JULY 2023
In deciding where to rank fighters, the actual results are most important, not how I personally feel about the fighters or who I think would win hypothetical matchups. I examine head-to-head bouts first, then primarily results over the last three years, giving more credence to recent ones. The level of competition is always considered, activity is important and MMA math only plays a small part in the process. I make my votes public monthly in the spirit of openness and transparency.
MEN’S POUND FOR POUND
|
1. Alexander Volkanovski (C) +1 |
9. Jamahal Hill (C) +1 |
|
2. Islam Makhachev (C) -1 |
10. Jiri Prochazka +1 |
|
3. Jon Jones (C) |
11. Sergei Pavlovich +2 |
|
4. Leon Edwards (C) |
12. Alexandre Pantoja (C) * |
|
5. Israel Adesanya (C) |
13. Alex Pereira -1 |
|
6. Aljamain Sterling (C) |
14. Brandon Moreno -5 |
|
7. Charles Oliveira |
15. Dricus Du Plessis * |
|
8. Kamaru Usman |
|
|
1. Jon Jones (C) |
9. Alexandre Pantoja (C) * |
|
1. Alexander Volkanovski (C) +1 |
10. Alex Pereira -1 |
|
3. Islam Makhachev (C) |
10. Jiri Prochazka |
|
4. Leon Edwards (C) |
12. Max Holloway |
|
5. Israel Adesanya (C) |
13. Justin Gaethje * |
|
6. Aljamain Sterling (C) |
14. Jamahal Hill (C) |
|
7. Charles Oliveira |
15. Brandon Moreno -6 |
|
8. Kamaru Usman |
* New entrant into rankings
|
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Robert Whittaker, Deiveson Figueiredo
Out of UFC rankings: Dustin Poirier, Robert Whittaker
X: Great month in P4P changes with two pay-per-view events in July. Volkanovski showed just how much distance there is between him and any other human being at FW by crushing interim champ Rodriguez. Pantoja stayed undefeated against Moreno and took away some of his shine in the process. Gaethje got revenge on Poirier in their rematch with a head kick from Hades. Du Plessis took Whitaker to school like no one had before him. Alas, Hill was injured playing basketball and won’t be able to defend his LHW belt, but we do have Jones vs. Miocic to look forward to in November.
FLYWEIGHT
|
C: Alexandre Pantoja +2 |
8. Alex Perez |
|
1. Brandon Moreno -1 |
9. Matt Schnell |
|
2. Deiveson Figueiredo -1 |
10. Tim Elliott |
|
3. Brandon Royval |
11. Muhammad Mokaev |
|
4. Amir Albazi |
12. Steve Erceg |
|
5. Kai Kara France |
13. Tagir Ulanbekov |
|
6. Matheus Nicolau |
14. Cody Durden |
|
7. Manel Kape |
15. David Dvorak |
|
C: Alexandre Pantoja +2 |
8. Matt Schnell |
|
1. Brandon Moreno -1 |
9. Manel Kape |
|
2. Deiveson Figueiredo -1 |
10. Tim Elliott |
|
3. Amir Albazi |
11. Muhammad Mokaev |
|
4. Brandon Royal |
12. Su Mudaerji +1 |
|
5. Kai Kara France |
13. Tagir Ulanbekov -1 |
|
6. Matheus Nicolau |
14. Steve Erceg |
|
7. Alex Perez |
15. David Dvorak |
Out of dB/UFC rankings: None
X: Other than Pantoja taking the top spot, there are few changes this month at FLW. But why was Mudaerji (last win in January 2021, hasn’t fought since July 2022) moved up over Ulanbekov (6-1 in last 7 fights), when neither fought last month and nor did any of their past opponents? There are other odd movements like that throughout the UFC’s rankings.
BANTAMWEIGHT
|
C: Aljamain Sterling |
8. Song Yadong |
|
1. Merab Dvalishvili |
9. Ricky Simon |
|
2. Sean O’Malley |
10. Dominick Cruz |
|
3. Henry Cejudo |
11. Umar Nurmagomedov |
|
4. Petr Yan |
12. Adrian Yanez |
|
5. Cory Sandhagen |
13. Pedro Munhoz |
|
6. Marlon Vera |
14. Chris Gutierrez |
|
7. Rob Font |
15. Jonathan Martinez * |
|
C: Aljamain Sterling |
8. Song Yadong |
|
1. Merab Dvalishvili |
9. Dominick Cruz |
|
2. Sean O’Malley |
10. Pedro Munhoz |
|
3. Henry Cejudo |
11. Umar Nurmagomedov |
|
4. Cory Sandhagen |
12. Ricky Simon |
|
5. Petr Yan |
13. Jonathan Martinez +2 |
|
6. Marlon Vera |
14. Adrian Yanez -1 |
|
7. Rob Font |
15. Chris Gutierrez -1 |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Davey Grant
Out of UFC rankings: None
X: August should be a great month for BW fights after a slow July. Grant fell out of my rankings with a thud, and me adding Martinez helped push him up to No. 13 on the UFC’s side. Bummer that Nurmagomedov is hurt and missing his main-event matchup with the electrifying Sandhagen, but Font is a warrior for stepping up on short notice to take him on.
