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UFC rankings are viewed by many fight fans as a listing of the very best fighters in each major division in mixed martial arts. However, which competitors get ranked and where is always a source of much debate. Ringside Intel is here to further the subjective discourse with our rundown of the top fighters in the UFC.
This space will be your one-stop shop for the top 10 in the UFC rankings, from the men’s flyweight division to the women’s pound-for-pound list. Scroll down and feast your eyes on the latest rankings.
Men’s pound-for-pound UFC rankings
Twelve straight victories are part of why UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is at the top of our current pound-for-pound UFC rankings. However, it is also how dominant he has been, and his back-to-back wins over fellow P4P fighters Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski that place him head and shoulders above any other fighters in the promotion right now.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results |
| #1 | Islam Makhachev | 25-1 | W-W-W |
| #2 | Leon Edwards | 22-3 | W-W-W |
| #3 | Alexandre Pantoja | 21-5 | W-W-W |
| #4 | Alexander Volkanovski | 26-4 | L-L-W |
| #5 | Israel Adesanya | 24-3 | L-W-L |
| #6 | Ilia Topuria | 15-0 | W-W-W |
| #7 | Charles Oliveira | 34-9 | W-L-W |
| #8 | Alex Pereira | 9-2 | W-W-L |
| #9 | Sean O’Malley | 18-1-1 | W-W-W |
| #10 | Kamaru Usman | 20-4 | L-L-L |
UFC flyweight rankings
Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja has had a long hard road to becoming the new UFC flyweight king. He has toiled away inside the division for five years before he was finally able to earn a title fight at UFC 290. In his first chance at being champion, he made good by scoring a second (third unofficial) win over division king Brandon Moreno. He is not just a 125-pound superstar but a pound-for-pound level competitor as well.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Alexandre Pantoja | 27-5 | W-W-W | ||
| #2 | Brandon Royval | 16-7 | W-L-W | ||
| #3 | Amir Albazi | 17-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #4 | Brandon Moreno | 21-8-2 | L-L-W | ||
| #5 | Matheus Nicolau | 19-4-1 | L-W-W | ||
| #6 | Manel Kape | 19-6 | W-W-W | ||
| #7 | Muhammad Mokaev | 12-0 | W-W-W | ||
| #8 | Kai Kara-France | 24-11 | L-L-W | ||
| #9 | Tim Elliott | 20-13-1 | W-L-W | ||
| #10 | Steve Erceg | 12-1 | W-W-W |
UFC bantamweight rankings
Sean O’Malley has had many doubters during his UFC career but he put that to rest definitively at UFC 292. His second-round technical knockout win over Aljamain Sterling proved he is not just an elite striker but a fighter with a high fight IQ. At just 28 he is the division king and at the top of our latest UFC bantamweight rankings.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | |
| #1 | Sean O’Malley | 17-1-1 | W-W-NC | |
| #2 | Aljamain Sterling | 23-4 | W-W-W | |
| #3 | Merab Dvalishvili | 17-4 | W-W-W | |
| #4 | Cory Sandhagen | 16-4 | W-W-W | |
| #5 | Petr Yan | 17-5 | W-L-L | |
| #6 | Marlon Vera | 21-7-1 | W-L-W | |
| #7 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 17-0 | L-L-W | |
| #8 | Yadong Song | 21-8 | L-W-W | |
| #9 | Henry Cejudo | 16-4 | L-L-W | |
| #10 | Deiveson Figueiredo | 22-3 | W-L-W |
UFC featherweight rankings
After five straight wins to start his UFC career, Ilia Topuria became one of the new rising stars at 145 pounds. Then big wins over Bryce Mitchell and former interim championship challenger Josh Emmett cemented his place as not just an impressive talent but a true world title contender.
In February, he stamped his place in division history when he was able to be the first man to not only hang an L on Alexander Volkanovski at featherweight but also finish him in dramatic fashion. At just 27, Topuria is set up to begin a lengthy and dominant title run of his own over the next few years.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results |
| #1 | Ilia Topuria | 15-0 | W-W-W |
| #2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 26-4 | L-L-W |
| #3 | Max Holloway | 25-7 | W-W-L |
| #4 | Josh Emmett | 18-4 | W-L-L |
| #5 | Movsar Evloev | 18-0 | W-W-W |
| #6 | Brian Ortega | 16-3 | W-L-L |
| #7 | Yair Rodriguez | 19-5 | L-L-W |
| #8 | Arnold Allen | 19-3 | L-L-W |
| #9 | Calvin Kattar | 23-7 | L-L-W |
| #10 | Giga Chikadze | 14-3 | L-W-W |
What are MMA rankings?
