Updated UFC Pound-For-Pound Rankings after UFC 322! Islam Makhachev becomes the new #1 P4P fighter after his two-division championship performance, but Ilia Topuria at #2 has an argument. Breaking down the entire top 10 with explanations for every placement.
One fighter drops out, one enters - here's the complete UFC P4P men's rankings!
đ UFC POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS (MEN'S) - POST UFC 322:
#1: ISLAM MAKHACHEV (NEW #1)
Two-division champion. Elite resume. Beat Alex Volkanovski when they were #1 and #2 P4P.
Why he's #1:
Dominated Jack Della Maddalena for 25 minutes at 170
Beat Volk (then P4P #1)
If everyone was the same weight, Makhachev is suplexing everyone
Him and Khamzat would dominate with wrestling/grappling
That good.
#2: ILIA TOPURIA
In almost ANY other era, Topuria's resume would have him at #1.
The Topuria Case:
Dominance in TWO weight classes
Elite level victories
Spectacular finishes
Undefeated
Why he's #2: He has to be because Makhachev's resume + two-division status is just slightly better. But this is CLOSE.
#3: MERAB DVALISHVILI
I slept on this guy for a while. Not anymore.
Why Merab is Top 3:
The talent
The pace
The cardio
The EVERYTHING he puts together
Deserving of top 3 P4P status
#4: KHAMZAT CHIMAEV
Dominant 185-pound champion.
Should have been here earlier, honestly. But he's here now and probably sticking around for a while.
#5: TOM ASPINALL
Undisputed heavyweight champion now.
UFC 321 was a dud (eye injury situation) but can't take anything away from him. He's been knocking out the best of the best at heavyweight.
#6: ALEX PEREIRA
205-pound champion. Two-division champion. Elite level striker.
The Pereira Paradox:
Loss to Ankalaev bumps him from elite tier
But still incredible talent
Should get heavyweight run (disappointed he hasn't yet)
Lot of fun still to come
#7: ALEXANDRE PANTOJA
Dominant over everyone at 125 pounds.
Could be seeing a difficult challenge soon, but so far he's beaten everyone put in front of him.
#8: ALEX VOLKANOVSKI
One of the great fighters of all time.
Had banana peels along the way (losses to Islam, etc.) but getting the 145-pound championship back puts him at #8.
#9: MAX HOLLOWAY
Perpetually in P4P top 10.
Why he's back:
Win over Dustin Poirier
Always near the top
Proven excellence at 145
Why he's not higher: Volkanovski is still ahead of him.
#10: MAGOMED ANKALAEV
Yes, he lost to Pereira after beating him previously.
Why he stays in:
Has that win over Pereira when Pereira was P4P great
Solid resume
Deserves to stay for now
DROPPED OUT:
Jack Della Maddalena - After title loss to Islam
Why JDM is out:
Very solid, talented fighter
But didn't have resume for top 10
Was here because he was champion
10 spots should have most champions
Post-loss, resume doesn't justify top 10
â DO YOU AGREE WITH THESE RANKINGS? Drop your P4P top 10 in the comments! đ
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