Ilia Topuria‘s recent victory at UFC 317 secured him a second championship title and propelled him to the number one spot on the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, igniting controversy within the MMA community. This historic win, which took place in 2025, positioned Topuria above Islam Makhachev, the former lightweight champ, who has expressed skepticism about this ranking change, suggesting it serves more as a promotional tactic for a future clash between the two fighters.

Islam Makhachev, who was recently dethroned in the pound-for-pound list, dismissed the ranking adjustment as a device to generate interest. His former training partner Josh Thomson shared a similar viewpoint, agreeing that the UFC’s leadership is using Topuria’s ascent to hype a potential showdown, but he also believes the ranking is warranted given Topuria’s accumulation of titles.

Former Training Partner Supports Ranking Shift Based on Championship Count

Josh Thomson, who once trained alongside Makhachev at the American Kickboxing Academy, clarified his position on the rankings during the Weighing In podcast. He emphasized the legitimacy of Topuria’s number one placement because the Georgian-Spanish fighter holds two belts, whereas Makhachev currently has only one.

“It is justified. Ilia Topuria has got two titles. Islam does not. I thought if you’re gonna leapfrog someone, I’ve got two belts. You don’t. That’s the only reason why I can leapfrog you,”

—Josh Thomson, Former Training Partner at American Kickboxing Academy

Thomson also highlighted that if Makhachev wins a second championship title—specifically the welterweight belt he is slated to fight for against Jack Della Maddalena—he could reclaim the top pound-for-pound position.

“If Islam had won the JDM belt before Ilia and then Ilia won the lightweight title, I would have said, ‘No, you should have left Islam where he was.’ [They] should have left him at pound-for-pound… Ilia won the title first, the second title. Now, it’s up to Islam to win his second title. If he wins that second title, I think he’ll leapfrog over Ilia again.”

—Josh Thomson, Former Training Partner at American Kickboxing Academy

The Upcoming Showdown Between Topuria and Makhachev

The anticipated fight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev is viewed as the definitive test to determine who truly deserves the top pound-for-pound spot in the UFC. Both athletes are currently champions in different weight divisions and have strong followings. This fight, expected to occur in the near future, has been fueled by debates around rankings and will be decisive in settling the ongoing dispute about who is the premier fighter.

Makhachev, after his defeat, has not publicly dwelled on the rankings controversy, instead focusing on his preparations to move up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight belt. His physical development for this bout and the fight’s outcome will heavily influence any potential shifts in pound-for-pound status.

Merab Dvalishvili Poses a Threat to the Current Pound-for-Pound Leaders

The bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has recently emerged as a serious contender in the race for the UFC’s pound-for-pound crown. With a record-breaking winning streak that ranks him fifth on the UFC’s all-time list for consecutive victories, Dvalishvili’s trajectory has caught the eye of many experts in the sport.

Former bantamweight champ and teammate Aljamain Sterling counts Dvalishvili among the top three fighters competing for the pound-for-pound title, grouping him alongside Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

“I would say it’s a three-headed race between Ilia, Merab, and Islam. I think if [Dvalishvili] just wins one more, I think he’s [No.1]. I think you can’t deny him, especially if he gets a finish again,”

—Aljamain Sterling, UFC Bantamweight Champion

“If you put Merab the same size, pound-for-pound, with any of these guys with his skill set, I think he does the same thing to everybody. You can argue and make the case that he would actually be number one — and should be.”

—Aljamain Sterling, UFC Bantamweight Champion

Debate Continues Over Whether Topuria’s Ranking Reflects Merit or Promotion

The discussion over Ilia Topuria’s rightful place atop the UFC pound-for-pound ladder remains contentious. While some see his dual-champion status as irrefutable proof of his ascendancy, others suspect that the UFC management, including Dana White, is positioning him to maximize marketing opportunities ahead of lucrative bouts, especially against Islam Makhachev.

Despite these disputes, Topuria’s rise signals a shift within the UFC’s competitive landscape and underscores the volatility of rankings in a sport where titles and legacies are constantly challenged. As Makhachev aims to regain his standing by capturing a second belt, and Dvalishvili presses his winning streak, the pound-for-pound competition is far from settled.

What unfolds in the coming months, including the results of Makhachev’s fight with Jack Della Maddalena and the eventual meeting between Topuria and Makhachev inside the Octagon, will determine how the UFC defines its top fighters in 2025 and beyond. Fans and analysts alike watch closely as the sport’s elite continue to write new chapters in mixed martial arts history.