MMA rankings are just like rankings for boxers of NFL teams. It is a list of the best fighters in a particular weight class or overall in the sport of mixed martial arts.
UFC lightweight rankings
Islam Makhachev, like his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been a dominant force in the UFC lightweight division. He won 10 straight to land a title fight and now has one of the best back-to-back title defenses in weight class history when he defeated former champ Charles Oliveria and featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Islam Makhachev | 25-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #2 | Charles Oliveira | 34-9 | W-L-W | ||
| #3 | Justin Gaethje | 25-4 | W-W-L | ||
| #4 | Dustin Poirier | 30-8 | W-L-W | ||
| #5 | Mateusz Gamrot | 24-2 | W-W-W | ||
| #6 | Arman Tsarukyan | 21-3 | W-W-W | ||
| #7 | Beniel Dariush | 22-6-1 | L-W-W | ||
| #8 | Michael Chandler | 23-8 | L-W-L | ||
| #9 | Rafael Fiziev | 12-2 | L-W-W | ||
| #10 | Jalin Turner | 13-7 | W-L-L |
UFC welterweight rankings
Fight fans were shocked when Leon Edwards shocked welterweight legend Kamaru Usman in the final seconds of their rematch in 2022. They figured it was a fluke and the champ got lazy late. Well, he proved it was no miracle in March when he defeated Usman again and landed bragging rights for their trilogy. Like it or not, “Rocky” is the cream of the UFC rankings crop at 170 pounds.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | |
| #1 | Leon Edwards | 21-3 | W-W-W | |
| #2 | Belal Muhammad | 26-3 | W-W-W | |
| #3 | Kamaru Usman | 20-4 | L-L-L | |
| #4 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 18-0 | W-W-W | |
| #5 | Ian Garry | 14-0 | W-W-W | |
| #6 | Gilbert Burns | 22-6 | L-W-W | |
| #7 | Stephen Thompson | 17-7-1 | L-W-L | |
| #8 | Vicente Luque | 22-8-1 | W-L-L | |
| #9 | Sean Brady | 16-1 | W-L-W | |
| #10 | Jack Della Maddalena | 17-2 | W-W-W |
UFC middleweight rankings
At UFC 293, Sean Strickland stunned the MMA world by beating division legend Israel Adesanya despite being a +440 underdog entering fight night. It was a stunning moment that forever changed opinions about who is the division GOAT and opened up the top of the division to all sorts of possibilities in the months ahead.
However, his reign at the top was short-lived as history was made in his first title defense when Dricus Du Plessis defeated him to be the first South African-born fighter to win a UFC championship. With the fall of Adesanya, the division is as wide open as it’s been in years.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Dricus Du Plessis | 21-2 | W-W-W | ||
| #2 | Sean Strickland | 28-6 | L-W-W | ||
| #3 | Israel Adesanya | 24-3 | L-W-L | ||
| #4 | Robert Whittaker | 25-7 | W-L-W | ||
| #5 | Jared Cannonier | 17-6 | W-W-L | ||
| #6 | Marvin Vettori | 19-7-1 | L-W-L | ||
| #7 | Brendan Allen | 23-5 | W-W-W | ||
| #8 | Paulo Costa | 14-3 | L-W-L | ||
| #9 | Nassourdine Imavov | 13-4 | W-NC-L | ||
| #10 | Jack Hermansson | 24-8 | W-L-W |
UFC light heavyweight rankings
In a short amount of time, Alex Pereira stamped his place as one of the best middleweight MMA fighters on the planet. His knockout win over former champion Israel Adesanya forever stamped his spot in division lore and he likely would have been first in line to get a chance to again beat new champion Sean Strickland. However, he switched divisions and rapidly rose to the top at light heavyweight.
