Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) leaves the octagon after defeating Renato Moicano (not pictured) in a lightweight title fight during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

These are the top 10 UFC fighters right now:

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 remains the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Now we have speculation that Islam may be moving up, which has Belal Muhammad commenting about it. Right now, with UFC 317 being wide open, it makes you think that Dana White is waiting for this weekend before he makes a decision. Regardless, I know that we all can’t wait for Makhachev’s next fight.

2. 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 said on the X that the camp has begun. From what I have read, there’s talk that it’s going to be for a belt, which would make him a double champ. Regardless, I feel this could finally lead to the super fight we all want to see against Makhachev. The target date for this fight is UFC 317, which gives them a lot of time, but we still don’t have a definitive answer yet.

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)

Knick, knack, paddy wack, can someone get all of us a bone? That bone would be Jon “Bones” Jones finally getting paid and signing to fight Tom Aspinall. Now, if we could get that announced, that would be great. For now, we all wait, so don’t hold your breath or you might pass out waiting for this duck.

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 in the fourth spot while gearing up for his next fight. The last news I’ve heard from Dana White is that Du Plessis is going to fight Khamzat Chimaev. It still hasn’t been announced as I’m writing this article, but you can bet after this weekend, you’ll hear something from Uncle Dana.

5. 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)

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. 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 is still set to defend his title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 this Saturday. This fight has so many implications for the future of the UFC. With all of the rumors surrounding this fight, you can only expect the next few weeks to be one of the most exciting times for all of us UFC fans.

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 been keeping a secret, apparently, and from what Chael Sonnen is saying, 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 be the one true champ, like John Cena.

8. Magomed Ankalaev:

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 08: Magomed Ankalaev of Russia reacts after defeating Alex Pereira of Brazil to win the Light Heavyweight Title during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

Magomed Ankalaev has since settled into being the champion since defeating Alex Pereira. Ankalaev has said that the contract is all but signed, which I feel is a rematch 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:

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)

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. However, it’s not 100 percent set in stone, but from the rumblings I’m hearing, you can see this fight being announced by Dana White at some point in the near future. One thing I do know is Poatan has been training hard, so once this fight is announced, you can bet it’s going down as soon as possible.

10. 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)

Alexandre Pantoja waits in silence as the UFC tries to figure out his next opponent. So, like a lot of other fighters in this list, we’re waiting once again. However, Kyoji Horiguchi recently said that if he came back to the UFC, he would like a shot at Pantoja. Pantoja liked this comment and said it would be a pleasure to fight Horiguchi, who is a teammate of his. The latest rumors I’ve heard is that Pantoja is predicted to be on a card in June or July. That sounds like UFC 316 could be the target date but until we get a confirmation date, we’re all left in the dark.