MMAF Year-End Divisional Rankings: Who were the biggest movers and shakers of 2024?

Within the ever-shifting MMA panorama, rating the world’s biggest fighters would possibly seem to be a idiot’s errand, however that’s precisely what we’ve got down to do with the MMA Combating World Rankings. Right here, our esteemed panel kinds out the movers and shakers from each division to offer you essentially the most definitive checklist of one of the best fighters on the planet.

Up to date pound-for-pound rankings could be discovered right here.

The MMA world has by no means moved quicker, with the UFC doing its damndest to fill the fight sports activities schedule to the brim, and several other different combating promotions serving to to bridge the gaps. Which means loads of fights, loads of drama, and loads of motion within the rankings.

However how a lot can actually change in 12 months?

Whereas some divisional champions held steadfast, others noticed sharp falls from grace. Whereas some rankings remained principally the identical, others have been turned the other way up by contemporary faces and gorgeous upsets. After which there have been the curious instances of Jon Jones and Michael Chandler, who briefly exited the rankings after which returned and not using a assured spot ready for them.

With 2024 having come to an finish, let’s check out how the charts regarded 12 months in the past, and the place one of the best of one of the best stand heading into 2025.

Heavyweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Tom Aspinall

Who’s No. 1 now? Aspinall

When an damage pressured Jon Jones off of UFC 295 and Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich have been known as upon to battle for an interim heavyweight title, we have been comfy anointing Aspinall as No. 1 within the division—although it wasn’t unanimous—after he knocked out Pavlovich. That left Jones at No. 2 and he was briefly faraway from the checklist altogether after crossing the 18-month inactivity threshold.

Jones and Aspinall have each authored title defenses now and we’re nonetheless satisfied Aspinall deserves the highest spot. The truth is, Jones has fallen to No. 3 with Francis Ngannou, who by no means misplaced his UFC title within the cage earlier than signing with PFL, having a profitable MMA homecoming. That’s what occurs once you dangle your hat on a battle with 42-year-old former champion that hasn’t received a battle in 4 years and instantly retired after the loss.

Now, Jones vs. Aspinall in 2025 fairly, fairly, fairly please.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 6 Ciryl Gane def. No. 3 Alexander Volkov, Reug Reug def. No. 10 Anatoly Malykhin, No. 13 Phil De Fries def. Darko Stosic

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 6 Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev (UFC Seattle, Feb. 22), No. 7 Sergei Pavlovich vs. No. 12 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1), No. 8 Jailton Almeida vs. No. 9 Serghei Spivac (UFC 311, Jan. 18), No. 10 Marcin Tybura vs. Mick Parkin (UFC London, March 22)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Reug Reug (4), Tai Tuivasa (2), Anatoly Malykhin (1), Ryan Bader (1)

Falling out of the rankings (earlier rating proven): No. 10 Anatoly Malykhin (he misplaced to Reug Reug!), No. 15 (tied) Tai Tuivasa

Mild Heavyweight

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Alex Pereira

Who’s No. 1 now? Pereira

Alex Pereira captured the UFC gentle heavyweight title in late 2023 and it’s an enormous understatement to say that was just the start.

As you might need heard, Pereira had a hell of a yr, stringing collectively three dramatic title defenses within the span of seven months, all ending in highlight-reel knockouts for “Poatan.” The previous Glory Kickboxing star’s precedence-shattering soar to MMA was already one of the unlikely tales within the historical past of this enterprise, however including a second title after which making himself the headlining act of 2024. How will this man blow our minds subsequent?

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): Reug Reug def. No. 9 (tied) Anatoly Malykhin (heavyweight bout)

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 3 Jiri Prochazka vs. No. 6 Jamahal Hill (UFC 311, Jan. 18), No. 5 Jan Blachowicz vs. No. 10 Carlos Ulberg (UFC London, March 22), No. 14 Johnny Walker vs. No. 15 (tied) Bogdan Guzkov (UFC 311, Jan. 18)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Dominick Reyes (4), Roman Dolidze (1), Impa Kasanganay (1)

Falling out of the rankings (earlier rating proven): No. 12 Phil Davis (inactivity)

Middleweight

Photograph by Paul Kane/Getty Photos

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Sean Strickland

Who’s No. 1 now? Dricus du Plessis

There was no assure du Plessis would even have the UFC middleweight title by the tip of January, a lot much less by way of the remainder of the yr, however right here we’re. The method isn’t all the time fairly, however one can’t deny the outcomes as “DDP” received a slender determination over champion Sean Strickland to kick off 2024 after which scored one of many yr’s most gorgeous submissions when he defeated Israel Adesanya.

