Following his spectacular first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 317 last Saturday, Ilia Topuria has not only secured the vacant lightweight title but has also claimed the top position in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. This shift in rankings has led to Jon Jones being removed, while Islam Makhachev has been surpassed by Topuria as the premier fighter in mixed martial arts today.
Ilia Topuria’s Historic Rise to Lightweight Champion and No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter
Ilia Topuria, 28, who is of Georgian descent, born in Germany, and celebrated as a national sports figure in Spain, achieved a landmark victory last weekend by brutally knocking out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant 155-pound title. This stunning win made Topuria the UFC’s first-ever unbeaten two-division champion, elevating him beyond just a titleholder to arguably the best fighter on the planet.
In the highly anticipated bout, Topuria demonstrated toughness and adaptability, overcoming an early forearm strike to the face and reversing a grappling challenge along the fence to gain top ground control. His striking, particularly his boxing, is emerging as one of the most precise and devastating in UFC history, characterized by perfectly timed hooks delivered with both power and accuracy that can end fights instantly.
Topuria is now the breakout star UFC eagerly needed in 2024, and he is already being eyed as the new face of the organization. Despite UFC’s insistence that he not immediately challenge Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champion, Topuria’s success at 155 pounds suggests his potential to become the company’s next global icon, much like Conor McGregor was in his prime.
He has promised not to rush to welterweight despite vacating his featherweight crown, and UFC is likely to match him next against one of the top contenders: Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, or Paddy Pimblett, with whom Topuria had a dramatic post-fight confrontation. The future could also hold the possibility of Topuria targeting a historic third weight division title, a feat yet to be attempted in UFC history.
Current Men’s Pound-for-Pound Landscape
Ilia Topuria now leads the UFC men’s pound-for-pound list as the lightweight champion with an undefeated professional record of 18-0. His explosive boxing and technical prowess have put him on a rapid trajectory toward stardom. His beatdown of Oliveira highlighted his ability to maintain his power even after moving up in weight, leaving fans and analysts excited about his potential impact on the sport.
Islam Makhachev, with a record of 27-1, has slipped to second place after vacating the lightweight title. Despite stepping aside from the 155-pound throne due to Topuria’s rise, Makhachev, 33, remains a top-tier competitor. He is expected to challenge new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena this fall, with a chance to equal Anderson Silva’s UFC record for most consecutive wins at 16.
Merab Dvalishvili, the bantamweight champion at 20-4, remains third. At 34, “The Machine” is still improving, having recently defended his title by submitting former champion Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. With a strong cardio base and refined striking, he is set to face top contender Cory Sandhagen next, further cementing his reign at 135 pounds.
Alexandre Pantoja, flyweight champion and now 31-5, holds fourth after defending his belt with a submission win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317. Pantoja set flyweight records for victories, finishes, and submissions and will soon meet the surging Joshua Van in another high-stakes matchup.
The middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis (22-2), ranks fifth. Known for his aggressive and sometimes raw fighting style, the South African has gone undefeated in nine UFC fights and recently outpointed Sean Strickland in a title rematch. An upcoming clash with undefeated Khamzat Chimaev is scheduled for UFC 319 in August, with du Plessis entering as an underdog.
Alexander Volkanovski, featherweight champion, is sixth on the list. After a 14-month absence, the 36-year-old bounced back to claim the vacant featherweight title by defeating Diego Lopes at UFC 314, reaffirming his status as a top fighter late in his career. His victory demonstrated that experience, strategy, and timing can overcome youth and raw power.
Magomed Ankalaev, the light heavyweight champion from Dagestan, holds seventh place with a 20-1-1 record and 1 no-contest. He captured the title at UFC 313 by delivering a measured and technical performance against Alex Pereira, despite being unable to secure takedowns. Ankalaev’s 14-fight unbeaten streak continues to impress as he balances pressure and precision with solid defense.
Alex Pereira, a 12-3 record Brazilian slugger, dropped to eighth after losing his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev. Despite this setback, Pereira aims to avenge his title loss in an expected immediate rematch. Moving up to heavyweight will be put on hold as he focuses on regaining his championship standing.
Jack Della Maddalena of Australia, the welterweight champion with a 24-4 record, remains ninth after defeating Belal Muhammad in a hard-fought technical bout at UFC 315. His standout boxing, footwork, and ground defense have marked him as the division’s rising star.
Khamzat Chimaev, undefeated at 14-0 but only recently healthy enough to challenge for the title, enters the rankings at tenth. Chimaev is set to face Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, where he will be the betting favorite, continuing his journey toward dominance in the middleweight division.
Dropped from the rankings this cycle is Jon Jones, whose absence signals a remarkable shift in UFC’s competitive landscape, with newcomers like Topuria and established champions redefining the division hierarchies.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Highlight Champions and Rising Stars
Valentina Shevchenko retains the top spot in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings as flyweight champion. With a record of 24-4-1, the future Hall of Famer successfully defended her title against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315, achieving her tenth UFC title win and her eighth defense. Her tactical adjustments and consistent excellence keep her firmly at the top, with a super fight against strawweight queen Zhang Weili potentially on the horizon.
Zhang Weili, who leads the strawweight division and holds a 25-3 record, remains second. At 35, Zhang’s dominant win over unbeaten Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 extended her UFC undefeated streak to 10. Zhang continues to develop her skillset and is rumored to have ambitions of moving up to bantamweight, possibly setting up a marquee superfight with Shevchenko later this year.
Kayla Harrison, the women’s bantamweight champion at 19-1, claims the third spot after capturing her title at UFC 316 by decisively defeating two-time champ Juianna Pena, despite enduring a severe weight cut. Harrison’s inspiring comeback story and dominant performances have earned her a potential matchup against former champion Amanda Nunes, who recently returned to competition.
Manon Fiorot, ranked fourth with a 12-2 record, remains a top flyweight contender after a narrow loss to Shevchenko. Her resilience and clinch work against the champion at UFC 315 confirmed her status as a formidable opponent in a tightly contested flyweight division.
Natalia Silva, fifth in the women’s rankings with a 19-5-1 record, has impressed with seven straight wins in the UFC. Her victory over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 positioned her for a future title shot. Known for her speed, feints, and striking accuracy, Silva is a rising force within the division.
No women dropped out of the rankings in this update, while some notable fighters just missed inclusion, including Virna Jandiroba, Erin Blanchfield, Juianna Pena, Alexa Grasso, and Tatiana Suarez.
The Significance of Topuria’s Emergence and UFC Ranking Shifts
Ilia Topuria’s ascension marks a pivotal moment for the UFC’s future. His emergence as the first unbeaten two-division champion exemplifies the dynamic evolution of the sport’s elite and brings renewed hope and energy to fans and fighters alike. His clinical boxing and ability to dominate multiple weight classes suggest a future superstar whose impact could rival that of Conor McGregor’s meteoric rise.
The removal of Jon Jones from the rankings underscores the shifting tides within UFC’s competitive hierarchy, highlighting the entrance of fresh talent while established champions continue to defend and extend their legacies. Islam Makhachev’s move and ongoing challenges at welterweight further exemplify the transitions taking place among top contenders.
Looking ahead, UFC’s matchmaking decisions for Topuria and other contenders will shape the sport’s landscape. With potential high-profile clashes against Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, or Paddy Pimblett, as well as key title defenses across divisions, 2024 promises to deliver intense competition and memorable moments for the UFC audience worldwide.
“Topuria is the hero UFC fans most need right now from the standpoint of making crossover fights and it just so happens that he’s also the best fighter in the game at this moment following a trio of knockout victories over Alex Volkanovski, Max Holloway and now Oliveira.” —UFC Analyst