Sherdog’s Pound-for-Pound Top 10 Rankings

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Islam Makhachev continued to strengthen his grip on the No. 1 pound-for-pound spot with a dominant performance at UFC 311.

The reigning lightweight champion made short work of Renato “Money” Moicano in Saturday’s main event, submitting his short-notice foe with a brabo choke at the 4:05 mark of Round 1 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The Dagestani standout was unfazed by the late change in opponent, as he rolled to 15th consecutive Ultimate Fighting Championship triumph. Whether it’s a rebooking against Arman Tsarukyan, a showdown with featherweight king Ilia Topuria or a move up to 170 pounds — Makhachev isn’t lacking for intriguing future options.

While Makhachev is rightfully ranked No. 1, it’s time to recognize that Merab Dvalishvili might have been undervalued in these rankings. “The Machine” was a betting underdog heading into his co-main event showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov, but the Georgian defied the odds, relying on his trademark pace to wear down his adversary in a grueling unanimous decision triumph. Dvalishvili’s UFC winning streak sits at 12, and it’s becoming clear that it will take an extraordinary effort to wrest the bantamweight strap from his grip. As a result of his latest work, Dvalishvili climbs to No. 7 in Sherdog’s pound-for-pound poll.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

1. Islam Makhachev (27-1) | UFC [1]

Makhachev left no doubt in the UFC 311 headliner, submitting last-minute opponent Renato “Moicano” with a brabo choke in the opening stanza of their lightweight championship bout at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. The late shift from Arman Tsarukyan to “Moicano” did little to faze Makhachev, who won his 15th consecutive outing and set the UFC lightweight record for most championship victories with five. While Makhachev has expressed interest in moving up to 170 pounds to pursue two-division glory, a rebooking against Tsarukyan or a showdown against reigning featherweight king Ilia Topuria could be interesting options should he remain at 155 pounds.

2. Ilia Topuria (16-0) | UFC [2]

Topuria added another significant feather to his cap in the UFC 308 headliner, as he became the first person to knock out Max Holloway in 34 professional fights at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With back-to-back knockouts of Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski on his ledger — and eight consecutive triumphs in the UFC overall — “El Matador” is the unquestioned king of the featherweight division. A rematch with Volkanovski, who was in attendance at UFC 308, could be on the horizon for the Georgian-Spaniard.

3. Jon Jones (28-1, 1 NC) | UFC [3]

In his second foray at heavyweight, “Bones” was utterly dominant once again at UFC 309, hammering former champ Stipe Miocic with brutal ground-and-pound and pelting him with kicks, punches and elbows on the feet before closing things out with a spinning back kick to the ribs late in the third round. While many fans questioned the UFC’s decision to match Jones with the long-inactive Miocic rather than interim champ Tom Aspinall, there can be no questioning the former light heavyweight kingpin’s work in the cage, as he has looked flawless since returning to action last year.

4. Alex Pereira (12-2) | UFC [4]

In the headliner of UFC 307 on Oct. 5, “Poatan” added another chapter to his remarkable story, weathering a stern challenge from Khalil Rountree before destroying him with an onslaught of punches in Round 4. With the win, Pereira ran his record to 5-0 at light heavyweight and set a new UFC record for the fastest run to three successful title defenses. The towering Brazilian will return to action against top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8.

5. Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) | UFC [5]

Pantoja made short work of former Rizin bantamweight king Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner, winning via second-round submission at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “The Cannibal” now has three successful flyweight title defenses to his credit and for the first time during his reign, he didn’t need the full 25 minutes to get the job done. In the aftermath of his latest triumph, Pantoja issued an interesting callout to retired flyweight GOAT Demetrious Johnson. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the Brazilian is the current gold standard in the division.

6. Belal Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) | UFC [12]

Muhammad’s patience paid off, as his 10-fight, four-and-a-half-year unbeaten streak culminated in a chance to challenge Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 304. Whereas their first meeting had been trending in favor of Edwards before ending due to an untimely eye poke, in the rematch Muhammad was the superior fighter in the cage from start to finish. Muhammad was slated to make his first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, but a foot infection forced him to withdraw from that booking.

7. Merab Dvalishvili (19-4) | UFC [1]

Dvalishvili might have entered the UFC 311 co-main event as the betting underdog, but he showed that his championship reign may have some staying power with a unanimous decision triumph over the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. While “The Machine” started slowly, his trademark conditioning proved to be the difference, as he gradually wore down his Dagestani adversary. Dvalishvili will take a 12-fight UFC winning streak into his next title defense.

8. Leon Edwards (22-4, 1 NC) | UFC [9]

Given the chance to defend his UFC welterweight title in front of an arena packed with his countrymen, Edwards came up short, as he was soundly outwrestled and outstruck by Belal Muhammad over five rounds in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, England. With the unanimous decision loss, Edwards sees his division-leading 13-fight unbeaten streak come to an end. While there may not be much clamor for an immediate rematch, the 32-year-old does not figure to fall far from the title picture. Next, he’ll face the up-and-coming Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC London headliner.

9. Dricus Du Plessis (22-2) UFC [10]

Despite an unorthodox style that often borders on ugly, Du Plessis continues to prove the doubters wrong. “Stillknocks” successfully defended his middleweight title for the first time at UFC 305, as he submitted Israel Adesanya with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round of their headlining encounter at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Du Plessis’ UFC winning streak now sits at eight, and he’ll next face Sean Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312 in Sydney.

10. Tom Aspinall (15-3) | UFC [11]

Aspinall furthered his case to be considered the top heavyweight in the sport, smashing Curtis Blaydes with first-round punches in the co-main event of UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, England. As one of the rare fighters to defend an interim UFC title, Aspinall looms larger than ever as a potential opponent for Jon Jones, who defended his half of the belt in brutal fashion on Nov. 16. Whether or not that unification bout ever takes place, however, Aspinall’s place in these rankings remains secure so long as he continues blowing through top contenders with such shocking ease.

Other Contenders: Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, Francis Ngannou, Vadim Nemkov, Sean O’Malley.

Sherdog’s divisional and pound-for-pound rankings are compiled by a panel of Sherdog.com staff members and contributors: Tristen Critchfield, Mike Fridley, Brian Knapp, Ben Duffy, Jay Pettry, Marcelo Alonso, Keith Shillan, Tyler Treese, Rob Sargent and Sayan Nag.