Oddly, the divisional king finds himself in an analogous spot as he rematches Strickland in February at UFC 312. Ought to du Plessis beat Strickland once more, the street doesn’t get simpler with hungry challengers Khamzat Chimaev, Caio Borralho, and Nassourdine Imavov—if he beats Adesanya that very same month—champing on the bit for his or her shot.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): N/A

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 1 Dricus du Plessis vs. No. 3 Sean Strickland (UFC 312, Feb. 8), No. 4 Israel Adesanya vs. No. 7 Nassourdine Imavov (UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1), No. 9 Anthony Hernandez vs. No. 12 Brendan Allen (UFC Seattle, Feb. 22), No. 10 Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues (UFC Struggle Evening, Feb. 15)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Michel Pereira (4), Fabian Edwards (3), Jack Hermansson (1), Reinier De Ridder (1)

Welterweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Leon Edwards

Who’s No. 1 now? Belal Muhammad

Welterweight, because it all the time appears to be today, is in a bizarre spot.

We noticed a shakeup on the high, with Belal Muhammad finishing his lengthy climb to the mountain with a dominant determination win over Leon Edwards, and several other up-and-combers proceed to stand up the ranks (wait, is that Joaquin Buckley???), however the motion of the division is slowed barely after Muhammad suffered a foot an infection that prevented him from combating Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Rakhmonov took care of enterprise in opposition to Ian Machado Garry, holding the battle with Muhammad intact, and now it’s only a matter of ready for that title battle to be re-booked whereas the opposite items fall into place.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 2 (tied) Shavkat Rakhmonov def. No. 7 Ian Machado Garry, No. 15 Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 13 Michael Web page vs. Shara Magomedov (UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Michael Morales (4), Rinat Fakhretdinov (1), Vicente Luque (1), Carlos Prates (1), Magomed Umalatov (1)

Light-weight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Islam Makhachev

Who’s No. 1 now? Makhachev

Makhachev staying on high got here as little shock, particularly with no clear risk looming (there was Arman Tsarukyan, however he wanted another high quality win and is now set to battle Makhachev in January). It was Dustin Poirier that received the Makhachev sweepstakes, as a lot a results of timing as it’s Poirier’s résumé, and Makhachev got here out on high in a memorable battle with the longtime fan-favorite.

You get the sense there’s a rising fatigue with Makhachev’s dominance, particularly if he solely manages one look a yr, however till somebody proves in any other case, he’s one of the best fighter in one of the best division in MMA, and our No. 1 on the pound-for-pound checklist.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 4 Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 1 Islam Makhachev vs. No. 2 Arman Tsarukyan (UFC 311, Jan. 18), No. 6 Usman Nurmagomedov vs. No. 14 Paul Hughes (PFL Highway to Dubai Champions Sequence, Jan. 25), No. 8 Beneil Dariush vs. No. 12 Renato Moicano (UFC 311, Jan. 18),

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Gadzhi Rabadanov (3), A.J. McKee (2), Grant Dawson (1), Matt Frevola (1), Paddy Pimblett (1), Alexandr Shabliy (1), Jalin Turner (1)

Falling out of the rankings (earlier rating proven): No. 14 A.J. McKee

Featherweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Alexander Volkanovski

Who’s No. 1 now? Ilia Topuria

Topuria turned the undisputed featherweight on the earth this yr and couldn’t have finished so in additional emphatic vogue.

Heading into his title battle with Volkanovski, it’s true that “The Nice” was coming off of a brutal head kick knockout by the hands of Islam Makhachev, however Volkanovski had nonetheless by no means misplaced in a bout contested at 145 kilos. When Topuria flattened him at UFC 298, it was actually stunning. And one of the best was but to come back.

