MMA divisional rankings — Alexandre Pantoja’s takeover is among big changes

Alexandre Pantoja had defeated Brandon Moreno twice before, but last Saturday at UFC 290, Moreno really put Pantoja to the test in their men’s flyweight title bout.

Pantoja passed the best, though by the slimmest of margins, in a split-decision victory that made him the champion.

With that ascension, Pantoja also takes over the top spot among 125-pound men in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.

There’s also a change at the top of the women’s bantamweight top 10, caused by the retirement of Amanda Nunes, who reigned in that UFC division as well as featherweight. With “The Lioness” gone, everyone else in the rankings moves up a spot. Julianna Peña takes over at No. 1, and Pannie Kianzad claims the final spot.

For the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings, click here. For a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes, click here.

Note: Results are current; rankings as of July 12. In order 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.

HeavyweightLight heavyweightMiddleweightWelterweight
LightweightMen’s featherweightMen’s bantamweight
Men’s flyweightWomen’s bantamweightWomen’s flyweightStrawweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

1. Jon Jones

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub1) Ciryl Gane, March 4, 2023
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Stipe Miocic


2. Sergei Pavlovich

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1
Last: W (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Ciryl Gane

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-2
Last: L (Sub1) Jon Jones, March 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 2 vs. Serghei Spivac


4. Curtis Blaydes

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Sergei Pavlovich, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Tai Tuivasa

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: L (KO1) Sergei Pavlovich, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


6. Tom Aspinall

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: L (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, July 23, 2022
Next: July 22 vs. Marcin Tybura


7. Serghei Spivac

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3
Last: W (Sub1) Derrick Lewis, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 2 vs. Ciryl Gane


8. Alexander Volkov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-10
Last: W (TKO1) Alexandr Romanov, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Ryan Bader

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 31-7, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) Fedor Emelianenko, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Jailton Almeida

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2
Last: W (SUB1) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, May 13, 2023
Next: TBD


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Jamahal Hill

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Glover Teixeira, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Jan Blachowicz

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-9-1
Last: D (SD) Magomed Ankalaev, Dec.10, 2022
Next: July 29 vs. Alex Pereira


3. Magomed Ankalaev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1-1
Last: D (SD) Jan Blachowicz, Dec. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Vadim Nemkov

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 17-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Yoel Romero, June 16, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Corey Anderson

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 17-6, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Phil Davis, June 16, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Nikita Krylov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-9
Last: W (Sub1) Ryan Spann, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Johnny Walker

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7
Last: W (SD) Anthony Smith, May 13, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Anthony Smith

Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-18
Last: L (UD) Johnny Walker, May 13, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Phil Davis

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 24-7, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Corey Anderson, June 16, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Ryan Spann

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-8
Last: L (Sub1) Nikita Krylov, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD


MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Israel Adesanya

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 24-2
Last: W (TKO2) Alex Pereira, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD vs. Dricus Du Plessis


2. Alex Pereira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-2
Last: L (TKO2) Israel Adesanya, April 8, 2023
Next: July 29 vs. Jan Blachowicz


3. Dricus du Plessis

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 20-2
Last: W (TKO2) Robert Whittaker, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD vs. Israel Adesanya


4. Robert Whittaker

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 24-7
Last: L (TKO2) Dricus Du Plessis, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Jared Cannonier

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 17-6
Last: W (UD) Marvin Vettori, Jube 17, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Marvin Vettori

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 19-7-1
Last: L (UD) Jared Cannonier, June 17, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Paulo Costa

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) Luke Rockhold, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: July 29 vs. Ikram Aliskerov


8. Johnny Eblen

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 13-0
Last: W (UD) Anatoly Tokov, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 23 vs. Fabian Edwards


9. Sean Strickland

Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-5
Last: W (TKO2) Abus Magomedov, July 1, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Derek Brunson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-9
Last: L (TKO2) Dricus Du Plessis, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD


WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Leon Edwards

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-3, 1 NC
Last: W (MD) Kamaru Usman, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Kamaru Usman

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3
Last: L (MD) Leon Edwards, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Belal Muhammad

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Gilbert Burns, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Khamzat Chimaev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0
Last: W (Sub1) Kevin Holland, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Gilbert Burns

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-6
Last: L (UD) Belal Muhammad, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Yaroslav Amosov

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 27-0
Last: W (UD) Logan Storley, Feb. 25, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-0
Last: W (Sub3) Geoff Neal, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Stephen Thompson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6-1
Last: W (TKO4) Kevin Holland, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: July 29 vs. Michel Pereira


9. Geoff Neal

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5
Last: L (Sub3) Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 4, 2023
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Ian Garry


10. Sean Brady

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-1
Last: L (TKO2) Belal Muhammad, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachev

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-1
Last: W (UD) Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Charles Oliveira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 34-9, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) Beneil Dariush, June 10, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Beneil Dariush

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-5-1
Last: L (TKO1) Charles Oliveira, June 10, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Justin Gaethje

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4
Last: W (MD) Rafael Fiziev, March 18, 2023
Next: July 29 vs. Dustin Poirier


5. Dustin Poirier

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub3) Michael Chandler, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: July 29 vs. Justin Gaethje


6. Michael Chandler

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (Sub3) Dustin Poirier, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD vs. Conor McGregor


7. Rafael Fiziev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-7
Last: L (MD) Justin Gaethje, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Mateusz Gamrot

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-2, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Jalin Turner, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Arman Tsarukyan

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 20-3
Last: W (TKO3) Joachim Silva, June 17, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Rafael dos Anjos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-14
Last: W (Sub2) Bryan Barberena, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: Aug. 12 vs. Vicente Luque


MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Alexander Volkanovski

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 26-2
Last: W (TKO3) Yair Rodriguez, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Max Holloway

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-7
Last: W (UD) Arnold Allen, April 15, 2023
Next: Aug. 26 vs. Chan Sung Jung


3. Yair Rodriguez

Promotion: UFC interim champion
Record: 15-4, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO3) Alexander Volkanovski, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Patricio Freire

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 35-6
Last: L (UD) Sergio Pettis, June 16, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Brian Ortega

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Yair Rodriguez, July 16, 2022
Next: TBD


6. A.J. McKee

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 20-1
Last: W (UD) Roberto de Souza, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: July 30 vs. Patricky Freire


7. Ilia Topuria

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-0
Last: W (UD) Josh Emmett, June 24, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Josh Emmett

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-4
Last: L (UD) Ilia Topuria, June 24, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Arnold Allen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2
Last: L (UD) Max Holloway, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Calvin Kattar

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-7
Last: L (TKO2) Arnold Allen, Oct. 29, 2022
Next: TBD


MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Aljamain Sterling

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-3
Last: W (SD) Henry Cejudo, May 6, 2023
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Sean O’Malley


2. Merab Dvalishvili

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: W (UD) Petr Yan, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Henry Cejudo

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3
Last: L (SD) Aljamain Sterling, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Sean O’Malley

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Petr Yan, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Aljamain Sterling


5. Cory Sandhagen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: W (SD) Marlon Vera, March 25, 2023
Next: Aug. 5 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov


6. Petr Yan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-5
Last: L (UD) Merab Dvalishvili, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Sergio Pettis

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 23-5
Last: W (UD) Patricio Freire, June 16, 2023
Next: TBD vs. Patchy Mix


8. Marlon Vera

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-8-1
Last: L (SD) Cory Sandhagen, March 25, 2023
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Pedro Munhoz


9. Rob Font

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-6
Last: W (TKO1) Adrian Yanez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Patchy Mix

Promotion: Bellator interim champion
Record: 18-1
Last: W (KO1) Raufeon Stots, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD vs. Sergio Pettis


MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexandre Pantoja

Promotion: UFC champion
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 26-5
Last: W (SD) Brandon Moreno, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Brandon Moreno

