For over 600 days, Islam Makhachev has held a dominant position as the sport`s pound-for-pound king. However, recent developments, particularly following UFC 317, suggest his long reign is now under significant threat.
Ilia Topuria has strongly expressed his ambition to face Makhachev in a legacy-defining bout. Although that specific matchup hasn`t materialized yet, Topuria has independently built a compelling case for the top spot. His impressive resume includes striking victories over high-profile former champions such as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. With Makhachev`s next title defense against Jack Della Maddalena still awaiting a confirmed date, the debate over Topuria`s standing relative to the current king is intensifying.
This debate is reflected in the latest panel votes. While Makhachev enjoyed a unanimous consensus for the No. 1 position entering June, the top spot is now shared among three fighters. Makhachev received three votes from the panel, Topuria garnered two, and the highly-regarded flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja secured one vote. Close behind, contenders like Merab Dvalishvili, Dricus du Plessis, Tom Aspinall, and Magomed Ankalaev are rapidly climbing the ranks and challenging the top contenders. Should Makhachev falter in his upcoming fight against Della Maddalena, there`s a real possibility he could drop multiple spots in the rankings, a notion that highlights the current volatility despite his previous accomplishments.
Simply put, the discussion surrounding the pound-for-pound rankings has become exciting and unpredictable once again.
A significant factor contributing to this shift is the formal departure of Jon Jones from competition and, consequently, from the rankings. While his place among the greatest fighters of all time is undisputed, his recent retirement announcement removes him from the current pound-for-pound list. Jones had been steadily falling in the rankings for months as it became increasingly clear that potential fights against top heavyweights like Tom Aspinall were unlikely. With his retirement finalized, the panel no longer faces the dilemma of including a fighter whose future in the sport was uncertain.
Recent Results for Ranked Fighters (Previous Ranking Shown):
- Ilia Topuria (No. 2) defeated Charles Oliveira (No. 17)
- Alexandre Pantoja (No. 3 tied) vs. Kai Kara-France
Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters:
- Dricus du Plessis (No. 5) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (No. 14) (UFC 319, Aug. 16)
- Max Holloway (No. 11) vs. Dustin Poirier (UFC 318, July 19)
- Movsar Evloev (No. 17) vs. Aaron Pico (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26)
Fighters Also Receiving Votes (Number of Ballot Appearances Shown):
- Francis Ngannou (2)
- Aljamain Sterling (2)
- Joshua Van (1)
- Mario Bautista (1)
- Brandon Moreno (1)
- Cory Sandhagen (1)
Falling Out of the Rankings (Previous Ranking Shown):
- Jon Jones (No. 15) (retirement)