Topuria’s first protection got here in opposition to Max Holloway, a legend of the division who had simply given followers one of many biggest moments in UFC historical past along with his buzzer-beating flatlining of Justin Gaethje. That made it much more unbelievable when Topuria turned the primary fighter ever to complete Holloway through strikes.

Staying No. 1 received’t be simple with Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes ready within the wings, however Topuria has choices at featherweight and light-weight, and one other legacy-building marketing campaign could possibly be within the playing cards.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 4 Movsar Evloev def. No. 11 Aljamain Sterling

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: N/A

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Dan Ige (2), Timur Khizriev (2), Adam Borics (1), Movlid Khaybulaev (1), Chihiro Suzuki (1)

Bantamweight

Photograph by Christian Petersen/Getty Photos

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Sean O’Malley

Who’s No. 1 now? Merab Dvalishvili

Nobody questioned Dvalishvili lastly incomes his shot on the UFC bantamweight title after delaying his championship desires for his shut pal Aljamain Sterling and working by way of a assassin’s row of ranked opposition to remain in rivalry. And who can deny it was a feel-good second to see the affable Georgian take pleasure in a long-awaited title triumph?

Sadly for Dvalishvili, he now faces the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, who is just not solely a authentic risk to finish his title reign in a number of weeks, however he might have not directly tarnished Dvalishvili’s popularity with the way in which the champion dodged talks of a possible battle between them earlier than it turned official.

No matter what occurs, you’ll all the time have UFC 306, Merab.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 6 Petr Yan def. No. 7 Deiveson Figueiredo

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 1 Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (UFC 311, Jan. 18), No. 9 Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Nkazimulo Zulu (RIZIN DECADE, Dec. 31)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Raufeon Stots (3), Magomed Magomedov (2), Kai Asakura (1), Montel Jackson (1), Kyler Phillips (1)

Flyweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Alexandre Pantoja

Who’s No. 1 now? Pantoja

Pantoja simply continues to deal with enterprise.

The UFC’s reigning flyweight champion and one of many top-5 pound-for-pound fighters on the earth, Pantoja hardly ever will get the credit score he deserves, a scenario that isn’t helped by the truth that he beat many of the greatest fighters within the division earlier than he received the title. That left the likes of Steve Erceg—apologies, “Vinny Cigs”—and RIZIN star Kai Asakura to problem Pantoja this yr, neither of whom moved the needle that a lot. Once more, nobody is accountable for this state of affairs, it’s simply how it’s.

The excellent news for Pantoja is that he doubtlessly has contemporary matchups with Manel Kape and Kai Kara-France (let’s simply neglect they fought on The Final Fighter, okay?) forward, which may solely increase his popularity ought to he proceed his string of excellent performances.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 1 Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura, No. 4 Brandon Moreno def. No. 6 Amir Albazi, No. 7 Adriano Moraes def. Danny Kingad, No. 11 Manel Kape def. Bruno “Bulldog” Silva

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 7 Adriano Moraes vs. Yuya Wakamatsu (ONE 172, March 23)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Tim Elliott (3), Charles Johnson (3), Hiromasa Ougikubo (2), Askar Akarov (1)

Girls’s Bantamweight

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Mayra Bueno Silva (yikes!)

Who’s No. 1 now? Kayla Harrison

Look, I swear there was a time it made sense to have Silva as No. 1 at 135 kilos.

Silva ended the Holly Holm reign of terror, ending the previous UFC champion with a ninja choke and on the time there was no bantamweight champion as a result of Amanda Nunes dipped. Julianna Peña was nowhere to be seen and placing Raquel Pennington within the high spot simply felt bizarre. We might have been a little bit determined for brand new blood, is what we’re saying.

Luckily for all you WBW fanatics, at the very least some semblance of order has been restored. Kayla Harrison is within the UFC and our new No. 1 as a result of why not? Julianna Peña is champion once more. And is that Norma Dumont I spy on the horizon? Girls’s bantamweight is again!

