3. Ilia Topuria:
Just like Makhachev, Ilia Topuria is still waiting to see who he’ll be fighting soon, but that wait may be coming to an end. Dana White said he has something in the works and we won’t believe it when we hear it. Just like everyone else, I can’t wait for this announcement.
4. Dricus Du Plessis:
Dricus Du Plessis moves down while gearing up for his next fight. The two most likely to get that nod are Khamzat Chimaev or Nassourdine Imavov, at the moment. However, whispers in the wind say it will be Khamzat who gets a shot at the championship.
5. Merab Dvalishvili:
Merab Dvalishvili moves up in the rankings while waiting for Dana White to announce his next opponent. It’s still rumored that his opponent will be Sean O’Malley which everyone wouldn’t mind seeing again.
6. Belal Muhammad:
Belal Muhammad is still set to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Barring any injuries or setbacks, this match is going to be amazing. I can’t wait to do the coverage for this fight, but for now, we have a lot of events to talk about before this one.
7. Tom Aspinall:
Tom Aspinall should just join an esports team and enter a tournament in hopes that someone will use Jon Jones against him. That could be the only way Jones may knuckle up at this point, but Uncle Dana is telling us to be patient. Can it be Christmas already because we all deserve this present.
8. Alex Pereira:
Alex Pereira went into Saturday with a plan, and whatever that plan was, it didn’t work. Magomed Ankalaev ended Pereira’s reign as champ, thus catapulting him into the top 10. There were hints of a rematch being planned already, but we’ll have to wait and see if those plans come to fruition.
9. Alexandre Pantoja:
With Kai Kara-French still likely to be Alexandre Pantoja’s next opponent at UFC 314. We still haven’t heard a word from Uncle Dana regarding this fight so far. However, what we have heard is that it’s going to be the co-main event at 314, which means we’re going to have a helluva card that day.
10. Leon Edwards:
On March 22nd, Leon Edwards will be facing Sean Brady at UFC Fight Night. This fight is going to be off the hook since Edwards is still seething from his loss to Belal Muhammad. Brady isn’t a pushover either, which means this could be the fight of the night if it goes the distance.
