Islam Makhachev Ascends: UFC Champion Dominates Welterweight

alofoke
4 Min Read

Attention, mixed martial arts fanatics! Alofoke Deportes brings you the latest updates in the UFC world. The divisional rankings have undergone significant changes, with Islam Makhachev leading the transformation.

Makhachev Rises to the Top

Islam Makhachev, after his impressive victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, has climbed to the top of the welterweight division. This triumph not only grants him the championship, but also positions him as number one in a category superior to the one he previously dominated. Makhachev’s victory is only one part of the significant changes that UFC 322 has generated. The knockout victories of Michael Morales and Carlos Prates have boosted their positions in the top 10.

Moves in Other Divisions

Makhachev’s departure from the lightweight division has allowed Ilia Topuria to rise to the top spot. In addition, Beneil Dariush’s knockout loss to Benoît Saint Denis has facilitated the entry of Saint Denis and Renato Moicano into the rankings.

Women’s Ranking and Upcoming Events

Regarding the women’s rankings, Zhang Weili, after her defeat against Valentina Shevchenko, has not defined in which division she will compete. For now, she remains in the strawweight ranking.

Below, we present the rankings of the different weight categories, updated to November 18th:

Tom Aspinall's first heavyweight title defense ended in a no contest at UFC 321.
Tom Aspinall’s first heavyweight title defense ended in a no contest at UFC 321.

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

  • Tom Aspinall (UFC Champion)
  • Ciryl Gane
  • Curtis Blaydes
  • Alexander Volkov
  • Sergei Pavlovich
  • Jailton Almeida
  • Waldo Cortes-Acosta
  • Renan Ferreira
  • Serghei Spivac
  • Derrick Lewis
Alex Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev with a vengeance at UFC 320 to regain the light heavyweight title.
Alex Pereira knocked out Magomed Ankalaev with a vengeance at UFC 320 to regain the light heavyweight title.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

  • Alex Pereira (UFC Champion)
  • Magomed Ankalaev
  • Jiří Procházka
  • Carlos Ulberg
  • Khalil Rountree Jr.
  • Azamat Murzakanov
  • Dominick Reyes
  • Aleksandar Rakić
  • Jamahal Hill
  • Corey Anderson (PFL Champion)
Khamzat Chimaev is right where he long was expected to be: at the top of the UFC middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev is right where he long was expected to be: at the top of the UFC middleweight division.

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

  • Khamzat Chimaev (UFC Champion)
  • Dricus du Plessis
  • Nassourdine Imavov
  • Sean Strickland
  • Israel Adesanya
  • Anthony Hernandez
  • Caio Borralho
  • Brendan Allen
  • Reinier de Ridder
  • Robert Whittaker
Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight title months ago, but winning the welterweight belt at UFC 322 made him a two-division champion.
Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight title months ago, but winning the welterweight belt at UFC 322 made him a two-division champion.

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

  • Islam Makhachev (UFC Champion)
  • Jack Della Maddalena
  • Belal Muhammad
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov
  • Ian Machado Garry
  • Michael Morales
  • Kamaru Usman
  • Sean Brady
  • Carlos Prates
  • Joaquin Buckley
Ilia Topuria had vacated the featherweight title before UFC 317, but winning the lightweight belt provided a glorious photo op.
Ilia Topuria had vacated the featherweight title before UFC 317, but winning the lightweight belt provided a glorious photo op.

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

  • Ilia Topuria (UFC Champion)
  • Charles Oliveira
  • Max Holloway
  • Justin Gaethje
  • Usman Nurmagomedov (PFL Champion)
  • Paddy Pimblett
  • Mateusz Gamrot
  • Rafael Fiziev
  • Benoît Saint Denis
  • Renato Moicano
Alexander Volkanovski recaptured the featherweight belt by beating Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
Alexander Volkanovski recaptured the featherweight belt by beating Diego Lopes at UFC 314.

FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

  • Alexander Volkanovski (UFC Champion)
  • Movsar Evloev
  • Diego Lopes
  • Yair Rodriguez
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