UFC Pound-for-Pound Fighter Rankings: Islam Makhachev remains the best in the sport after another dominant win

Despite the consensus opinion of UFC CEO Dana White, the best MMA fighter on the planet remains the promotion’s lightweight world champion.

Since suffering a stunning first-round knockout in just his second UFC fight in 2015, all Islam Makhachev has done is win, no matter what. And even though his UFC 302 title defense against Dustin Poirier this past weekend in Newark, New Jersey turned into a surprising thriller, all the result did was add to the impressive resume of everything Makhachev continues to accomplish. .

Makhachev (26-1), 32, ensured there was no debate about the result against Poirier by putting the beloved action star to sleep in the fifth round with a vicious choke. The win was Makhachev’s 14th in a row, putting him within two points of Anderson Silva’s UFC record, as the native of Dagestan, Russia, tied the promotion’s record for lightweight title defenses with three.

White said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference that he preferred the overall dominance of two-division champion and current heavyweight king Jon Jones. But activity is important in elite MMA and Jones, who is currently on a 16-month inactivity streak due to injury, has competed for just 128 seconds in the Octagon since 2020.

Fans and critics wouldn’t be wrong to call Jones the greatest fighter in MMA history, but that doesn’t mean he’s currently the best on display among the best fighters working. Makhachev fought eight times in the four years in which Jones only fought once.

Jones also sat out three years and waited until former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou left the promotion to return. And this year, Jones continues to be criticized by critics for how open he is to completely avoiding interim starter Tom Aspinall, while threatening to retire later this year.

There was a time, about three years ago, when critics tried to downplay Makhachev’s winning streak, citing the lack of elite talent he defeated. Fortunately for Makhachev, that narrative has been shattered after consecutive wins over Dan Hooker, Bobby Green, Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovksi (twice) and now Poirier, with stoppages over all opponents.

Following his win in Newark, Makhachev stated his hope that White and UFC brass would honor his plan to move up in weight and fight for the welterweight title. White seemed largely uninterested, noting that a rematch against the red-hot Arman Tsarukyan, who Makhachev defeated by competitive decision in 2019, would need to happen first.

But if Makhachev were to extend his winning streak to 15, it would be hard to deny him the chance to double his greatness, especially after years of tough weight cuts to 155 pounds.

For updated divisional rankings from CBS Sports, Click here.

Men’s weight-by-weight classification

1. Islam Makhachev – Lightweight Champion

Record: 26-1 | Previous Ranking: #1

A closer-than-expected victory over future Hall of Famer Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June did nothing to knock Makhachev out of the top spot in the rankings. Despite suffering a cut over his left eye from his elbow, Makhachev held off a late comeback and put Poirier to sleep in the fifth round. Makhachev’s victory, which extends his streak to 14 (two short of Anderson Silva’s UFC record), also moves him into a tie for the most title defenses (3) in lightweight history.

2. Jon Jones – heavyweight champion

Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous rating: 2

Jones’ first heavyweight title defense, scheduled for last November against former champion Stipe Miocic, was canceled after Jones suffered a torn chest during training. Jones, who turns 37 this summer, is expected to return against Miocic in November despite cries from critics that Jones, who has threatened to retire, is purposefully avoiding interim starter Tom Aspinall.

3. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Champion

Record: 10-2 | Previous rating: 3

Not only did the 36-year-old Brazilian slugger headline the biggest event in the promotion’s history, UFC 300, in April, but he also submitted former champion Jamahal Hill with the first significant punch he ever landed. In just eight fights in the UFC, “Poatan” has already earned a unique place in history. Next up is a rematch against former champion Jiri Prochazka.

4. Leon Edwards – welterweight champion

Record: 21-3, 1 NC | Previous rating: 4

Edwards followed up his UFC 286 trilogy victory over Kamaru Usman with a second title defense in December against longtime contender Colby Covington. Finally, longtime contender Belal Muhammed will get his chance at UFC gold when he challenges Edwards on the UFC 304 card in late July in Manchester, England.

5. Ilia Topuria – featherweight champion

Record: 15-0 | Previous rating: 5

A changing of the guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February could have produced the sport’s next superstar. Topuria did everything he said he would do against Alexander Volkanovski, including submitting him in the first two rounds. His accuracy was only surpassed by the power of a punch as Topuria patiently dismantled one of the best fighters in history.