FEATHERWEIGHT
|
C: Alexander Volkanovski |
8. Chan Sung Jung |
|
1. Max Holloway +1 |
9. Gigi Chikadze |
|
2. Yair Rodriguez -1 |
10. Movsar Evloev |
|
3. Ilia Topuria |
11. Bryce Mitchell |
|
4. Arnold Allen |
12. Sodiq Yusuf |
|
5. Brian Ortega |
13. Dan Ige |
|
6. Josh Emmett |
14. Edson Barboza |
|
7. Calvin Kattar |
15. Alex Caceres * |
|
C: Alexander Volkanovski |
8. Chan Sung Jung |
|
1. Max Holloway +1 |
9. Giga Chikadze |
|
2. Yair Rodriguez -1 |
10. Movsar Evloev |
|
3. Brian Ortega |
11. Sodiq Yusuff |
|
4. Arnold Allen |
12. Bryce Mitchell |
|
5. Ilia Topuria |
13. Dan Ige |
|
6. Josh Emmett |
14. Edson Barboza |
|
7. Calvin Kattar |
15. Alex Caceres |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Jonathan Pearce
Out of UFC rankings: None
X: All hail King Volk, who is on his way to being declared the GOAT of the 145-pound weight class and earning a rematch for the 155-pound belt with Makhachev. Though Pearce did nothing wrong to lose his spot in the top 15, I finally had to respect Caceres’ 7-1 record is his last eight fights, with Bruce Leroy’s only loss being against the higher-ranked Yusuff.
LIGHTWEIGHT
|
C: Islam Makhachev |
8. Arman Tsarukyan |
|
1. Charles Oliveira |
9. Grant Dawson +3 |
|
2. Justin Gaethje +2 |
10. Dan Hooker +1 |
|
3. Dustin Poirier |
11. Jalin Turner -1 |
|
4. Beneil Dariush -2 |
12. Renato Moicano +1 |
|
5. Rafael Fiziev |
13. Joel Alvarez +1 |
|
6. Michael Chandler |
14. Matt Frevola +1 |
|
7. Mateusz Gamrot |
15. Thiago Moises * |
|
C: Islam Makhachev |
8. Arman Tsarukyan |
|
1. Charles Oliveira |
9. Rafael dos Anjos |
|
2. Justin Gaethje +1 |
10. Dan Hooker +1 |
|
3. Dustin Poirier -1 |
11. Grant Dawson +4 |
|
4. Beneil Dariush |
12. Jalin Turner -2 |
|
5. Michael Chandler |
13. Renato Moicano |
|
6. Rafael Fiziev |
14. Matt Frevola |
|
7. Mateusz Gamrot |
15. Diego Ferreira * |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB/UFC rankings: Damir Ismagulov (not re-signed)
X: Gaethje has always been a BMF, but now he has a shiny new belt to prove it. Hate to see Ismagulov out of the UFC, as he is a top-15 talent. However, why is dos Anjos still allowed to be ranked at LW when he has clearly moved to WW; by contrast, Pereira was yanked from the WW rankings for missing weight. And while Ferreira is a fine fighter, he’s 1-3 since early 2021; by contrast, Alvarez is 5-2 in the UFC with only losses to ranked foes; he also has a finish over tough out Moises, who bounced back afterward with two straight submission wins. I fear some voters don’t pay enough attention to fighters outside of the top 15, which is why they usually go back to the same known names when someone falls out.
