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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Employees Author
Aljamain Sterling remains to be the king of the lads’s bantamweight division.
His cut up choice win over former double champ Henry Cejudo in the primary occasion of UFC 288 on Saturday gave him the file for probably the most consecutive title defenses in division historical past (3).
Even with the loss in his return to the Octagon, Cejudo reenters the ESPN males’s bantamweight rankings on the No. 3 spot. Cejudo now sits behind solely Sterling and Sterling’s coaching associate Merab Dvalishvili within the high 10.
Welterweight Belal Muhammad and girls’s strawweight Yan Xiaonan additionally moved up the rankings within the respective divisions after getting wins on Saturday evening. Muhammad, who beat Gilbert Burns through unanimous choice, is anticipated to be the subsequent in line for a shot on the 170-pound title. And Yan, who beat Jessica Andrade through first-round knockout positioned herself within the dialog for to be the subsequent challenger for the 115-pound belt in opposition to reigning champ Zhang Weili.
For the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings, click here. For an inventory of present UFC champions in all weight courses, click here.
Observe: Outcomes are present; rankings as of Could 9. With a view to be eligible for the rankings, a fighter should have competed over the previous 12 months or should have an upcoming battle booked. Fighters who’ve been dropped for inactivity could be reinstated solely after they compete.
Heavyweight – Light heavyweight – Middleweight – Welterweight
Lightweight – Men’s featherweight – Men’s bantamweight
Men’s flyweight – Women’s bantamweight – Women’s flyweight – Strawweight
HEAVYWEIGHT (as much as 265 kilos)
1. Jon Jones  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 27-1, 1 NC
Final: W (Sub1) Ciryl Gane, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Sergei Pavlovich  
Promotion: UFC
File: 18-1
Final: W (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, April 22, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Ciryl Gane  
Promotion: UFC
File: 11-2
Final: L (Sub1) Jon Jones, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
4. Curtis Blaydes  
Promotion: UFC
File: 17-4, 1 NC
Final: L (TKO1) Sergei Pavlovich, April 22, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
5. Tai Tuivasa  
Promotion: UFC
File: 14-5
Final: L (KO1) Sergei Pavlovich, Dec. 3, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
6. Tom Aspinall  
Promotion: UFC
File: 12-3
Final: L (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, July 23, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
7. Serghei Spivac  
Promotion: UFC
File: 16-3
Final: W (Sub1) Derrick Lewis, Feb. 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Alexander Volkov  
Promotion: UFC
File: 36-10
Final: W (TKO1) Alexandr Romanov, March 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Ryan Bader  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 31-7, 1 NC
Final: W (TKO1) Fedor Emelianenko, Feb. 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
10. Jairzinho Rozenstruik  
Promotion: UFC
File: 13-4
Final: W (TKO1) Chris Daukaus, Dec. 10, 2022
Subsequent: Could 13 vs. Jailton Almeida
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (as much as 205 kilos)
1. Jiri Prochazka  
Promotion: UFC
File: 29-3-1
Final: W (Sub5) Glover Teixeira, June 11, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
2. Jamahal Hill  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 12-1, 1 NC
Final: W (UD) Glover Teixeira, Jan. 21, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Jan Blachowicz  
Promotion: UFC
File: 29-9-1
Final: D (SD) Magomed Ankalaev, Dec.10, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
4. Magomed Ankalaev  
Promotion: UFC
File: 18-1-1
Final: D (SD) Jan Blachowicz, Dec. 10, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
5. Vadim Nemkov  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 16-2, 1 NC
Final: W (UD) Corey Anderson, Nov. 18, 2022
Subsequent: June 16 vs. Yoel Romero
6. Aleksandar Rakic  
Promotion: UFC
File: 14-3
Final: L (TKO3) Jan Blachowicz, Could 14, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
7. Corey Anderson  
Promotion: Bellator
File: 16-6, 1 NC
Final: L (UD) Vadim Nemkov, Nov. 18, 2022
Subsequent: June 16 vs. Phil Davis
8. Rob Wilkinson  
Promotion: PFL
File: 18-2
Final: W (UD) Thiago Santos, April 1, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Nikita Krylov  
Promotion: UFC
File: 30-9
Final: W (Sub1) Ryan Spann, March 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
10. Anthony Smith  
