UFC pound-for-pound fighter rankings: Valentina Shevchenko returns to top spot; Merab Dvalishvili makes debut
In a sport as dangerous and diverse as mixed martial arts, where there are so many ways to lose, it can be difficult to maintain greatness at the highest level and win memorable titles. It is even more difficult to regain a title once you lose it, especially in old age.
If it wasn’t already obvious that the UFC women’s flyweight division has a living legend in Valentina Shevchenko, the 36-year-old native of Kyrgyzstan reminded us of her greatness on Saturday on the grandest stage of all at UFC 306 inside The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The task of defeating breakout Mexican star Alexa Grasso in their third meeting for the 125-pound title owned by Shevchenko (and defended a UFC women’s record seven times) was made even more difficult as the event was themed as a love letter to Mexico’s fighting history and took place on Mexican Independence Day weekend. It was also a full year after their second meeting as both fighters paused to film “The Ultimate Fighter” in the spring as rival coaches.
But despite losing the first meeting and then being forced to a controversial draw in the rematch (where a questionable 10-8 card in Round 5 cost her the win), Shevchenko immortalized her name in MMA by winning a second title at flyweight. And she did so in utterly dominant fashion.
Yes, some were unhappy with the lack of action in the bout. But that didn’t stop Shevchenko from proving her greatness by silencing Grasso’s boxing with timely counter shots, then regularly knocking her down with ease and dominating her for long periods on the ground.
Shevchenko has proven she is a fitter, smarter and more explosive player at an age when diminishing returns at the title level are common. But Shevchenko has very few flaws and her passion to improve and develop her game is unmatched.
The only question left now is whether Shevchenko has enough time to make a significant addition to her resume. One path could be a return to 135 pounds, where a title fight against Kayla Harrison or even a trilogy with the returning Amanda Nunes could help Shevchenko stake her claim as the best in history.
Men’s pound-for-pound rankings
1. Islam Makhachev – Lightweight Champion
Record: 26-1 | Previous ranking: No. 1
A closer-than-expected win over future Hall of Famer Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June did little to dislodge Makhachev from the top spot in the rankings. Despite suffering an elbow to his left eye, Makhachev held off a late rally and put Poirier to sleep in Round 5. Makhachev’s win, which extends his streak to 14 (two short of Anderson Silva’s UFC record), also ties him for the most title defenses (3) in lightweight history.
2. Jon Jones – Heavyweight Champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 2
Jones’ first title defense at heavyweight, scheduled for last November against former champion Stipe Miocic, was canceled after “Bones” suffered a pectoral tear in training. Jones, who will turn 37 this summer, is expected to return this November against Miocic, despite critics who say Jones, who has threatened retirement, is deliberately avoiding interim titleholder Tom Aspinall.
3. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 11-2 | Last ranking: 3
The 36-year-old Brazilian slugger not only made headlines by defeating former champion Jamahal Hill at the biggest event in history at UFC 300 in April, but he was called up again (despite suffering a broken toe) to replace Conor McGregor at UFC 303 in July. In the main event of International Fight Week, Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka in their rematch. Next up is Khalil Rountree at UFC 307.
4. Ilya Topuria – Featherweight Champion
Record: 15-0 | Last ranking: 5
The changing of the guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February could produce the sport’s next breakout star. Topuria did everything he said he would against Alexander Volkanovski, including finishing him in the first two rounds. A spectacular title defense awaits Topuria against former champion Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
5. Dricus du Plessis – Middleweight Champion
Record: 22-2 | Last ranking: 5
Whatever you say about his heavy-handed and often raw forward-pressing style, the South African native has produced tremendous results during eight undefeated trips to the Octagon. The reigning 185-pound champion added Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August to his hit list, which also includes fellow former middleweight kings Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Simply put: DDP is on fire.
