Islam Makhachev: The Unanimous No. 1 in MMA Rankings
It’s a rare feat to get a group of people to agree on anything, let alone something as subjective as sports rankings. Yet, the ESPN pound-for-pound voting panel has reached a consensus, unanimously declaring Islam Makhachev as the No. 1 fighter in MMA. This decision comes on the heels of Makhachev’s quick, dominant submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. The victory was so convincing that it swayed any remaining skeptics who were hesitant to place the 33-year-old Dagestani at the top of their lists.
Before this weekend, Makhachev was already the consensus No. 1, but there were still three other fighters who received first-place votes in the last rankings update. Now, with his latest triumph, Makhachev has solidified his position at the pinnacle of the sport. His record now stands at an impressive 27-1, and he has become the first person in the UFC to defend the lightweight title four times, tying Kamaru Usman for the second-longest winning streak in UFC history, at 15.
While Makhachev remains at the top, another fighter made a significant leap in the rankings. Merab Dvalishvili surged into the top five, moving up from No. 8, after successfully defending his bantamweight belt against Umar Nurmagomedov for his 12th win in a row.
For those interested in the ESPN divisional MMA rankings, you can click here.
Note: Results are current; rankings as of Jan. 22. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.
Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings
Let’s dive into the top fighters in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings:
- 1. Islam Makhachev – UFC lightweight champion, Record: 27-1, Last: W (Sub1) vs. Renato Moicano, Jan. 18, 2025
- 2. Alex Pereira – UFC light heavyweight champion, Record: 12-2, Last: W (TKO4) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Oct. 5, 2024
- 3. Jon Jones – UFC heavyweight champion, Record: 28-1, 1 NC, Last: W (TKO3) vs. Stipe Miocic, Nov. 16, 2024
- 4. Ilia Topuria – UFC featherweight champion, Record: 16-0, Last: W (KO3) vs. Max Holloway, Oct. 26, 2024
- 5. Merab Dvalishvili – UFC bantamweight champion, Record: 19-4, Last: W (UD) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Jan. 18, 2025
Islam Makhachev has truly staked his claim as the greatest lightweight of all time. His swift victory over Moicano at UFC 311 was not just another win; it was a statement. With his UFC-record fourth title defense, Makhachev has even won over UFC CEO Dana White, who now agrees that he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today. The only question that remains is whether Makhachev will continue his reign of dominance at 155 pounds or take his talents to welterweight in pursuit of a championship in a second weight class.
Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is gearing up for a challenging 2025. After a stellar 2024, Pereira is set to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. This matchup will test Pereira’s ability to handle a talented grappler, and he finds himself in the unfamiliar position of being the betting underdog. However, if anyone can overcome the odds, it’s “Poatan.”
Jon Jones, on the other hand, has ceded his place as the best pound-for-pound fighter to Makhachev, but the only thing preventing Jones from reclaiming the spot is activity. Should “Bones” finally accept Tom Aspinall’s challenge, he will have the opportunity to silence the doubters and once again prove why he has been called the greatest MMA fighter of all time.
Ilia Topuria, after knocking out two of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, is contemplating a move up to lightweight to challenge Makhachev. This potential matchup could have a major impact on the pound-for-pound rankings. However, it’s more likely that Topuria will defend his title one more time before departing the featherweight division.
Merab Dvalishvili’s stellar performance defending his bantamweight title against Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 has vaulted him into the top five. His endless gas tank broke Nurmagomedov and made oddsmakers look like fools for having the champion as a significant underdog. While he may not be the best bantamweight in UFC history yet, his current run of victories is one of the best we’ve ever seen in the division.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings
In the women’s division, Zhang Weili continues to dominate as the UFC strawweight champion. With a record of 25-3, Zhang is set to face Tatiana Suarez in February, which could prove to be her toughest title defense in years. Valentina Shevchenko, Cris Cyborg, Alexa Grasso, and Kayla Harrison round out the top five in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
As the MMA landscape continues to evolve, these rankings reflect the dynamic nature of the sport. With fighters like Makhachev and Zhang leading the charge, the future of MMA looks incredibly exciting.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
