The significance of holding a UFC title has never been greater. While it`s long been understood that being a UFC champion meant you were likely the best in your weight class, the presence of major promotions like PRIDE, Bellator, and ONE Championship previously left room for debate.
Legends such as Fedor Emelianenko, Demetrious Johnson (after moving to ONE), Cris Cyborg, Megumi Fujii, and Ronda Rousey, along with notable Bellator athletes like Johnny Eblen, Patchy Mix, and Patricio Pitbull, all sparked discussions about how they stacked up against UFC titleholders or top contenders in their prime or division.
However, the current landscape is starkly different. In almost every division, the No. 1 ranked fighter is a UFC champion, often securing the top spot through unanimous voting. The heavyweight division is a rare exception, with some votes still going to former champion Francis Ngannou despite Tom Aspinall holding the current UFC title. Yet, Aspinall appears on the verge of solidifying his claim with just one successful undisputed title defense.
Given this dominance, the question arises: is there any compelling argument that a non-champion should currently be ranked No. 1 in their division? Consider undefeated prospects like Shavkat Rakhmonov, who missed a potential title shot and is now sidelined by injury while Jack Della Maddalena is lined up to challenge Islam Makhachev. Or Movsar Evloev, another undefeated fighter whose 8-0 UFC record wasn`t enough to secure a shot at the vacant featherweight title, which instead saw Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes compete.
Even Ilia Topuria`s claim as the top lightweight after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 could theoretically be debated, especially considering Arman Tsarukyan also recently defeated Oliveira and boasts a more extensive record at 155 pounds, although Topuria`s stunning knockout win makes this a difficult argument to pursue.
It`s evident that arguing against the clear dominance of the 11 current UFC champions requires quite a reach. Nevertheless, this doesn`t mean these top fighters are safe. Upcoming fights present significant risks. Dricus du Plessis defends his title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Kayla Harrison faces the return of Amanda Nunes, arguably the greatest female champion ever. And Jack Della Maddalena is set to challenge the seemingly unstoppable Islam Makhachev.
As we pass the halfway point of 2025, it`s plausible that many of these champions will retain their No. 1 spots by year`s end. Conversely, it would be no surprise if the remainder of the year brings several major upsets and changes to the divisional rankings.
