Back when Alexandre Pantoja outlasted Brandon Moreno via a split decision in July 2023 to win the UFC flyweight title following such a brutal, action-packed affair, the new 125 champion books was considered a great story, but it was hard to imagine anyone. thinking it would last that long.
The UFC men’s flyweight title picture had been widely circulating like a hot potato since Henry Cejudo vacated the title in early 2020. Yes, Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo kept things interesting by swapping the title throughout their four-fight streak, but division was seen. as a parity riddle, the thought process being that any flyweight in the top 10 could win the title on seemingly any given night.
Few could have prepared for the fact that, after 16 years of professional career, Pantoja, 34, would embark on the most dominant part of his UFC career while constantly evolving with each fight. Three title defenses later following the Brazilian’s dominant second-round victory over newcomer (and former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion) Kai Asakura at UFC 310 last Saturday, and Pantoja quickly finds himself climbing the pound list. for book.
Pantoja, whose winning streak now extends to seven fights, appeared to risk it all against Moreno just 17 months ago in their third UFC fight (counting their 2016 exhibition match on “The Ultimate Fighter”). The “Cannibal” racked up an insane level of damage in order to secure the close decision victory, which made it difficult to imagine him building a title reign after going through so much physically.
But to Pantoja’s credit, the victory only galvanized his commitment to improving inside the gym, which coincided with his progression up to the Asakura fight, where he stepped into the Octagon with, without a doubt, the best physical shape of his caregiver.
Pantoja, who followed Moreno’s win with close decision victories in title defense over Brandon Royval (in their rematch) and Steve Erceg, entered the Asakura fight with a 9-0 record against fighters currently ranked in the top 10 at 125 pounds. But it was his performance against the dangerous Japanese striker that showed just how complete his game had become.
Somehow balancing balance and patience with insane pace, Pantoja made sure to instantly counter all of Asakura’s flashiest strikes with quick combinations to eliminate sting and impact visual of everything Asakura was capable of achieving. And once Asakura took his opponents down from a standing position in the second round, his technical advantage simply became too great as he carried Asakura down and to the canvas before putting him to sleep with a rear naked choke .
By bringing stability to a division known for its exciting dysfunctions since inaugural champion Demetrious Johnson lost his title to Cejudo, Pantoja has elevated his game to a level where it becomes difficult to predict how long he might stay at the top in as the 125-pound king.
Pound for pound ranking for men
1. Islam Makhachev – Lightweight Champion
Record: 26-1 | Previous ranking: No. 1
A closer-than-expected win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June did nothing to knock Makhachev out of the top spot in the rankings. Makhachev held off a late rally and put Poirier to sleep in the fifth round. Makhachev’s victory, which extends his streak to 14 (two shy of Anderson Silva’s UFC record), also puts him tied for most title defenses (3) in lightweight history. . Makhachev is expected to return in a January rematch against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311.
2. Ilia Topuria – Featherweight Champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous ranking: 4
A changing of the guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February could have produced the sport’s next star. Topuria did everything he said he would against Alexander Volkanovski, including finishing him in the first two rounds. So how did the Georgian sensation manage to top that? He became the first fighter to knock down and knock out fellow P4P-ranked Max Holloway in October for his first 145-pound title defense. It’s Topuria time.
3. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 12-2 | Previous ranking: 3
The 37-year-old Brazilian slugger is undoubtedly the most valuable fighter on the UFC roster. After saving the promotion by heading three major cards on late notice dating back to last November, Pereira returned in October to defend his 205-pound crown against Khalil Rountree Jr. The win set a new UFC record with three defenses title in just 175 days.
4. Jon Jones – Heavyweight Champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 4
In his second UFC appearance in nearly five years, Jones was able to shake off an 18-month layoff and recover from pectoral surgery to dominate former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic . Although the performance was both comprehensive and impressive for Jones, it came against a 42-year-old opponent who looked slow, hadn’t fought in three years and hadn’t won since 2020.
5. Dricus du Plessis – Middleweight Champion
Record: 22-2 | Previous ranking: 5
Say what you will about his heavy and often brutal pressing style, the South African native has delivered huge results during eight undefeated trips to the Octagon. The reigning 185-pound champion added Israel Adesanya to his hit list at UFC 305 in August, which also includes his former middleweight kings Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Next up is a Sean Strickland rematch at UFC 312 in March.