WELTERWEIGHT
|
C: Leon Edwards |
8. Sean Brady |
|
1. Belal Muhammad |
9. Geoff Neal |
|
2. Kamaru Usman |
10. Vicente Luque |
|
3. Khamzat Chimaev |
11. Ian Garry +1 |
|
4. Colby Covington |
12. Neil Magny +1 |
|
5. Gilbert Burns |
13. Kevin Holland * |
|
6. Shavkat Rakmonov |
14. Jack Della Maddalena |
|
7. Stephen Thompson |
15. Rinat Fakhretdinov * |
|
C: Leon Edwards |
8. Geoff Neal |
|
1. Kamaru Usman |
9. Sean Brady -1 |
|
2. Colby Covington |
10. Vicente Luque |
|
3. Belal Muhammad |
11. Neil Magny |
|
4. Khamzat Chimaev |
12. Kevin Holland * |
|
5. Gilbert Burns |
13. Ian Garry |
|
6. Shavkat Rakmonov |
14. Jack Della Maddalena |
|
7. Stephen Thompson |
15. Michael Chiesa -3 |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Michel Pereira (missed weight), Michael Chiesa
Out of UFC rankings: Michel Pereira (missed weight)
X: Interesting month, but not nearly as compelling as it could have been had Pereira made weight and fought Wonderboy Thompson last week. Holland joins the rarified air of fighters who have been ranked in multiple weight classes, but Chiesa looked like a shadow of his former self; he hasn’t won a fight in more than two-and-a-half years, which is why I turned to Fakhretdinov, who is 21-1, 3-0 in the UFC and coming off a dominating submission win over ex-title contender Kevin Lee. Chimaev’s upcoming move to MW opens the door for Muhammad to get the eventual winner of Edwards vs. Covington.
MIDDLEWEIGHT
|
C: Israel Adesanya |
8. Jack Hermansson +1 |
|
1. Dricus Du Plessis +6 |
9. Derek Brunson +1 |
|
2. Robert Whittaker |
10. Paul Craig * |
|
3. Jared Cannonier |
11. Kelvin Gastelum +1 |
|
4. Marvin Vettori |
12. Nassourdine Imavov -1 |
|
5. Sean Strickland +1 |
13. Chris Curtis |
|
6. Paulo Costa -1 |
14. Brendan Allen |
|
7. Roman Dolidze +1 |
15. Caio Borralho |
|
C: Israel Adesanya |
8. Roman Dolidze +1 |
|
1. Dricus Du Plessis +4 |
9. Jack Hermansson +1 |
|
2. Robert Whittaker |
10. Brendan Allen +1 |
|
3. Jared Cannonier |
11. Kelvin Gastelum +1 |
|
4. Marvin Vettori |
12. Nassourdine Imavov +1 |
|
5. Sean Strickland +2 |
13. Paul Craig * |
|
6. Paulo Costa -1 |
14. Chris Curtis +1 |
|
7. Derek Brunson +1 |
15. Andre Muniz -1 |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB/UFC rankings: Alex Pereira (moved to LHW)
X: Post-nasal surgery Du Plessis might just be the best fighter in history since sea-level Cain Velasquez, as breathing right apparently has a lot to do with fighting well; it’s just too bad he will likely not be ready for Adesanya in September. The UFC could do worse than book Strickland for that scrap, then let him wax on about the “Chinese guy” to build it up. Craig’s move to MW paid off with a TKO over Muniz, who has lost twice in a row to unranked fighters and, as a result, doesn’t deserve a number next to his name – especially when Borralho and his 14-fight unbeaten streak are around.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
|
C: Jamahal Hill |
8. Anthony Smith -1 |
|
1. Jiri Prochazka |
9. Volkan Oezdemir -1 |
|
2. Magomed Ankalaev |
10. Ryan Spann -1 10. Paul Craig |
|
3. Alex Pereira * |
11. Azamat Murakanov |
|
4. Jan Blachowicz -1 |
12. Khalil Rountree Jr. |
|
5. Aleksandar Rakic -1 |
13. Dustin Jacoby |
|
6. Nikita Krylov -1 |
14. Alonzo Menifield * |
|
7. Johnny Walker -1 |
15. Kennedy Nzechukwu -1 |
|
C: Jamahal Hill |
8. Anthony Smith -1 |
|
1. Jiri Prochazka |
9. Volkan Oezdemir -1 |
|
2. Magomed Ankalaev |
10. Ryan Spann -1 |
|
3. Alex Pereira * |
11. Azamat Murakanov |
|
4. Jan Blachowicz -1 |
12. Dominick Reyes |
|
5. Aleksandar Rakic -1 |
13. Khalil Rountree Jr. |
|
6. Nikita Krylov -1 |
14. Alonzo Menifield * |
|
7. Johnny Walker -2 |
15. Dustin Jacoby |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Paul Craig (moved to MW), Carlos Ulberg
Out of UFC rankings: Paul Craig (moved to MW), Jimmy Crute
X: Pereira’s decision over Blachowicz wasn’t the most scintillating win of the year, but who isn’t looking forward to him taking on a returning Prochazka in a standing-room-only affair? Menifield’s decisive victory over Crute finally earned him a spot in the top 15. Craig’s move down in weight set the stage for someone else to be ranked, but the UFC’s voters continue to stay with Reyes, despite the fact that his last win was in October 2019. Nzechukwu, who kept his spot in my rankings due to his win over Ulberg, has a chance to grab a spot in the UFC rankings against Jacoby this weekend.