At UFC 295, he proved any doubters left wrong when he scored a destructive second-round finish over former champion Jiri Prochazka. Not only is he the ninth fighter in UFC history to win titles in two divisions, but he is by far the fastest to ever achieve the legendary feat as he did it in just seven fights.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Alex Pereira | 9-2 | W-W-L | ||
| #2 | Jamahal Hill | 12-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #3 | Magomed Ankalaev | 19-1-1 | W-D-W | ||
| #4 | Jiri Prochazka | 29-4-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #5 | Jan Blachowicz | 29-10-1 | W-D-W | ||
| #6 | Aleksandar Rakic | 14-3 | L-W-W | ||
| #7 | Nikita Krylov | 30-9 | W-W-W | ||
| #8 | Khalil Rountree | 13-5 | W-W-W | ||
| #9 | Johnny Walker | 21-8 | L-W-W | ||
| #10 | Azamat Murzakanvo | 13-0 | W-W-W |
UFC heavyweight rankings
Englishman Tom Aspinall is the best heavyweight in the UFC. While the current title he holds is an interim belt, with all due respect to lineal champion Jon Jones, Aspinall has beaten many of the best fighters in the division for the last three years instead of a great win in one fight.
His lone defeat in the company came after he tore knee ligaments against Curtis Blaydes, otherwise, he has met little resistance during eight bouts in the Octagon and he stamped his place as the best in the class with a destructive championship win over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Tom Aspinall | 14-3 | W-W-L | ||
| #2 | Jon Jones | 27-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #3 | Ciryl Gane | 12-2 | W-L-W | ||
| #4 | Sergei Pavlovich | 18-2 | L-W-W | ||
| #5 | Curtis Blaydes | 201-3 | W-L-W | ||
| #6 | Alexander Volkov | 37-10 | W-W-W | ||
| #7 | Jailton Almeida | 20-3 | L-W-W | ||
| #8 | Sergey Spivak | 16-4 | L-W-W | ||
| #9 | Marcin Tybura | 24-8 | L-W-W | ||
| #10 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 14-5 | W-L-W |
Women’s UFC pound for pound rankings
With Amanda Nunes walking away from the sport, the women’s pound-for-pound rankings are now wide open. In the wake of the GOAT’s departure and Valentina Shevchenko’s shocking loss, Chinese superstar Zhang Weili jumped into the top spot. At UFC 292 she showed why she is one of the best female fighters alive with a dominant win as she used a complete attack to beat Amanda Lemos.
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results |
| #1 | Zhang Weili | 24-3 | W-W-W |
| #2 | Alexa Grasso | 16-3-1 | D-W-W |
| #3 | Valentina Shevchenko | 23-4-1 | D-L-W |
| #4 | Carla Esparza | 20-7 | L-W-W |
| #5 | Erin Blanchfield | 11-1 | W-W-W |
| #6 | Yan Xiaonan | 17-3 | W-W-L |
| #7 | Rose Namajunas | 12-6 | L-L-W |
| #8 | Julianna Pena | 12-5 | L-W-W |
| #9 | Tatiana Suarez | 10-0 | W-W-W |
| #10 | Raquel Pennington | 15-8 | W-W-W |
Where is Islam Makhachev ranked?
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is ranked in two categories in our current UFC rankings and the Russian star lands in the top spot for both. Makhachev is No. 1 in our latest lightweight and pound-for-pound rankings.
Who is the best pound for pound MMA history?
Deciding who is the greatest MMA fighter ever is very subjective. But if one had to be chosen, either light heavyweight great Jon Jones, welterweight legend Georges St. Pierre, and flyweight icon Demetrious Johnson would be the likely choices for many fight fans.
