The ongoing debate over Jon Jones’ place in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings has reached a conclusion as the former champion officially retired. This development prompted a comprehensive reshuffle of both the heavyweight and pound-for-pound divisions in the UFC’s recent rankings update, released following Khalil Rountree Jr.’s dominant victory over Jamahal Hill at UFC Baku last weekend.

Rountree’s impressive performance earned him a breakthrough spot inside the light heavyweight Top 5, marking a significant milestone in his MMA career and shaking up the competitive landscape of the 205-pound division.

Inside the UFC Rankings Voting Process

The UFC rankings are determined through a voting panel comprised of media members who assess fighters based on their recent activity and overall performance. Only active UFC fighters are eligible to be ranked, and campaigners may appear in multiple weight divisions if eligible.

Champions and interim champions automatically occupy the highest positions within their weight classes, thus excluding them from the rankings for those divisions. However, champions remain contenders in the pound-for-pound rankings, where fighters across divisions are compared on a universal scale.

“Rankings are generated by a voting panel made up of media members. The media members were asked to vote for who they feel are the top fighters in the UFC by weight-class and pound-for-pound. A fighter is only eligible to be voted on if they are in active status in the UFC. A fighter can appear in more than one weight division at a time. The champion and interim champion are considered to be in the top positions of their respective divisions and therefore are not eligible for voting by weight-class. However, the champions can be voted on for the pound-for-pound rankings.” —UFC Media Panel

Men’s Pound-for-Pound and Weight Class Rankings Overview

The latest men’s pound-for-pound leaderboard features Islam Makhachev leading the list, followed by Merab Dvalishvili and Ilia Topuria climbing three spots. New entries and movements highlight the dynamic competition, including Khamzat Chimaev entering the rankings for the first time.

In the light heavyweight division, Magomed Ankalaev retains the championship while Khalil Rountree Jr. rises to number four after his recent win. Other notable rankings in this class include Alex Pereira at number one and Jiri Prochazka sitting third.

The heavyweight category, now led by champion Tom Aspinall, shows a reshaped order with Ciryl Gane moving up and several fighters gaining upward momentum, such as Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich. Khalil Rountree’s placement as number four in light heavyweight positions him as a serious contender following the absence of Jon Jones.

Highlights from Other Divisions and Women’s Rankings

The flyweight division remains tightly contested with champion Alexandre Pantoja maintaining the top status. Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno hold the next spots, underscoring a vibrant field at 125 pounds.

Bantamweight’s champion Merab Dvalishvili continues to dominate, with Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov leading challengers. In featherweight, Alexander Volkanovski sits as titleholder, with Max Holloway and Diego Lopes rounding out prominent contenders.

On the women’s side, Valentina Shevchenko holds the top pound-for-pound ranking, while Zhang Weili and Kayla Harrison track closely behind. The women’s strawweight, flyweight, and bantamweight divisions also offer tight races, with champions maintaining solid leads but facing strong competition from rising stars in their respective ranks.

Upcoming UFC Event Expected to Influence Rankings

Fans can anticipate another significant shift in rankings following UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira, scheduled for June 28, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This ESPN+ pay-per-view event will draw heightened attention, particularly in the lightweight division, as fighters battle for improved positioning.

The outcomes of these fights will likely reshape the rankings once more, showcasing the ongoing evolution within the UFC and reflecting the fierce competition across all weight classes.