Volkanovski Surges to Number Two in ESPN MMA Rankings

Alexander Volkanovski has firmly reasserted his status as one of the premier fighters in the world following a standout performance at UFC 333. The 38-year-old UFC featherweight champion delivered a second-round knockout of previously undefeated Movsar Evloev on Saturday. This impressive win allowed Volkanovski to leap five positions in the ESPN men's pound-for-pound rankings, landing at number two. The panel noted that the Australian star is far from finished, effectively silencing critics who had begun to question his longevity after his earlier loss to Ilia Topuria.

While Volkanovski stole the spotlight, co-main event star Petr Yan also made a significant impact. The bantamweight champion defeated Merab Dvalishvili to retain his title, completing their trilogy. Although Yan dropped from number two to number three, the victory marked a triumphant return to form for a fighter who had experienced a notable slump between 2021 and 2023. Dvalishvili, now tied for eighth, suffered his second consecutive defeat to Yan in a competitive but ultimately losing effort.

A major shift at the top of the rankings involved the removal of Tom Aspinall. The former UFC heavyweight champion is no longer eligible for the list because he has not competed in over a year. Aspinall is currently recovering from eye injuries sustained during a no-contest against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. Fighters must compete within the past 12 months or have a booked fight to remain in the rankings, a rule that has kept Aspinall off the board until he returns to the cage.

At the top of the men's list, Islam Makhachev retains the number one spot. The welterweight champion continues to pile up historic achievements, including a record-breaking 17th consecutive win. His victory over Ian Machado Garry further cements his place among the greatest in the sport's history. Behind Makhachev and Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje has secured the number five position after a resilient fourth-round TKO victory over Ilia Topuria. The win gave the 37-year-old his long-sought undisputed title, a feat that has revitalized his career after years of missed opportunities.

Other notable movements include Arman Tsarukyan, who climbed to number seven after a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy. The lightweight is once again positioned on the cusp of a title fight following previous setbacks. Meanwhile, Ciryl Gane has moved up to a tie for eighth. The heavyweight champion, who recently defeated Alex Pereira, is set to face Josh Hokit at UFC 334. Gane's unique resume includes bouts against the division's four biggest names, a distinction no other heavyweight has achieved.

In the women's pound-for-pound rankings, Valentina Shevchenko remains the number one fighter despite currently being out injured. The flyweight legend vacated her title after a decisive victory over Zhang Weili in November 2025. Zhang Weili, who has moved up in weight, sits at number two. Cris Cyborg, the PFL featherweight champion, holds the third spot after a recent submission victory. Natalia Silva, who captured the UFC flyweight belt by defeating Wang Cong, is ranked fourth. Mackenzie Dern, the strawweight champion, rounds out the top five after a dominant title defense against Gillian Robertson.