Promotion: UFC
File: 36-17
Final: L (TKO2) Magomed Ankalaev, July 30, 2022
Subsequent: Could 13 vs. Johnny Walker
MIDDLEWEIGHT (as much as 185 kilos)
1. Israel Adesanya  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 24-2
Final: W (TKO2) Alex Pereira, April 8, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Alex Pereira  
Promotion: UFC
File: 7-2
Final: L (TKO2) Israel Adesanya, April 8, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Robert Whittaker  
Promotion: UFC
File: 24-6
Final: W (UD) Marvin Vettori, Sept. 3, 2022
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Dricus Du Plessis
4. Marvin Vettori  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-6-1
Final: W (UD) Roman Dolidze, March 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
5. Jared Cannonier  
Promotion: UFC
File: 16-6
Final: W (SD) Sean Strickland, Dec. 17, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
6. Dricus du Plessis  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-2
Final: W (TKO2) Derek Brunson, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Robert Whittaker
7. Paulo Costa  
Promotion: UFC
File: 14-2
Final: W (UD) Luke Rockhold, Aug. 20, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
8. Johnny Eblen  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 13-0
Final: W (UD) Anatoly Tokov, Feb. 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Sean Strickland  
Promotion: UFC
File: 26-5
Final: W (UD) Nassourdine Imavov, Jan. 14, 2023
Subsequent: July 1 vs. Abus Magomedov
10. Gegard Mousasi  
Promotion: Bellator
File: 49-8-2
Final: L (UD) Johnny Eblen, June 24, 2022
Subsequent: Could 12 vs. Fabian Edwards
WELTERWEIGHT (as much as 170 kilos)
1. Leon Edwards  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 21-3, 1 NC
Final: W (MD) Kamaru Usman, March 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Kamaru Usman  
Promotion: UFC
File: 20-3
Final: L (MD) Leon Edwards, March 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Belal Muhammad  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 5
File: 23-3, 1 NC
Final: W (UD) Gilbert Burns, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
4. Khamzat Chimaev  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 3
File: 12-0
Final: W (Sub1) Kevin Holland, Sept. 10, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
5. Gilbert Burns  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 4
File: 22-6
Final: L (UD) Belal Muhammad, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
6. Yaroslav Amosov  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 27-0
Final: W (UD) Logan Storley, Feb. 25, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
7. Shavkat Rakhmonov  
Promotion: UFC
File: 17-0
Final: W (Sub3) Geoff Neal, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Stephen Thompson  
Promotion: UFC
File: 17-6-1
Final: W (TKO4) Kevin Holland, Dec. 3, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
9. Geoff Neal  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-5
Final: L (Sub3) Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
10. Sean Brady  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-1
Final: L (TKO2) Belal Muhammad, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
LIGHTWEIGHT (as much as 155 kilos)
1. Islam Makhachev  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 23-1
Final: W (UD) Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Charles Oliveira  
Promotion: UFC
File: 33-9, 1 NC
Final: L (Sub2) Islam Makhachev, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: June 10 vs. Beneil Dariush
3. Beneil Dariush  
Promotion: UFC
File: 22-4-1
Final: W (UD) Mateusz Gamrot, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: June 10 vs. Charles Oliveira
4. Justin Gaethje  
Promotion: UFC
File: 24-4
Final: W (MD) Rafael Fiziev, March 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
5. Dustin Poirier  
Promotion: UFC
File: 29-7, 1 NC
Final: W (Sub3) Michael Chandler, Nov. 12, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
6. Michael Chandler  
Promotion: UFC
File: 23-8
Final: L (Sub3) Dustin Poirier, Nov. 12, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
7. Rafael Fiziev  
Promotion: UFC
File: 26-7
Final: L (MD) Justin Gaethje, March 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Mateusz Gamrot  
Promotion: UFC
File: 22-2, 1 NC
Final: W (SD) Jalin Turner, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Rafael dos Anjos  
Promotion: UFC
File: 32-14
Final: W (Sub2) Bryan Barberena, Dec. 3, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
10. Arman Tsarukyan  
Promotion: UFC
File: 18-3
Final: W (UD) Damir Ismagulov, Dec. 17, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (as much as 145 kilos)
