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 ***
Here are the top 10 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 is currently on a 15 fight win streak and ready to find his next opponent. Will he move up for a super fight with Ilia Topuria or will he try to have another match with Arman Tsarukyan. Only time will tell for the number one fighter in the world.
2. 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)
While many people want to see a dream match between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones, Pereira is focused on his next fight. Magomed Ankalaev isn’t a push over so this fight right here could determine Pereira’s next step.
3. 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)
With no fight on the radar and hints of retirement surrounding Jon Jones, I had no problem moving him down this week. Jones did say he will fight in 2025 so don’t think he doesn’t have something up his sleeve that will surprise us all.
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 remains dormant at the fourth spot after beating Sean Strickland. This led to some problems in Camp Strickland in which Strickland himself fired Eric Nicksick for comments he made on a podcast.
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)
Ilia Topuria sits idle at the fifth spot as he eyes his next opponent by dropping his belt to move up. Alexander Volkanovski vs Deigo Lopes are already set to fight for the vacated title at UFC 314. This change of events is highly intriguing and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Topuria.
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)
Sitting at 19-4, Merab Dvalishvili’s next opponent has not been announced yet. However you could see him get matched with Deiveson Figueiredo, Marlon Vera, or he could have a rematch with Sean O’Malley or Petr Yan.
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 is preparing to fight Jon Jones since Fans White said this match should happen in 2025. However no one knows what Jon Jones is doing right now leaving Aspinall to train like a mad man in hopes he gets the fight he deserves.
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)
Belal Muhammad was targeting Shavkat Rakhmonov as his next opponent however that changed due to an injury to Rakhmonov. That means Muhammad will be defending his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315.
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)
With Kai Kara-French most likely being Alexandre Pantoja’s next opponent at UFC 314, he retains the ninth spot on this list. Pantoja should continue his dominance and if he beats Kara-French, you could see him move up in the standings.
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)
On March 22nd, Leon Edwards was set to face Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 254. Instead he will be facing Sean Brady who is currently 17-1, because Jack Della Maddalena is now facing Belal Muhammad.