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 21-7-2
Last: L (SD) Alexandre Pantoja, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Demetrious Johnson

Promotion: One Championship champion
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 25-4-1
Last: W (UD) Adriano Moraes, May 5, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Deiveson Figueiredo

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 21-3-1
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Amir Albazi

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-1
Last: W (SD) Kai Kara-France, June 3, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Kai Kara-France

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-11, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Amir Albazi, June 3, 2023
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Manel Kape


7. Adriano Moraes

Promotion: One Championship
Record: 20-5
Last: L (UD) Demetrious Johnson, May 5, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Brandon Royval

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-6
Last: W (KO1) Matheus Nicolau, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Matheus Nicolau

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3-1
Last: L (KO1) Brandon Royval, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Manel Kape

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-6
Last: W (UD) David Dvorak, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: Sept. 10 vs. Kai Kara-France


WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Julianna Peña

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 11-5
Last: L (UD) Amanda Nunes, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD


2. Raquel Pennington

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 15-8
Last: W (SD) Ketlen Vieira, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Ketlen Vieira

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 13-3
Last: L (SD) Raquel Pennington, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: July 22 vs. Pannie Kianzad


4. Holly Holm

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 15-6
Last: W (UD) Yana Santos, March 25, 2023
Next: July 15 vs. Mayra Bueno Silva


5. Irene Aldana

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 14-7
Last: L (UD) Amanda Nunes, June 10, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Yana Santos

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 14-8, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Karol Rosa, July 1, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Sara McMann

Promotion: Bellator
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 14-6
Last: W (UD) Arlene Blencowe, April 21, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Macy Chiasson

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 8-3
Last: L (KO3) Irene Aldana, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Norma Dumont

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 9-2
Last: W (UD) Karol Rosa, April 22, 2023
Next: July 15 vs. Chelsea Chandler


10. Pannie Kianzad

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 16-6
Last: W (UD) Lina Lansberg, April 26, 2022
Next: July 22 vs. Ketlen Vieira


WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexa Grasso

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-3
Last: W (Sub4) Valentina Shevchenko, March 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 16 vs. Valentina Shevchenko


2. Valentina Shevchenko

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4
Last: L (Sub4) Alexa Grasso, March 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 16. vs. Alexa Grasso


3. Manon Fiorot

Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-1
Last: W (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: Sept. 2 vs. Rose Namajunas


4. Erin Blanchfield

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (Sub2) Jessica Andrade, Feb. 18, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Jessica Andrade

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-11
Last: L (KO1) Yan Xiaonan, May 6, 2023
Next: Aug. 5 vs. Tatiana Suarez


6. Liz Carmouche

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 19-7
Last: W (Sub4) DeAnna Bennett, April 21, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Katlyn Chookagian

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Manon Fiorot, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


8. Lauren Murphy

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: L (UD) Jessica Andrade, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Juliana Velasquez

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 12-2
Last: L (Sub2) Liz Carmouche, Dec. 9, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Jennifer Maia

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-9-1
Last: W (UD) Casey O’Neill, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD


STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weili

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-2
Last: W (Sub2) Carla Esparza, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Amanda Lemos


2. Carla Esparza

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7
Last: L (Sub2) Zhang Weili, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD


3. Amanda Lemos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2-1
Last: W (TKO3) Marina Rodriguez, Nov. 5, 2022
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Zhang Weili


4. Yan Xiaonan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3, 1 NC
Last: W (KO1) Jessica Andrade, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Virna Jandiroba

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3
Last: W (UD) Marina Rodriguez, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Marina Rodriguez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3-2
Last: L (UD) Virna Jandiroba, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Mackenzie Dern

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-3
Last: W (UD) Angela Hill, May 20, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Amanda Ribas

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-4
Last: L (TKO2) Maycee Barber, June 24, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Luana Pinheiro

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (SD) Michelle Waterson-Gomez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-11
Last: L (SD) Luana Pinheiro, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD

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