1. Alexander Volkanovski  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 25-2
Final: L (UD) Islam Makhachev, Feb. 11, 2023
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Yair Rodriguez
2. Max Holloway  
Promotion: UFC
File: 24-7
Final: W (UD) Arnold Allen, April 15, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Yair Rodriguez  
Promotion: UFC interim champion
File: 15-3, 1 NC
Final: W (Sub2) Josh Emmett, Feb. 11, 2023
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Alexander Volkanovski
4. Patricio Freire  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 35-5
Final: W (UD) Kleber Koike Erbst, Dec. 31, 2022
Subsequent: June 16 vs. Sergio Pettis
5. Brian Ortega  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-3, 1 NC
Final: L (TKO1) Yair Rodriguez, July 16, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
6. A.J. McKee  
Promotion: Bellator
File: 20-1
Final: W (UD) Roberto de Souza, Dec. 31, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
7. Josh Emmett  
Promotion: UFC
File: 18-3
Final: L (Sub2) Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Arnold Allen  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-2
Final: L (UD) Max Holloway, April 15, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Calvin Kattar  
Promotion: UFC
File: 23-7
Final: L (TKO2) Arnold Allen, Oct. 29, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
10. Ilia Topuria  
Promotion: UFC
File: 13-0
Final: W (Sub2) Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 10, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (as much as 135 kilos)
1. Aljamain Sterling  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 23-3
Final: W (SD) Henry Cejudo, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Merab Dvalishvili  
Promotion: UFC
File: 16-4
Final: W (UD) Petr Yan, March 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Henry Cejudo  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: Unranked
File: 16-3
Final: L (SD) Aljamain Sterling, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
4. Sean O’Malley  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 3
File: 16-1, 1 NC
Final: W (SD) Petr Yan, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
5. Cory Sandhagen  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 4
File: 16-4
Final: W (SD) Marlon Vera, March 25, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
6. Petr Yan  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 5
File: 16-5
Final: L (UD) Merab Dvalishvili, March 11, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
7. Marlon Vera  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 6
File: 20-8-1
Final: L (SD) Cory Sandhagen, March 25, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Rob Font  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 7
File: 20-6
Final: W (TKO1) Adrian Yanez, April 8, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Patchy Mix  
Promotion: Bellator interim champion
Earlier rating: 8
File: 18-1
Final: W (KO1) Raufeon Stots, April 22, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
10. Song Yadong  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 9
File: 20-7-1, 1 NC
Final: W (TKO5) Ricky Simon, April 29, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (as much as 125 kilos)
1. Brandon Moreno  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 21-6-2
Final: W (TKO3) Deiveson Figueiredo, Jan. 21, 2023
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Alexandre Pantoja
2. Demetrious Johnson  
Promotion: One Championship champion
File: 31-4-1
Final: W (KO4) Adriano Moraes, Aug. 26, 2022
Subsequent: Could 5 vs. Adriano Moraes
3. Deiveson Figueiredo  
Promotion: UFC
File: 21-3-1
Final: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, Jan. 21, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
4. Kai Kara-France  
Promotion: UFC
File: 24-10, 1 NC
Final: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, July 30, 2022
Subsequent: June 3 vs. Amir Albazi
5. Alexandre Pantoja  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 6
File: 25-5
Final: W (Sub1) Alex Perez, July 30, 2022
Subsequent: July 8 vs. Brandon Moreno
6. Adriano Moraes  
Promotion: One Championship
Earlier rating: 5
File: 20-5
Final: L (KO4) Demetrious Johnson, Aug. 26, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
7. Brandon Royval  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-6
Final: W (KO1) Matheus Nicolau, April 15, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Matheus Nicolau  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-3-1
Final: L (KO1) Brandon Royval, April 15, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Rogerio Bontorin  