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TODAY'S BEST
3 Bold Predictions For Luka Doncic’s First Full Season With The Lakers
Luka Doncic has officially entered the next chapter of his career, and it’s painted in purple and gold. After a midseason blockbuster trade brought the 5x All-Star to Los Angeles, the basketball world is watching to see what kind of impact he can make with the Lakers from day one. While his short stint last year gave fans a taste of his potential fit, 2025-26 marks the beginning of his true journey as the franchise cornerstone. From his renewed physical conditioning to a chip on his shoulder after being traded by Dallas, Doncic enters the season with something to prove. The expectations in L.A. are massive, but so is the opportunity. With LeBron James nearing retirement and the Lakers retooling their roster around Doncic’s timeline, it’s Luka’s team now. Here are three bold predictions for what could be the most explosive season of his NBA career. Luka Will Finish Top-2 In MVP Voting Doncic has flirted with MVP-level play for years, but this season sets up perfectly for him to finally dominate the narrative. With LeBron James stepping into a reduced role and a revamped roster built around Doncic’s strengths, he’ll have the ball in his hands more than ever. That means bigger stats, more clutch moments, and a higher national profile as the Lakers contend in prime time. Last year, Luka averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game, but many believed conditioning and team drama held him back. Now, with a leaner frame, renewed focus, and elite motivation to prove Dallas wrong, expect Luka to make a legitimate push for MVP. The only thing standing in his way might be voter fatigue, or another supernova season from someone like Nikola Jokic or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic Will Average A Triple-Double For The First Time Now that Luka is in full command of the Lakers’ offense, there’s a real possibility he joins the ultra-exclusive triple-double club. While he’s always flirted with the numbers (career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game), he’s never put it all together for a full season. That could change in 2025–26. With more shooters around him, improved conditioning, and a system tailored to his strengths, Doncic is in the perfect environment to boost his assist and rebound totals without sacrificing scoring. If he does pull it off, he’d be the first Laker ever to average a triple-double and only the third player in history to do it over a full season multiple times (joining Westbrook and Oscar Robertson). Luka Will Lead Lakers To The Western Conference Finals The Lakers finished third in the West last year, even with chemistry issues and major injuries. With a full offseason to gel, a healthy Doncic, and a defensive anchor like Ayton to protect the rim, the path is there for a deep playoff run. Factor in the veteran presence of Marcus Smart, LeBron, and a coach in JJ Redick who understands modern spacing and tempo, and you’ve got the recipe for a breakout season. The West is stacked—no question. But teams like Denver and OKC have their own vulnerabilities, and the Clippers and Warriors are aging fast. If the Lakers stay healthy and Doncic stays locked in, don’t be surprised if he leads this team past the second round for the first time since 2023. A trip to the Conference Finals would validate the trade and officially mark the dawn of a new Lakers era. Defining Season For Luka Doncic If Luka Doncic truly delivers on these bold predictions, the entire trajectory of the Lakers franchise could shift. After years of inconsistency and playoff heartbreak, Los Angeles finally has a young cornerstone who can carry the torch post-LeBron. The pressure will be immense, and with the right support system around him, this could be the start of a legendary second act to his career. For all the hype that’s followed him since his Dallas days, Luka's time in purple and gold might just become the defining chapter of his NBA legacy.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman offers massive Connor McDavid update
One of the major storylines heading into the 2024–25 season is the uncertainty surrounding Connor McDavid’s future in Edmonton. The 28-year-old superstar is entering the final year of his contract, and while a departure still feels unlikely, the mere possibility of him reaching free agency next offseason has sparked plenty of speculation. But don’t count Oilers general manager Stan Bowman among the concerned. According to a TSN report, Bowman said that extension talks with the team’s franchise player are progressing. Speaking with "Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer" on CHED 880 Edmonton, Bowman said he is “very encouraged” by the initial discussions he’s had with McDavid’s agent, Judd Moldaver. “I’ve had really good conversations with Judd since the season ended, and I’ve tried to give Connor his space, and I think that it’s important,” Bowman said. “You know, a lot of this is respecting the athlete and their timeline. So, we haven’t had any of those types of detailed discussions yet, but we certainly will, and I think we’re very encouraged by all the conversations I’ve had to date. And when the time comes, the time comes.” McDavid, who has one year left on his deal that comes with a $12.5M AAV, became eligible for an extension on July 1. While there is speculation on what McDavid’s next contract would demand annually, it’s fair to assume he’ll seek to at least match teammate Leon Draisaitl’s deal that comes with a $14M AAV over the next five seasons. In 67 games last season, McDavid recorded 26 goals and 100 points, marking the seventh 100-point campaign of his already illustrious career. He added a league-high 33 points in the postseason — the second consecutive year he led all players in playoff scoring — but he and the Oilers were once again defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Despite the disappointment, along with McDavid’s postseason admission to the media that he was in no rush related to extension talks, Bowman believes an extension with his captain is imminent. “He’s a huge part of everything we do here, and so I don’t have a timeline update, but I do expect to have some conversations with them soon and. And hopefully get that wrapped up,” he said.