HEAVYWEIGHT
|
C: Jon Jones |
8. Jailton Almeida +2 |
|
1. Sergei Pavlovich |
9. Marcin Tybura -1 |
|
2. Curtis Blaydes |
10. Tai Tuivasa -5 |
|
3. Tom Aspinall +3 |
11. Derrick Lewis |
|
4. Ciryl Gane -1 |
12. Jairzinho Rozenstruik |
|
5. Stipe Miocic -1 |
13. Alexandr Romanov +1 |
|
6. Alexander Volkov +1 |
14. Martin Buday * |
|
7. Serghei Spivac +2 |
15. Marcos Rogerio de Lima |
|
C: Jon Jones |
8. Alexander Volkov -1 |
|
1. Sergei Pavlovich +1 |
9. Jailton Almeida |
|
2. Ciryl Gane -1 |
10. Derrick Lewis +1 |
|
3. Stipe Miocic |
11. Marcin Tybura -1 |
|
4. Tom Aspinall +1 |
12. Jairzinho Rozenstruik |
|
5. Curtis Blaydes -1 |
13. Alexandr Romanov +1 |
|
6. Tai Tuivasa |
14. Chris Daukaus -1 |
|
7. Serghei Spivac +1 |
15. Marcos Rogerio de Lima * |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB/UFC rankings: Blagoy Ivanov (not re-signed)
X: Aspinall didn’t miss a beat coming back from injury with a devastating KO of Tybura, who had won seven of his last eight fights; although I’m not sure Aspinall deserves to be ranked above Blaydes, he definitely should be in front of Miocic, who hasn’t stepped into the Octagon since March 2021 against the dearly departed Francis Ngannou (who faces Tyson Fury next in a high-dollar boxing tilt). Lewis was his normal hot and sweaty self in smoking de Lima. Daukaus’ is taking his talents to LHW, and Buday could grab his spot in the UFC’s HW rankings with a solid win later this month. Happy to see UFC voters give Pavlovich his due by making him the No. 1 contender, as Gane failed in two title attempts.
WOMEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND
|
1. Zhang Weili (C) |
9. Taila Santos +1 |
|
2. Alexa Grasso (C) |
10. Manon Fiorot +1 |
|
3. Valentina Shevchenko |
11. Raquel Pennington +3 |
|
4. Rose Namajunas |
12. Mayra Bueno Silva * |
|
5. Erin Blanchfield +1 |
13. Julianna Pena -8 |
|
6. Yan Xiaonan +1 |
14. Carla Esparza -2 |
|
7. Jessica Andrade +1 |
15. Marina Rodriquez -2 |
|
8. Amanda Lemos +1 |
|
1. Alexa Grasso (C) |
9. Yan Xiaonan |
|
2. Valentina Shevchenko |
10. Manon Fiorot +1 |
|
3. Zhang Weili (C) |
12. Taila Santos -1 |
|
4. Rose Namajunas |
12. Amanda Lemos |
|
5. Julianna Pena |
13. Raquel Pennington |
|
6. Carla Esparza |
14. Mayra Bueno Silva * |
|
7. Erin Blanchfield |
15. Tatiana Suarez |
|
8. Jessica Andrade |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Ketlen Vieira
Out of UFC rankings: Holly Holm
X: Why do I have Weili the top P4P fighter over Grasso? Because even though they fight a weight class apart, Weili would smoke her in the Octagon. Look forward to seeing what Namajunas can do at WFW, as she wasn’t big for SW.
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
|
C: Zhang Weili |
8. Virna Jandiroba |
|
1. Yan Xiaonan |
9. Tatiana Suarez |
|
2. Jessica Andrade |
10. Tecia Torres |
|
3. Amanda Lemos |
11. Luana Pinheiro |
|
4. Rose Namajunas |
12. Michelle Waterson-Gomez |
|
5. Carla Esparza |
13. Angela Hill |
|
6. Marina Rodriguez |
14. Tabatha Ricci |
|
7. Mackenzie Dern |
15. Loopy Godinez |
|
C: Zhang Weili |
8. Marina Rodriguez |
|
1. Carla Esparza |
9. Tecia Torres |
|
2. Rose Namajunas |
10. Tatiana Suarez |
|
3. Yan Xiaonan |
11. Amanda Ribas |
|
4. Amanda Lemos |
12. Luana Pinheiro |
|
5. Jessica Andrade |
13. Michelle Waterson-Gomez |
|
6. Virna Jandiroba |
14. Tabatha Ricci |
|
7. Mackenzie Dern |
15. Angela Hill |
Out of dB/UFC rankings: None
X: Weili vs. Lemos should be a great stand-up affair this month; a Weili win could prompt the UFC to return to China and pit her against Xiaonan in a fight that would fill a lot of seats. Again, Ribas is a WFW; give her SW spot to someone else.
