After an exciting week, we’re back to the Jon Jones story. Not today, good sir, because we have plenty of other tigers that deserve your spot. However, he did earn that spot, and for now, I will throw Jones a bone this week. As for the rest of the list, we have some things finally in the works and should be getting some of these rumored fights announced soon enough. For now, let’s get to the list and see where this weekend takes us. Have a great day, everyone, and may the fights be with you.
1. Islam Makhachev:
Islam Makhachev remains as the number one, pound for pound, fighter in the world. Now that Makhachev has vacated the Lightweight Championship, he now sets his eyes on Jack Della Maddalena. There’s nothing set in stone yet, but you can best believe that this main event could be one for the ages.
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 favorit,e but some people aren’t thrilled about Topuria getting a title shot after moving up. This fight is going to be insane which will pit Topuria’s elegant striking against Oliveira’s hard-nosed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
3. Dricus Du Plessis:
Dricus Du Plessis remains at the fourth spot while gearing up for his next fight against Khamzat Chimaev. That fight will take place at UFC 319, which is in Chicago. Besides the online trolling by both fighters, when it comes to game day, there aren’t many fighters who are better. Expect this gift to be a fall classic.
4. Merab Dvalishvili:
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 will take place next Saturday at UFC 316, on June 7th. After that first fight, I know a lot of us can’t wait to see this matchup go down again. Both fighters have kept all of us entertained on social media, so next week they get to do it in the octagon. I can’t wait to see this match go down again.
5. Jon Jones:
Jon Jones is done, and so are we. Now, I’m not going to sign a petition, but I will drop you on my rankings until I get word of a fight for Jones. Until then, Jones will be slipping away like the penguin board in Mario 64.
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 knows that it’s clear that if he wants a bone tossed his way, Jones may not be the man throwing it his way. There are a ton of rumors saying that Ciryl Gane is his next opponent, but I still feel this fight isn’t going down. However, Aspinall came out the other day saying there’s something lined up. Is this the bone he’s been looking for, or should he just leave it alone and go find another? This is the biggest story right now, and it has so many people agitated that I’m a way, I find it amusing.
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:
After defeating Belal Muhammad, I removed him from the list until there’s a clear path for a rematch or title bout. Belal did great in his fight against JDM and deserves to be on this list, but for now, this is Jack’s spot. 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. That fight is going to be great, but there’s a lot of controversy to go with it. However, my only thing is what’s next for Belal Muhammad, with all these fighters jumping weight divisions. Uncle Dana always has a plan, so let’s grab some whey and drink it up while we wait.
