MMA pound-for-pound rankings: Can anyone stop Alexandre Pantoja’s rise?

MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Alexandre Pantoja Holds Steady Despite Dominant Win

It was a weekend packed with action, drama, and plenty of talking points in the MMA world. UFC 310 delivered some thrilling moments, but one of the biggest stories coming out of the event was Alexandre Pantoja’s continued dominance in the flyweight division. Yet, despite his impressive performance, the reigning UFC flyweight champion remains stuck at No. 5 in the ESPN men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Let’s break it all down and see where the chips fell after this weekend’s fights.

Pantoja’s Dominance: A Statement Win

Alexandre Pantoja entered UFC 310 as the No. 5 fighter in the ESPN men’s pound-for-pound rankings, trailing behind Islam Makhachev, Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, and Ilia Topuria. Facing Kai Asakura in his third title defense, Pantoja left no doubt about his skill and dominance. He secured a second-round submission victory, showcasing his technical prowess and ability to finish fights. It was a performance that solidified his position as one of the best in the sport.

However, even with such a commanding win, Pantoja couldn’t climb higher in the rankings. The ESPN voting panel acknowledged his brilliance, with some members bumping him up in their individual rankings, but it wasn’t enough to move him past the elite four. For now, Pantoja remains locked in at No. 5, but his consistency and dominance make him a name to watch as the year unfolds.

Big Announcements for UFC 312

While Pantoja’s ranking remained unchanged, the weekend wasn’t without major news. Two blockbuster fights were announced for UFC 312, scheduled for February 8. Zhang Weili, the No. 1 fighter in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, will defend her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez. Meanwhile, Dricus Du Plessis, ranked No. 10 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings, will put his middleweight belt on the line against Sean Strickland. Both matchups promise fireworks and could have significant implications for the rankings.

Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings: The Top 5

Here’s a quick look at the current top five in the ESPN men’s pound-for-pound rankings:

• 1. Islam Makhachev (UFC lightweight champion) – Record: 26-1. Last fight: Submission win over Dustin Poirier on June 1, 2024. Next fight: January 18 vs. Arman Tsarukyan.
• 2. Alex Pereira (UFC light heavyweight champion) – Record: 12-2. Last fight: TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. on October 5, 2024. Next fight: TBD.
• 3. Jon Jones (UFC heavyweight champion) – Record: 28-1, 1 NC. Last fight: TKO win over Stipe Miocic on November 16, 2024. Next fight: TBD.
• 4. Ilia Topuria (UFC featherweight champion) – Record: 16-0. Last fight: KO win over Max Holloway on October 26, 2024. Next fight: TBD.
• 5. Alexandre Pantoja (UFC flyweight champion) – Record: 29-5. Last fight: Technical submission win over Kai Asakura on December 7, 2024. Next fight: TBD.

It’s worth noting that Jon Jones made a triumphant return to the rankings after his dominant win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. The victory reestablished Jones as one of the sport’s all-time greats, and he now sits comfortably at No. 3.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Zhang Weili Reigns Supreme

On the women’s side, Zhang Weili continues to hold the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The UFC strawweight champion boasts a record of 25-3 and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Yan Xiaonan earlier this year. Her upcoming title defense against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 will be a must-watch event.

Here’s a snapshot of the top three in the women’s rankings:

1. Zhang Weili (UFC strawweight champion) – Record: 25-3. Last fight: Unanimous decision win over Yan Xiaonan on April 13, 2024. Next fight: February 8 vs. Tatiana Suarez.
2. Valentina Shevchenko (UFC flyweight champion) – Record: 23-4-1. Last fight: Unanimous decision win over Alexa Grasso on September 14, 2024. Next fight: TBD.
3. Cris Cyborg (Bellator featherweight and PFL Super Fights champion) – Record: 28-2, 1 NC. Last fight: Unanimous decision win over Larissa Pacheco on October 19, 2024. Next fight: TBD.

What’s Next for Pantoja?

So, what’s next for Alexandre Pantoja? While his next opponent hasn’t been announced, it’s clear that he’s cemented himself as a dominant force in the flyweight division. The question now is whether he can continue to rack up wins and eventually break into the top four of the pound-for-pound rankings. With fighters like Islam Makhachev, Alex Pereira, Jon Jones, and Ilia Topuria ahead of him, the competition is fierce, but Pantoja has proven time and again that he’s up for the challenge.

As we look ahead to 2025, the MMA landscape is as exciting as ever. With major fights on the horizon and rankings that are constantly shifting, fans have plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s Pantoja’s quest for greater recognition, Zhang Weili’s title defense, or the return of Jon Jones, the sport continues to deliver unforgettable moments.