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT
|
C: Alexa Grasso |
8. Lauren Murphy |
|
1. Valentina Shevchenko |
9. Jennifer Maia |
|
2. Talia Santos |
10. Amanda Ribas |
|
3. Erin Blanchfield |
11. Viviane Araujo |
|
4. Manon Fiorot |
12. Casey O’Neill |
|
5. Jessica Andrade |
13. Andrea Lee |
|
6. Katlyn Chookagian |
14. Natalia Silva |
|
7. Maycee Barber |
15. Jasmine Jasudavicius |
|
C: Alexa Grasso |
8. Maycee Barber |
|
1. Valentina Shevchenko |
9. Jennifer Maia |
|
2. Manon Fiorot |
10. Viviane Araujo |
|
3. Erin Blanchfield |
11. Amanda Ribas |
|
4. Talia Santos -1 |
12. Casey O’Neill |
|
5. Jessica Andrade |
13. Andrea Lee |
|
6. Katlyn Chookagian |
14. Tracy Cortez |
|
7. Lauren Murphy |
15. Jasmine Jasudavicius |
Out of dB/UFC rankings: None
X: Why Ribas is ranked under Araujo, whom she beat just two fights ago, is still a mystery in an otherwise slow month.
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT
|
C: Vacant |
8. Karol Rosa -1 |
|
1. Raquel Pennington +1 |
9. Yana Santos -1 |
|
2. Mayra Bueno Silva +10 |
10. Macy Chiasson -1 |
|
3. Julianna Pena -2 |
11. Julia Avila -1 |
|
4. Ketlen Vieira -1 |
12. Josiane Nunes -1 |
|
5. Holly Holm -1 |
13. Tainara Lisboa +1 |
|
6. Irene Aldana -1 |
14. Tamires Vidal +1 |
|
7. Pannie Kianzad -1 |
15. Irina Alekseeva * |
|
C: Vacant |
8. Yana Santos -2 |
|
1. Julianna Pena |
9. Macy Chiasson -1 |
|
2. Raquel Pennington |
9. Karol Rosa |
|
3. Mayra Bueno Silva +7 |
11. Norma Dumont +2 |
|
4. Ketlen Vieira |
12. Miesha Tate -1 |
|
5. Irene Aldana |
13. Julia Avila -1 |
|
6. Holly Holm -3 |
14. Josiane Nunes |
|
7. Pannie Kianzad |
15. Chelsea Chandler -1 |
* New entrant into rankings
Out of dB rankings: Chelsea Chandler
Out of UFC rankings: None
X: Say what you will about my rankings, but the UFC’s in this weight class make little sense. Aldana is just above Holm, who beat her. Rosa is somehow two spots behind Santos, who has lost three straight, despite beating her on July 1. Dumont is ranked despite not fighting at BW in years, and Chandler kept her spot despite a rather embarrassing fight-or flight moment against Dumont. It appears that some UFC voters can’t be bothered to research up-and-coming fighters like Lisboa, Vidal and Alekseeva, all with the potential to become title contenders with the right matchups. I did bump Pena down after Silva’s big win, but that’s only because she doesn’t have a win over any woman ranked at this weight and is just 3-3 in her last six fights, which are spread out over more than six years. Activity should matter in the rankings.
WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT
C: Vacant
No divisional rankings.
UPCOMING FIGHTS TO WATCH
Aug. 5 – UFC on ESPN 50
Cory Sandhagen vs. Rob Font
Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez
Dustin Jacoby vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Aug. 12 – UFC on ESPN 51
Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Chris Daukaus
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Cub Swanson
Aug. 19 – UFC 292
Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley for BW belt
Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos for WSW belt
Geoff Neal vs. Ian Garry
Aug. 26 – UFC Fight Night
Max Holloway vs. Chan Sung Jung
Anthony Smith vs. Ryan Spann 2
Erin Blanchfield vs. Taila Santos
Updated rankings for August will be posted before UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac on Sept. 2. Until then, enjoy the 5-ounce glove fights.
For comments, questions and suggestions, email dbrown@cherokeescout.com or hit me up on Twitter @daviddbstroh.