Now let’s want Silva good luck on her new life at 125 kilos and by no means converse of this regrettable incident once more.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): N/A

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 4 Macy Chiasson vs. No. 5 Ketlen Vieira (UFC Seattle, Feb. 22), No. 7 Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (flyweight bout) (UFC Saudi Arabia, Feb. 1), No. 10 Karol Rosa vs. No. 15 Ailin Perez (UFC 311, Jan. 18), No. 14 Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Julia Avila (UFC Struggle Evening, Feb. 15)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Nora Cornolle (4), Jennifer Maia (1), Melissa Mullins (1), Miesha Tate (1)

Girls’s Flyweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Alexa Grasso

Who’s No. 1 now? Valentina Shevchenko

Grasso’s maintain on No. 1 felt tenuous at greatest after her rematch with Shevchenko resulted in a scoring controversy. Certain sufficient, after they fought a 3rd time at UFC 306, Shevchenko left little doubt as to who’s the as soon as and future queen at flyweight.

Shevchenko has now conquered the division twice-over and outdoors of a much-needed conflict with Manon Fiorot (what’s the holdup?), it’s unclear who else could make their case to dethrone Shevchenko subsequent yr. Erin Blanchfield seems like she’s taken a step again regardless of nonetheless having unbelievable promise and Dakota Ditcheva isn’t prone to go away PFL anytime quickly. Would possibly I curiosity you in a Natty Ice?

For now, let’s recognize Shevchenko’s persistence and longevity as she ends one other yr on the high of the mountain.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 4 Erin Blanchfield def. No. 9 Rose Namajunas, No. 14 Dakota Ditcheva def. No. 5 Taila Santos, No. 12 Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva, No. 15 Jennifer Maia def. Talita Bernardo (bantamweight bout)

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 12 Amanda Ribas vs. Mackenzie Dern (strawweight bout) (UFC Vegas 101, Jan. 11)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Karine Silva (5), Ariane da Silva (2), Jena Bishop (1), Miranda Maverick (1)

Strawweight

Who was No. 1 this time final yr? Zhang Weili

Who’s No. 1 now? Zhang

This yr was type of a bummer for strawweight.

That’s to not blame Zhang, who did what she needed to do in opposition to fellow Chinese language standout Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 in her lone UFC title protection of the yr, but it surely feels prefer it’s been some time for the reason that champ has had a very memorable efficiency. Tatiana Suarez misplaced one other yr of her profession, Mackenzie Dern nonetheless hasn’t made the leap, and different ranked 115ers are nonetheless a methods away from contending.

The excellent news is Suarez is getting her long-awaited crack at Zhang in February (fingers crossed) and irrespective of who wins, we’ll have much more to say in regards to the No. 1 strawweight on the earth come subsequent December.

Current outcomes for ranked fighters (earlier rating proven): No. 3 Yan Xiaonan def. No. 12 Tabatha Ricci, No. 14 Gillian Robertson def. No. 15 Luana Pinheiro

Upcoming bouts that includes ranked fighters: No. 1 Zhang Weili vs. No. 2 Tatiana Suarez (UFC 312, Feb. 8), No. 6 Amanda Lemos vs. No. 7 Iasmin Lucindo (UFC 313, March 8), No. 8 Mackenzie Dern vs. No. 10 Amanda Ribas (UFC Vegas 101, Jan. 11)

Fighters additionally receiving votes (variety of poll appearances proven): Tecia Pennington (3), Loma Lookboonmee (2)

A refresher on the bottom guidelines:

• The six-person voting panel consists of MMA Combating staffers Alexander Okay. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, Mike Heck, E. Casey Leydon, Damon Martin, and Jed Meshew.
• Fighters can be faraway from the rankings if they don’t compete inside 18 months of their most up-to-date bout in a given weight class. Updates to the rankings are sometimes accomplished following every month’s UFC pay-per-view.
• Ought to a fighter announce their retirement, our panel will resolve whether or not that fighter ought to instantly be faraway from the rankings or keep their place till additional discover. (Let’s put it this manner: We’d have taken Khabib Nurmagomedov out of our rankings loads faster than the UFC did.)
• Holding a promotion’s title doesn’t assure that fighter can be considered as one of the best of their promotion. Moreover, fighters who usually compete or maintain titles in a number of weight lessons are eligible to be ranked in a number of lists.

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