6. Merab Dvalishvili – Bantamweight Champion
Record: 18-4 | Last ranking: Unranked
After losing his first two UFC bouts, the Georgia native has put together an impressive 11-fight winning streak, culminating in a storybook win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 to win the title. The Cardio King neutralized and outmuscled the defending bantamweight king on the ground and outperformed him in striking before being forced to stop the “Suga Show” rally in Round 5.
7. Max Holloway – Featherweight
Record: 26-7 | Last ranking: 6
Don’t call it a comeback, Holloway has been one of the top P4P fighters for several years. But winning three fights in a row at the age of 32 is very encouraging for him. 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 will next try to regain his 145-pound title against Topuria in October.
8. Belal Muhammad – Welterweight Champion
Record: 24-4, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 7
Now is not the time to doubt or underestimate Muhammad’s world-class skills, having remained unbeaten in 11 fights since beating Leon Edwards to win the welterweight title in July at UFC 304. At 36, the proud Palestinian-American from Chicago also became the oldest fighter to win a UFC title at 170 pounds or less.
9. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight Champion
Record: 28-5 | Last ranking: 9
After relying more on his willpower than his P4P skills to win the flyweight title from Brandon Moreno last summer, the Brazilian submission specialist has been busy defending the title twice against Brandon Royval (in their rematch) and Steve Erceg. Pantoja’s passion and determination have become his calling cards of late as his title reign continues to grow.
10. Leon Edwards – Welterweight
Record: 21-4, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 10
Fighting in his hometown of England, Edwards did little to counter the brilliant boxing and relentless pressure of Belal Muhammad as “Rocky’s” inspirational 170-pound title reign came to an end at UFC 304. Edwards blamed the early morning start for his poor performance, though he rallied to outpoint Muhammad late in Round 5.
dropped out: Sean O’Malley
just missed: O’Malley, Robert Whittaker, Tom Aspinall, Sean Strickland, Umar Nurmagomedov
Women’s pound-for-pound rankings
1. Valentina Shevchenko – Flyweight Champion
Record: 24-4-1 | Last ranking: No. 3
The future Hall of Famer further cemented her legacy by becoming a two-time champion in her trilogy against Alexa Grasso at UFC 306. At 36, Shevchenko defied age and a stellar performance. One year off to beat Grasso With her grappling and counterpunching, she can win over five rounds. A lifelong student of martial arts, Shevchenko keeps getting better.
2. Zhang Weili – Strawweight Champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous ranking: No. 1
Zhang improved to 9-0 against everyone other than Rose Namajunas in the UFC when she defeated Chinese countrywoman Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 and did so by relying on her cardio, IQ and superior grappling to nearly earn early finishes twice. However, her toughest test is still to come in the form of Tatiana Suarez.
3. Manon Fiorot – Flyweight
Record: 12-1 | Last ranking: 4
A five-round shutout decision over the red-hot Erin Blanchfield appears to be the final hurdle the 34-year-old France native must overcome to win the title. Fiorot’s takedown defense and ability to avoid danger on the ground set the perfect stage for her precise striking to shine. For now, Fiorot will have to wait for the Grasso-Shevchenko rivalry to die down.
4. Tatiana Suarez – Strawweight
Record: 10-0 | Last ranking: 5
Despite missing nearly four years of her best years due to chronic injuries, Suarez is coming back in a big way. Her spectacular submission of former champion Jessica Andrade in August is enough to put Suarez back in the 115-pound title race. Few can match her wrestling ability alone, and even fewer can match her relentless competitive streak that fuels her resolve. Provided, of course, she stays healthy.
5. Alexa Grasso – Flyweight
Record: 16-4-1 | Last ranking: 2
The Mexico native failed to end her title rivalry with living legend Valentina Shevchenko with a bang in their trilogy bout at UFC 306. Instead, Grasso swept the five rounds, with the defending champion looking ineffective on her feet and regularly controlled on the ground. It was a solid performance that broke a period of stagnant growth for the well-rounded fighter.
dropped out: nobody
just missed: Kayla Harrison, Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, Raquel Pennington, Julianna Pena