6. Merab Dvalishvili – Bantamweight Champion
Record: 18-4 | Previous ranking: 6
After losing his first two fights in the UFC, the Georgia native went on an insane 11-fight winning streak that culminated in a storybook victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 to win the title. The cardio king neutralized and outplayed the defending bantamweight king on the ground and got the better of him in striking before being forced to hold off a “Suga Show” rally in the fifth round. Undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov is next at UFC 311 in January.
7. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight Champion
Record: 29-5 | Previous ranking: 9
After relying far more on his iron will than his P4P skills to win the flyweight title from Brandon Moreno last summer, the Brazilian submission expert has stayed busy since with a trio of title defenses against Brandon Royval (in their rematch), Steve Erceg and, most recently, UFC debutant Kai Asakura. At 34 years old, Pantoja appears to have improved since winning UFC gold and is in the best shape of his career.
8. Belal Muhammad – welterweight champion
Record: 24-4, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 7
With an unbeaten streak reaching 11 fights when he defeated Leon Edwards to win the welterweight title at UFC 304 in July, there is no time to doubt or undermine Muhammad’s world-class skills. more. At 36 years old, the proud Palestinian-American from Chicago also became the oldest fighter to win a UFC title at 170 pounds or less. Injured, Muhammad’s first title defense is expected to be against Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2025.
9. Khamzat Chimaev – Middleweight
Record: 14-0 | Previous ranking: 8
The only thing keeping Chimaev from joining this list was his inactivity, largely due to a mix of bad luck, illness and injury. But a healthy Chimaev is as dangerous as any other sport, as evidenced by the 30-year-old’s first-round destruction of Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 in October, which left the former champion with a broken jaw. Despite the decisive victory, Chimaev will have to wait for his title shot now that Dricus du Plessis-Sean Strickland II is scheduled for March.
10. Leon Edwards – Welterweight
Record: 21-4, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 10
Fighting in his adopted backyard of England provided Edwards little advantage in the face of Belal Muhammad’s sharp boxing and relentless pressure as “Rocky”‘s inspiring 170-year title reign pounds was coming to an end at UFC 304. Edwards blamed the early morning start time for his flat performance despite rallying to knock out Muhammad late in the fifth round. He is expected to return to UFC London in March.
Abandoned : None
I just missed: Umar Nurmagomedov, Tom Aspinall, Sean O’Malley, Sean Strickland, Magomed Ankalaev
Women’s pound-for-pound ranking
1. Valentina Shevchenko – Flyweight Champion
Check-in: 24-4-1 | Previous ranking: No. 1
The future Hall of Famer further cemented her legacy by becoming a two-time trilogy champion against Alexa Grasso at UFC 306. At 36, Shevchenko defied age and a one-year layoff to throw a shutout of Grasso in five rounds thanks to his holds and counter punches. A lifelong student of martial arts, Shevchenko is only getting better.
2. Zhang Weili – Strawweight Champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous ranking: No. 2
Zhang improved to 9-0 in the UFC against everyone not named Rose Namajunas when she outlasted fellow Chinese Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 and did so by relying on his cardio, IQ and grappling improved after almost scoring two early finishes. Her toughest test may be yet to come, in the form of Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in March.
3. Manon Fiorot – Flyweight
Record: 12-1 | Previous ranking: 3
A five-round shutout against red-hot Erin Blanchfield appears to be the final hurdle the 34-year-old Frenchman will have to clear en route to a title shot. Fiorot’s takedown defense and ability to avoid ground hazards set the perfect stage for his precise striking to shine. Expect Fiorot to get the first shot against Shevchenko in her second title reign at 125 pounds.
4. Kayla Harrison – Bantamweight
Record: 18-1 | Previous ranking: 4
Despite an insane weight cut to 135 pounds that left her hospitalized and urinating blood just weeks before the fight, Harrison appears to have finally earned a shot at a UFC title with it. October victory against Ketlen Vieira, number 2. Harrison was forced to overcome significant swelling and blood after being cut for the first time in her career. While Harrison will be a big betting favorite against champion Julianna Pena, the real question comes down to whether she can continue to make weight in this division after competing at 155 pounds in the PFL.
5. Tatiana Suarez – Strawweight
Record: 10-0 | Previous ranking: 5
Despite missing nearly four years of her prime due to chronic injuries, Suarez is back on the scene strong. Her dominant submission of former champion Jessica Andrade last summer was a stark reminder of where she stands in the 115-pound title race. Few can match his wrestling prowess alone and even fewer can match the relentless competitive streak that fuels his determination. After a long break, Suarez will finally fight for UFC gold against Weili Zhang in March.
Abandoned: None
I just missed: Alexa Grasso, Erin Blanchfield, Julianna Pena, Yan Xiaonan, Virna Jandiroba
