Islam Makhachev has maintained his position atop the pound-for-pound rankings for well over 600 days, a remarkable feat. However, recent performances and the rise of new threats mean his reign faces its most significant challenge yet.
Ilia Topuria, the undefeated Featherweight champion, has emphatically stated his claim for pound-for-pound supremacy. While a potential superfight with Makhachev remains a future prospect, Topuria`s dominant knockout victory over long-reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 has undeniably put him in the conversation for the top spot.
Makhachev recently defended his Lightweight title successfully against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302, further solidifying his resume. Yet, the pressure from other elite fighters is mounting, fueling the debate over who is truly the sport`s best fighter regardless of weight class.
The expert panel`s votes reflect this shift. While Makhachev previously enjoyed a clean sweep, the latest ballots show the No. 1 position is now shared. Makhachev still leads in votes, but Topuria has garnered strong support, and even Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja received a first-place vote. Fighters like Merab Dvalishvili, Dricus du Plessis, Tom Aspinall, and Magomed Ankalaev are also making significant climbs and are hot on the heels of the leaders, indicating a highly competitive landscape at the top of the sport.
Simply put, the discussion around the pound-for-pound rankings is vibrant and engaging once more.
A significant factor in this renewed energy is the departure of Jon Jones from the rankings. The former heavyweight champion recently announced his retirement, leading to his removal from the official list.
Jones` ranking status had been a point of discussion for months, especially given the uncertainty around his fighting future and potential matchups, particularly against interim champion Tom Aspinall. His official retirement clarifies the picture at heavyweight and simplifies the structure of the pound-for-pound list by removing a long-standing, albeit recently inactive, figure.
Recent Notable Results for Top Contenders:
- Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier (UFC 302)
- Ilia Topuria defeated Alexander Volkanovski (UFC 298)
- Alexandre Pantoja defeated Steve Erceg (UFC 301)
- Merab Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo (UFC 298)
- Dricus du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland (UFC 297)
Fighters Also Receiving Votes:
- Francis Ngannou
- Aljamain Sterling
- Joshua Van
- Mario Bautista
- Brandon Moreno
- Cory Sandhagen
Removed from Rankings:
Jon Jones (Retirement)
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham