Ilia Topuria has recently secured the coveted position as the UFC pound-for-pound king after his impressive victory at UFC 317 on June 28. The Spaniard claimed the two-division championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira, surpassing Islam Makhachev to reach the pinnacle of MMA rankings. However, fans and experts alike anticipate a fresh contender who could soon challenge both Topuria and Makhachev for the top spot.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Rising Threat to the Pound-for-Pound Hierarchy
Reigning UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili currently holds the third position in the pound-for-pound rankings, following his successful submission of Sean O’Malley in their recent UFC 316 rematch. Dvalishvili is now one victory away from matching his teammate Aljamain Sterling’s record for the most consecutive title defenses in the bantamweight division. This milestone, expected in an upcoming bout against Cory Sandhagen, could further cement his status among the UFC elite.
Aljamain Sterling, reflecting on Dvalishvili’s chances, emphasized the significance of that potential achievement.
“I would say it’s a three-headed race between Ilia, Merab, and Islam,”
Sterling said during International Fight Week.
“I think if (Dvalishvili) just wins one more, I think he’s (number one). I think you can’t deny him, especially if he gets a finish again.”
Sterling continued, highlighting Dvalishvili’s exceptional skill set in relation to his peers:
“If you put Merab the same size, pound-for-pound, with any of these guys with his skillset, I think he does the same thing to everybody,”
he added.
“You can argue and make the case that he would actually be number one — and should be.”
Daniel Cormier’s Perspective on Islam Makhachev’s Potential Return
Aljamain Sterling is not alone in his assessment. Daniel Cormier, former two-division UFC champion and analyst, shared similar views regarding Islam Makhachev’s possible resurgence. Cormier stated that if Makhachev defeats Jack Della Maddalena to claim the welterweight title, he would reclaim the pound-for-pound throne.
“He (Topuria) is the number one pound-for-pound fighter today,”
Cormier said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“But if Islam is able to beat Jack Della Maddalena, it flips again and Islam goes back to number one.”
Cormier elaborated that Makhachev’s move up in weight class, coupled with his track record of four lightweight title defenses, would validate his dominance across divisions.
“Only because of this, (his) fighting style will then be proven to go up to the next weight class. Islam will have done everything Topuria has done at a heavier weight. Four title defenses at 155, and then the new champion at welterweight.”
He concluded,
“So yes, I agree, he (Topuria) is pound-for-pound number one today, but I think the moment Islam is able to win, he then goes back to pound-for-pound number one.”
What Lies Ahead for the UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings
The perspectives of both Sterling and Cormier suggest that the hierarchy of the UFC’s pound-for-pound fighters is poised for dynamic shifts in the near future. With Topuria as the current champion, the possibility of Makhachev reclaiming the crown at welterweight, and Dvalishvili advancing toward a landmark title defense record, the top rankings could see significant movement.
If Topuria succeeds in defending his lightweight title in the months ahead, it would solidify his reign, but rival contenders remain closely matched. This evolving competition underscores the depth of talent in the UFC’s upper divisions and sets the stage for thrilling matchups as fighters aim to prove their supremacy across weight classes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a professional fighter from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Topuria is the current champion in the UFC’s Lightweight division.