6. Max Holloway – featherweight

Record: 26-7 | Previous rating: 6

Don’t call it a comeback, Holloway has been among the P4P elite for years. But it was that three-fight winning streak at the age of 32 that was so rejuvenating. Two years ago, after his third loss to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway’s future was in doubt. Now, he is the current BMF champion after knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 and a two-division title contender.

7. Sean O’Malley – bantamweight champion

Record: 17-1, 1 NC | Previous rating: 7

The “Suga Show” had possibly the best striking of his career in five rounds when he dominated Marlon Vera at UFC 299 to make his first title defense. O’Malley avenged the only loss of his professional career, but will have a tough challenge ahead as he is set to defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili this fall.

8. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight Champion

Record: 28-5 | Previous rating: 7

After relying far more on his iron will than his P4P skills to win the flyweight title from Brandon Moreno last summer, the Brazilian submission specialist has kept busy since then with two title defenses against Brandon Royval ( in their rematch) and Steve Erceg. Pantoja’s passion and dogged determination have become his calling card of late as his title reign continues to grow.

9. Dricus du Plessis – middleweight champion

Record: 21-2 | Previous rating: 9

Undefeated in his seven trips to the Octagon, the proud South African native can now call himself champion after beating Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 297 in January. Du Plessis, who called up former champion Israel Adesanya next, has evolved at an alarming rate to combine technique and a deep gas tank with his great power and takedown threat.

10. Merab Dvalishvili – bantamweight

Record: 17-4 | Previous rating: 10

By improving his winning streak to 10 fights, Dvalishvili finally secured a title shot thanks to his victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298. The victory now gives Dvalishvili three consecutive victories over former UFC champions. Dvalishvili, 33, has a gas tank like no other and remains a problem for any style of opponent he will face in his title campaign.

Give up: None
It has been lost: Sean Strickland, Alexander Volkanovski, Israel Adesanya, Aljamain Sterling, Dustin Poirier

Women’s weight-for-weight classifications

1. Zhang Weili – strawweight champion

Record: 25-3 | Previous Ranking: #1

Zhang improved to 9-0 in the UFC against everyone not named Rose Namajunas when she outpointed fellow Chinese Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 and did so by relying on her cardio, IQ and improved grappling after nearly scoring two early submissions. Her toughest test may yet be to come, in the form of Tatiana Suarez.

2. Alexa Grasso – flyweight champion

Record: 16-3-1 | Previous rating: 2

The Mexican teamed up with former champion Valentina Shevchenko to co-author an exciting and tactical 125-pound title rematch at Noche UFC. The result was a split draw as defending champions Grasso benefited from a controversial 10-8 final round score to narrow the defeat. The two fighters will train against each other on “The Ultimate Fighter” this spring, before the trilogy fight in September, scheduled to be in Las Vegas at The Sphere.

3. Valentina Shevchenko – flyweight

Record: 23-4-1 | Previous ranking: #3

The future all-time great nearly regained the flyweight title from Alexa Grasso in their September rematch. The result was a hard-fought draw, with Shevchenko openly considering an appeal afterwards. Now, at 36, Shevchenko will train alongside Grasso on TUF before a likely third meeting in September.

4. Manon Fiorot – flyweight

Record: 12-1 | Previous rating: 4

A five-round decision over the sizzling Erin Blanchfield appears to be the final hurdle the 34-year-old Frenchman will have to overcome on his way to a title shot. Fiorot’s takedown defense and ability to avoid danger on the ground created the perfect setting for his precise striking to shine. For now, Fiorot will need to wait for the Grasso-Shevchenko rivalry to end.

5. Tatiana Suarez – strawweight

Record: 10-0 | Previous classification: NR

Despite missing almost four years of his prime due to chronic injuries, Suarez is back on the scene in a big way. Her dominant finish over former champion Jessica Andrade in August could be all Suarez needs to immediately return to 115-pound title contention. Few can match her fighting prowess alone, and even fewer can match the relentless competitive streak that fuels her determination.

Give up: None
It has been lost: Kayla Harrison, Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, Raquel Pennington, Julianna Pena