Promotion: Unsigned
File: 16-5, 2 1 NC
Final: L (KO2) Yuki Motoya, Dec. 31, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
10. Amir Albazi  
Promotion: UFC
File: 16-1
Final: W (KO3) Alessandro Costa, Dec. 17, 2022
Subsequent: June 3 vs. Kai Kara-France
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (as much as 135 kilos)
1. Amanda Nunes  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 22-5
Final: W (UD) Julianna Peña, July 30, 2022
Subsequent: June 10 vs. Irene Aldana
2. Julianna Peña  
Promotion: UFC
File: 11-5
Final: L (UD) Amanda Nunes, July 30, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
3. Raquel Pennington  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-8
Final: W (SD) Ketlen Vieira, Jan. 14, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
4. Ketlen Vieira  
Promotion: UFC
File: 13-3
Final: L (SD) Raquel Pennington, Jan. 14, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
5. Holly Holm  
Promotion: UFC
File: 15-6
Final: W (UD) Yana Santos, March 25, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
6. Irene Aldana  
Promotion: UFC
File: 14-6
Final: W (KO3) Macy Chiasson, Sept. 10, 2022
Subsequent: June 10 vs. Amanda Nunes
7. Yana Santos  
Promotion: UFC
File: 14-7, 1 NC
Final: L (UD) Holly Holm, March 25, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Sara McMann  
Promotion: Bellator
File: 14-6
Final: W (UD) Arlene Blencowe, April 21, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Macy Chiasson  
Promotion: UFC
File: 8-3
Final: L (KO3) Irene Aldana, Sept. 10, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
10. Norma Dumont  
Promotion: UFC
File: 9-2
Final: W (UD) Karol Rosa, April 22, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (as much as 125 kilos)
1. Alexa Grasso  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 16-3
Final: W (Sub4) Valentina Shevchenko, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
2. Valentina Shevchenko  
Promotion: UFC
File: 23-4
Final: L (Sub4) Alexa Grasso, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
3. Manon Fiorot  
Promotion: UFC
File: 10-1
Final: W (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
4. Erin Blanchfield  
Promotion: UFC
File: 11-1
Final: W (Sub2) Jessica Andrade, Feb. 18, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
5. Jessica Andrade  
Promotion: UFC
File: 24-10
Final: L (Sub2) Erin Blanchfield, Feb. 18, 2023
Subsequent: Could 6 vs. Yan Xiaonan
6. Liz Carmouche  
Promotion: Bellator champion
File: 19-7
Final: W (Sub4) DeAnna Bennett, April 21, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
7. Katlyn Chookagian  
Promotion: UFC
File: 18-5
Final: L (UD) Manon Fiorot, Oct. 22, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
8. Lauren Murphy  
Promotion: UFC
File: 16-6
Final: L (UD) Jessica Andrade, Jan. 21, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
9. Taila Santos  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-1
Final: L (SD) Valentina Shevchenko, June 11, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
10. Juliana Velasquez  
Promotion: Bellator
File: 12-2
Final: L (Sub2) Liz Carmouche, Dec. 9, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
STRAWWEIGHT (as much as 115 kilos)
1. Zhang Weili  
Promotion: UFC champion
File: 23-2
Final: W (Sub2) Carla Esparza, Nov. 12, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
2. Carla Esparza  
Promotion: UFC
File: 19-7
Final: L (Sub2) Zhang Weili, Nov. 12, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
3. Rose Namajunas  
Promotion: UFC
File: 11-5
Final: L (SD) Carla Esparza, Could 7, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
4. Amanda Lemos  
Promotion: UFC
File: 12-2-1
Final: W (TKO3) Marina Rodriguez, Nov. 5, 2022
Subsequent: TBD
5. Yan Xiaonan  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 6
File: 14-3, 1 NC
Final: W (KO1) Jessica Andrade, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
6. Virna Jandiroba  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 10
File: 19-3
Final: W (UD) Marina Rodriguez, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
7. Marina Rodriguez  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 5
File: 16-3-2
Final: L (UD) Virna Jandiroba, Could 6, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
8. Mackenzie Dern  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 7
File: 12-3
Final: L (MD) Yan Xiaonan, Oct. 1, 2022
Subsequent: Could 20 vs. Angela Hill
9. Amanda Ribas  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 8
File: 12-3
Final: W (UD) Viviane Araujo, March 4, 2023
Subsequent: TBD
10. Luana Pinheiro  
Promotion: UFC
Earlier rating: 9
File: 11-1
Final: W (SD) Michelle Waterson-Gomez, April 8, 2023
Subsequent: TBD