ROCHESTER, NY – MAY 18: A camera person captures action as Charles Oliveira fights Nik Lentz during a lightweight bout at Blue Cross Arena on May 18, 2019 in Rochester, New York. Oliveira defeats Lentz in the second-round by TKO. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
These are the UFC Power Rankings:
1. Islam Makhachev:
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 18: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts after his victor by submission over Renato Moicano of Brazil, not pictured, in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Islam Makhachev was dominant against a backup opponent in Renato Moicano. Makhachev submitted Moicano in 4 minutes and 5 seconds in round one.
2. Jon Jones:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 16: Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Pound for pound, one of the best fighters in UFC history. He proved that by knocking out MMA legend Stipe Miocic.
3. Alex Pereira:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 29: Alex Pereira of Brazil fights during a light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
After a stunning knockout of Khalil Roundtree, Alex Pereira is headed into UFC 313 on fire. His next opponent is Magomed Ankalaev, who is a beast in his own right.
4. Dricus Du Plessis:
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 18: Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa celebrates winning his fight against Israel Adesanya of Nigeria by submission during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Dricus Du Plessis went to war to defend his title against Sean Strickland once again. In convincing fashion, he won by decision while breaking Strickland’s nose in the fourth round.
5. Ilia Topuria:
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 22: Ilia Topuria poses during the press conference after winning the UFC Featherweight Championship at Hotel Rosewood Villa Magna on February 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/WireImage)
Anyone who goes toe-to-toe with Max Holloway and wins deserves this spot. His third-round knockout of Holloway was impressive in defending Ilia Topuria’s unbeaten record.
6. Merab Dvalishvili:
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 18: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia reacts at the end of his bantamweight title fight against Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia, not pictured, during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome on January 18, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Merab Dvalishvili does what he does best and wins by decision once again by handing Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss at UFC 311. Dvalishvili has been in two wars recently, so we’ll see if he’s up for another war soon enough.
7. Tom Aspinall:
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Tom Aspinall of England looks on ahead of the interim UFC heavyweight championship bout against Curtis Blaydes of the U.S. during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
Tom Aspinall has quickly made a name for himself in the UFC after knocking out Curtis Blaydes in the first round. That moved his total to 12 first-round knockouts and 14 first-round finishes overall.
8. Belal Muhammad:
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 28: Belal Muhammad reacts after his victory against Leon Edwards of Jamaica at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
If you can’t remember his name, then say it with your chest, Belal Muhammad. The Welterweight Champion is sitting smooth at 24-3 after two decisions in a row.
9. Alexandre Pantoja:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil warms up prior to a flyweight title fight during UFC 310 at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Sitting at 29-5, Alexandre Pantoja hasn’t lost since 2020. Right now, Pantoja is scheduled to head UFC 314 against his expected opponent, Kai Kara-French.
10. Leon Edwards:
Leon Edwards, the English professional mixed martial artist and current UFC welterweight world champion, poses for a portrait after a training session at the Fearless MMA gym on November 30th 2023 in Birmingham (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
After losing to Belal Muhammad in July last year, Leon Edwards is ready to make a comeback. He is currently set to fight Jack Della Maddalena this coming March on UFC Fight Night.