Mets’ next target after Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers trade moves
The New York Mets made a splash, transforming a thin bullpen into one the league’s strongest groups. New York added relievers Tyler Rogers and Ryan Helsley in trades ahead of Thursday’s deadline. While the team’s two big moves helped turn a weakness into a strength, the Mets are reportedly not done upgrading the roster. New York plans on remaining active after adding Rogers and Helsley, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. The Mets’ beat reporter was told the team is still looking to bring in a bat before the deadline. David Steans, New York’s president of baseball operations, made it clear that the team would focus on beefing up the bullpen at the trade deadline. It’s safe to say Stearns has checked that box. Now attention will shift to adding offense. Mets look to add offense after bolstering bullpen via trades The Mets are considered the frontrunner for landing Luis Robert Jr. Despite struggling this season, the Chicago White Sox’s center fielder boasts a tantalizing skillset. He had 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases in his All-Star 2023 campaign. However, he’s dropped off considerably over the last two years, playing for a bad White Sox team. Robert is slashing .206/.296/.348 with an OPS+ of 80 and 0.7 bWAR in 87 games this season. The Mets believe in the talent though, and hope a change of scenery unlocks Robert’s substantial potential. Should a deal for Chicago’s Gold Glover fail to come to fruition, New York is also keeping an eye on Cedric Mullins. The Baltimore Orioles’ veteran brings similar tools to the table. He has 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases for Baltimore in 90 games this season. And he’s collected 30 steals three times in his eight-year career, joining the 30/30 club in 2021. The Mets landed Juan Soto on a massive $765 million contract over the offseason and the team is looking to build around the superstar. While Soto signed a 15-year pact with the team, New York has apparently decided that this is the year they’re google all in as Stearns and company remain busy ahead of the deadline. The Mets heated up at the end of July with a seven-game winning streak, taking the lead in the division. However, New York lost its third straight game Wednesday, getting swept by the San Diego Padres. Thanks to the Philadelphia Phillies loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Mets maintained their half-game lead in the NL East.
Former lottery pick should be cautionary tale for Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga
Amid his contract impasse with the Golden State Warriors, restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga has suggested he'll take the $7.9M qualifying offer. Nerlens Noel might caution against that move. When Kuminga posted "I'll bet on myself all day," it was a not-so-veiled threat to the Warriors that he would take their one-year, $7.9M offer for next season, and its accompanying no-trade clause. The Warriors have reportedly offered Kuminga a two-year deal worth $21.7M next season, more than the $19.8M he'd start with elsewhere, but with a team option on the second year and no no-trade clause for 2025-26. But Kuminga would be wise to take as much guaranteed money as he can get, at least for next season. The NBA's restricted free agency rules are severely tilted towards teams, not players, so Kuminga lacks leverage. That was also the case for former No. 6 overall pick Nerlens Noel. In 2017, the Dallas Mavericks traded for Noel and offered him a four-year contract for $70M. Noel refused the deal and chose to take the $4.1M qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Noel fell out of the Mavericks rotation and suffered a thumb injury that kept him out for months, going on to sign a minimum contract in 2018. Noel regretted the decision so much that he had an unsuccessful attempt to sue his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, for the lost wages. He went on to earn just over $30M for the remainder of his NBA career, which ended in 2023 — a big step down from $70M. The Warriors are playing hardball because Kuminga's primary suitors, the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, can't sign Kuminga to an offer sheet outright. They need to put together a sign-and-trade deal, and so far, the Warriors don't like what they've been offered in return for their 22-year-old forward. Ideally, Kuminga and his agents would convince the Kings to increase their offer to the Warriors, as they are so far offering second-year guard Devin Carter, big man Dario Saric and a conditional first-round pick. The deal might get done if the Kings substituted guard Keon Ellis and/or an unprotected first-round pick. The Suns are offering Royce O'Neale, Nick Richards and four second-rounders, a non-starter thanks to O'Neale's long deal, but it's unclear if they have anything else to sweeten the deal. But if he can't make his way to Sacramento, Kuminga should grit his teeth and take the sure money with Golden State, especially as they seem willing to move Kuminga after the season starts, and they can take a higher salary back in return. He may be frustrated with staying, even temporarily, but he has about 14 million reasons to do so.
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