Islam Makhachev and Valentina Shevchenko Reach the Top in MMA Rankings
In a day full of emotions for mixed martial arts fans, Islam Makhachev and Valentina Shevchenko solidified their positions as number one in their respective weight categories in the ESPN rankings. Both fighters achieved resounding victories at UFC 322, securing their position at the top.
The Saturday’s event began with Makhachev and Shevchenko ranked second in their respective lists. However, at the end of the day, both athletes rose to first place after demonstrating their superiority in the octagon.
Although their paths were not identical, they both shared success. Shevchenko, flyweight champion, defended her title with a unanimous decision over Zhang Weili. Makhachev, for his part, proved his worth by dethroning Jack Della Maddalena in welterweight.
A key difference in their performances was the ranking level of their opponents. Shevchenko faced Zhang, who was ranked number one, while Makhachev defeated Della Maddalena, who was ranked eighth.
Men’s Pound-for-Pound Ranking
UFC Welterweight Champion. Previously ranked #2. Record: 28-1. Last fight: Unanimous decision victory against Jack Della Maddalena, November 15. Next fight: To be determined.
Makhachev fulfilled his promise to become a two-division champion, surpassing Della Maddalena at UFC 322. His victory ties him with Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history, with 16. Fans are eagerly awaiting a showdown with the current lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.
UFC Lightweight Champion. Previously ranked #1. Record: 17-0. Last fight: KO victory in the first round against Charles Oliveira, June 28th. Next fight: To be determined.
After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria focused on the lightweight division, where he captured the vacant title by defeating Oliveira at UFC 317.
UFC Bantamweight Champion. Record: 21-4. Last fight: Unanimous decision victory against Cory Sandhagen, October 4th. Next fight: December 6th against Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili has had an outstanding career in the bantamweight division, defeating Sean O’Malley twice and showing a remarkable improvement in his game. He defended his title in December, becoming the only champion in UFC history to defend a title four times in a year.
UFC Heavyweight Champion. Record: 15-3, 1 NC. Last fight: No contest (NC1) against Ciryl Gane, October 25. Next fight: To be defined.
Aspinall is considered one of the most talented heavyweights in the sport, dominating his opponents with unparalleled skill. His title defense was marred by an accidental eye poke that resulted in a “no contest” in his fight against Gane.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Record: 13-3. Last fight: Victory by TKO in the first round against Magomed Ankalaev, October 4th. Next fight: To be defined.
2024 consolidated Pereira as a star in the UFC. After a confrontation with Ankalaev at UFC 313, Pereira demonstrated his power with a TKO victory in the rematch at UFC 320.
UFC Middleweight Champion. Record: 15-0. Last fight: Victory by unanimous decision against Dricus Du Plessis, August 16. Next fight: To be determined.
After years of anticipation, Chimaev proved his worth at UFC 319, dominating Du Plessis and answering questions about his endurance. If he stays healthy, he has a great future.
UFC Flyweight Champion. Record: 30-5. Last fight: Submission victory in the third round against Kai Kara-France, June 28. Next fight: December 6 against Joshua Van.
The UFC flyweight king has accumulated four title defenses, including two main events in 2024. Pantoja is solidifying his dominance in the 125-pound division.
UFC Featherweight Champion. Previously ranked 9th. Record: 27-4. Last fight: Victory by unanimous decision against Diego Lopes, April 12th. Next fight: January 31st against Diego Lopes.
After a KO loss to Topuria, Volkanovski demonstrated his resilience by regaining the featherweight title at UFC 314.
UFC Welterweight. Previously ranked 8th. Record: 18-3. Last fight: Lost by unanimous decision against Islam Makhachev, November 15th. Next fight: To be determined.
Despite the loss to Makhachev, Della Maddalena remains in the top 10, demonstrating the depth of the welterweight division.
UFC Middleweight. Record: 23-3. Last fight: Unanimous decision loss against Khamzat Chimaev, August 16. Next fight: To be determined.
Du Plessis, before being defeated by Chimaev, had a streak of 11 consecutive victories in the middleweight division.
UFC Lightweight. Record: 27-8. Last fight: Victory by unanimous decision against Dustin Poirier, July 19. Next fight: To be defined.
Holloway has won four of his last five fights, showing his versatility between lightweight and featherweight.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Ranking
UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion. Previously ranked #2. Record: 26-4-1. Last fight: Unanimous decision victory against Zhang Weili, November 15th. Next fight: To be determined.
Shevchenko reaffirmed her position as the best flyweight in the world and as the overall number one, with a dominant performance against Zhang.
UFC Flyweight/Strawweight. Previously ranked 1. Record: 26-4. Last fight: Lost by unanimous decision against Valentina Shevchenko, November 15. Next fight: To be determined.
The weight change often presents challenges, and Zhang had a difficult night at UFC 322.
UFC Bantamweight Champion. Record: 19-1. Last fight: Victory by technical submission in the second round against Julianna Peña, on June 7. Next fight: January 24 against Amanda Nunes.
Harrison is quickly becoming a prominent figure in the UFC women’s divisions. Her victory over Pena at UFC 316 brought her to a 4-0 record in the UFC.
PFL featherweight. Record: 28-2, 1 NC. Last fight: Victory by unanimous decision against Larissa Pacheco, October 19, 2024. Next fight: December 13 against Sara Collins.
Cyborg remains a dominant figure, defeating Pacheco and pursuing the vacant PFL title against Collins.
UFC Flyweight. Record: 13-2. Last fight: TKO victory in the first round against Jasmine Jasudavicius, October 18. Next fight: To be defined.
Fiorot, after her fight against Shevchenko, has shown that she has the tools to become a champion.
UFC Strawweight Champion. Record: 16-5. Last fight: Victory by unanimous decision against Virna Jandiroba, October 25. Next fight: To be defined.
Dern has achieved an impressive rise, winning three consecutive fights.
UFC Flyweight. Record: 19-5-1. Last fight: Unanimous decision victory against Alexa Grasso, May 10. Next fight: To be determined.
Silva is shaping up to be a future UFC champion, with a style that has frustrated her opponents.
UFC Flyweight. Record: 14-2. Last fight: Submission victory in the second round against Tracy Cortez, November 15th. Next fight: To be determined.
Blanchfield avenged her 2019 loss against Cortez at UFC 322.
PFL Flyweight. Record: 14-0. Last fight: Unanimous decision victory against Sumiko Inaba, July 19. Next fight: February 7 against Denise Kielholtz.
Ditcheva won the PFL flyweight season last year.
UFC Bantamweight. Record: 12-6. Last fight: Submission loss in the second round against Kayla Harrison, June 7. Next fight: To be determined.
Peña is a two-time bantamweight champion, with a history of great moments in the UFC.
