Hello everyone, and welcome back for another week of our UFC Power Rankings. After seeing Merab Dvalishvili take apart Sean O’Malley in the main event at UFC 316, we can now say that Merab is the man. 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, on June 28th. Ilia comes into this fight a heavy favorite 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. After DDP and Khamzat finally slowed down in the trolling, you can bet this showdown is only going to get more intense the closer we get to the fight.
4. Merab Dvalishvili: Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley via submission this past weekend at UFC 316. This extended his winning streak to 13 as he broke down Sean easily and cemented his legacy like we talked about in the Fight Club of Pain. On the show, Dan and I talked about how this fight was critical for both fighters and their careers. That’s when we suggested that the only way Merab would be considered the G.O.A.T if he could tap Sean, which had a +1900 for the odds when we suggested it.
5. Jon Jones: Jon Jones is trolling us all and we know it. I agree that if he isn’t ready to fight Tom Aspinall, then let Tom fight someone else, for now. With so many rumors surrounding this fight, Jones isn’t helping by posting all that gibberish on social media. I’m not buying any of it and I feel like this fight is signed already.
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 has said that he’s tired of waiting and will accept another fight if Jones isn’t ready to make his decision. That means that Ciryl Gane will most likely be the runner-up to catch those hands that Tom has been eagerly wanting to drop in someone’s face.
8. Magomed Ankalaev: Magomed Ankalaev had 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 as soon as he’s ready. Alex did say that he didn’t feel ready when asked about 317, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t ready to throw Kana at Ank. Alex recently said, “No one knows he’s champion,” after Ankalaev decided to talk trash after turning down the rematch a few weeks back.
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. Unfortunately for JDM, The best pound for pound fighter is coming for him so he better get ready because Makhachev isn’t like Muhammed. He’ll run right through you if you stand there and go head-to-head with him.
