Analyzing Risk: Which Dominant UFC Champions Could Be Dethroned?

UFC championship belts currently represent the pinnacle of mixed martial arts like never before. While for the past two decades, being a UFC champion generally meant you were the best in your division, the presence of other major organizations like PRIDE, Bellator, and ONE Championship sometimes sparked debate about who truly held the top spot globally.

Historically, legendary fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko in heavyweight (outside the octagon), Demetrious Johnson after moving to ONE (flyweight), and Bellator stars like Johnny Eblen or Patricio Pitbull demonstrated that elite talent existed beyond the UFC banner. Even pioneers in women`s MMA like Cris Cyborg and Megumi Fujii made their mark before women`s divisions were prominent in the UFC. However, the landscape has shifted significantly.

Examining recent rankings confirms this: nearly every division features a fighter unanimously voted as No. 1. The sole exception is heavyweight, where despite Tom Aspinall holding the UFC title, Francis Ngannou, who departed without losing his belt and has fought more recently, still received some support. This suggests Aspinall is likely just one successful title defense away from solidifying his undisputed top ranking.

Given this widespread consensus on the current UFC champions being the divisional leaders, the critical question arises: Are any of these dominant titleholders facing immediate threats? While strong contenders like the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov (who missed a welterweight title shot due to injury) or Movsar Evloev (undefeated but passed over for a featherweight title opportunity) exist, they aren`t the current direct challenge to the belt. The lightweight picture also presents complexity, with recent victories by both Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan over Charles Oliveira sparking debate, though Topuria`s spectacular knockout win gives him a strong claim.

Despite the arguments for alternative top contenders in certain divisions, it`s clear that the eleven current UFC champions are generally considered the best in their respective weight classes. However, this doesn`t mean their reign is secure. Several champions face significant risks in upcoming bouts that could see them lose their top spot.

For instance, Dricus du Plessis defends his middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August, a highly anticipated and dangerous matchup. In women`s bantamweight, Kayla Harrison faces the monumental task of overcoming the returning legend and arguably the greatest female fighter ever, Amanda Nunes. Furthermore, Jack Della Maddalena, the new welterweight champion, is set to face the seemingly unstoppable Pound-for-Pound No. 1 Islam Makhachev, a formidable test.

As we look towards the end of 2025, it`s possible these same dominant names could still be atop the rankings. Yet, given the high-stakes matchups ahead, it would be equally unsurprising to witness several significant shifts and new champions emerge before the year concludes, adding further twists to the divisional landscapes.

Recent Divisional Activities & Upcoming Bouts

Heavyweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 7 Curtis Blaydes def. Rizvan Kuniev, Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. No. 9 Serghei Spivac, No. 12 Phil De Fries def. Arkadiusz Wrzosek
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 5 Sergei Pavlovich vs. No. 8 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (UFC Shanghai, Aug. 23), No. 12 Marcin Tybura vs. Ante Delija (UFC Paris, Sept. 9), No. 15 (tied) Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira (UFC Nashville, July 12)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Anatoly Malykhin (2), Rizvan Kuniev (1)
• Falling Out of Rankings: No. 3 Jon Jones (retirement)

Light Heavyweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 8 Khalil Rountree def. No. 7 Jamahal Hill, No. 13 Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 5 Corey Anderson vs. Denis Goltsov (heavyweight bout) (PFL Africa, July 19), No. 13 Nikita Krylov vs. No. 15 Bogdan Guskov (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26), No. 14 Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang (UFC Shanghai, Aug. 23)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Anatoly Malykhin (2), Phil Davis (1), Roman Dolidze (1), Dovlet Yagshimuradov (1), Zhang Mingyang (1)

Middleweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 15 Fabian Edwards def. Josh Silveira
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 1 Dricus du Plessis vs. No. 2 Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 319, Aug. 16), No. 3 Nassourdine Imavov vs. No. 6 Caio Borralho (UFC Paris, Sept. 9), No. 7 Robert Whittaker vs. No. 10 Reinier de Ridder (UFC Baku, July 26), No. 8 Anthony Hernandez vs. No. 13 Roman Dolidze (UFC Vegas 109, Aug. 9), No. 9 Johnny Eblen vs. Costello van Steenis (PFL Africa, July 26), No. 11 Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page (UFC 319, Aug. 16), No. 12 Brendan Allen vs. Marvin Vettori (UFC 318, July 19), No. 14 Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov (UFC 317, June 28), No. 15 Fabian Edwards vs. Dalton Rosta (PFL 10, Aug. 21)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Roman Kopylov (2), Abus Magomedov (2), Gregory Rodrigues (1), Michael Page (1), Marvin Vettori (1)

Welterweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: Kamaru Usman def. No. 7 Joaquin Buckley, Thad Jean def. No. 10 Jason Jackson
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 11 Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates (UFC 319, Aug. 16), No. 12 Michael Page vs. Jared Cannonier (middleweight bout) (UFC 319, Aug. 16), No. 14 Thad Jean vs. Logan Storley (PFL 8, Aug. 1)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Carlos Prates (4), Stephen Thompson (3), Kevin Holland (2), Jason Jackson (2), Shamil Musaev (2), Rinat Fakhretdinov (1)

Lightweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: Ilia Topuria def. No. 3 Charles Oliveira, No. 9 (tied) Beneil Dariush def. No. 14 Renato Moicano, No. 9 (tied) Mateusz Gamrot def. Ludovit Klein, No. 11 Rafael Fiziev def. Ignacio Bahamondes
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 4 Max Holloway vs. No. 7 Dustin Poirier (UFC 318, July 19), No. 15 A.J. McKee vs. Akhmed Magomedov (featherweight bout) (PFL Africa, July 19)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Gadzhi Rabadanov (3), Benoit Saint Denis (1), Jalin Turner (1)
• Falling Out of Rankings: No. 1 Islam Makhachev (moving to welterweight)

Featherweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: N/A
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 2 Movsar Evloev vs. No. 10 Aaron Pico (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26), No. 3 Diego Lopes vs. No. 7 Jean Silva (Noche UFC, Sept. 13), No. 4 Brian Ortega vs. No. 8 Aljamain Sterling (UFC Shanghai, Aug. 23), No. 12 Patricio Pitbull vs. No. 14 Dan Ige (UFC 318, July 19), No. 15 (tied) Jesus Pinedo vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (PFL 8, Aug. 1)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Movlid Khaybulaev (2), Razhabali Shaydullaev (2), Calvin Kattar (1), Chepe Mariscal (1)

Bantamweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 1 Merab Dvalishvili def. No. 3 Sean O’Malley, No. 10 Mario Bautista def. No. 5 Patchy Mix, No. 11 Sergio Pettis def. Raufeon Stots, No. 15 Magomed Magomedov def. Sarvarjon Khamidov
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 5 Petr Yan vs. Marcus McGhee (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Montel Jackson (3), Magomed Magomedov (2), Henry Cejudo (1), Marcus McGhee (1)

Flyweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 1 Alexandre Pantoja def. No. 6 Kai Kara-France, Joshua Van def. No. 2 (tied) Brandon Royval), No. 9 Muhammad Mokaev def. Thomas Assis
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 8 Amir Albazi vs. No. 9 Tatsuro Taira (UFC Vegas 108, Aug. 2), No. 11 Alex Perez vs. No. 12 Steve Erceg, No. 13 Asu Almabayev vs. No. 15 Ramazan Temirov (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Kai Asakura (2), Matheus Nicolau (2), Charles Johnson (1), Hiromasa Ougikubo (1), Tagir Ulanbekov (1)

Women`s Bantamweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 1 Kayla Harrison def. No. 2 Julianna Peña, No. 4 Ketlen Vieira def. No. 5 (tied) Macy Chiasson
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 10 Karol Rosa vs. Nora Cornolle (UFC Vegas 108, Aug. 2)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Joselyne Edwards (2), Nora Cornolle (1)

Women`s Flyweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: No. 8 Liz Carmouche def. Elora Dana, No. 10 Rose Namajunas def. No. 15 Miranda Maverick, Tracy Cortez def. No. 13 Viviane Araujo
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 5 Dakota Ditcheva vs. Sumiko Inaba (PFL Africa, July 19), No. 8 Liz Carmouche vs. Jena Bishop (PFL 9, Aug. 15), No. 13 Amanda Ribas vs. Tabatha Ricci (strawweight bout) (UFC Abu Dhabi, July 26)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Jena Bishop (2), Jessica Andrade (1), Karine Silva (1), Ariane da Silva (1)

Women`s Strawweight

• Recent Results for Ranked Fighters: (None listed)
• Upcoming Bouts Featuring Ranked Fighters: No. 5 Jessica Andrade vs. No. 11 Loopy Godinez (UFC 319, Aug. 16), No. 8 Iasmin Lucindo vs. No. 13 Angela Hill (UFC Vegas 109, Aug. 9), No. 10 Amanda Ribas vs. No. 12 Tabatha Ricci (UFC 318, July 19)
• Fighters Also Receiving Votes: Luana Pinheiro (3)