As always, the latest action on offer inside the Octagon has seen some climb the ladder toward contention and others fall away.
And in the aftermath of UFC 303, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.
Men’s Pound-For-Pound: Given how firm he’s been in laughing off suggestions that Islam Makhachev should be ranked above Jon Jones in the P4P pecking order, Dana White likely won’t be pleased with the latest update. As first reported by renowned journalist John Morgan, the UFC heavyweight champion has dropped a further position to #3.
Now in his place at #2 is Alex Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight kingpin who cemented his grip on the crown with a second victory over Jiří Procházka at UFC 303. That result has boosted “Poatan” above both Leon Edwards (#4) and Jones on the P4P list.
Women’s Pound-for-Pound: A few months on from her successful debut at UFC 300, Kayla Harrison has jumped above Ketlen Vieira (#14) to move up to #13 in the P4P ranks.
Women’s Strawweight: Gillian Robertson secured a crucial victory at UFC 303, outpointing the retiring Michelle Waterson-Gomez. As a result, she’s climbed two places to #13, leaving Iasmin Lucindo and her defeated opponent at #14 and #15, respectively.
Women’s Flyweight: No changes.
Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva had a strong start this past weekend rendered null by a brutal cut sustained from a Macy Chiasson elbow. The former title challenger has dropped three positions to #6 due to the doctor stoppage, with her victorious rival up two spots to #5. The changes have left Harrison (#3) and Irene Aldana (#4) one place better off each, while Holly Holm has had a slight fall to #7.
Flyweight: At 125 pounds, Cody Durden has risen one position to #14, while David Dvořák has returned to the top 15 on the final step of the ladder despite his reported release.
Bantamweight: No changes.
Featherweight: Diego Lopes had a difficult UFC 303 fight week, going from a Brian Ortega fight at 145 pounds to an Ortega fight at 155 pounds to a same-day notice Dan Ige fight at 165 pounds. He ultimately emerged victorious, and the Mexico-based Brazilian has been rewarded with a two-spot climb to #12 in the featherweight rankings. That’s left him above Bryce Mitchell (#13) and Ige (#14).
Lightweight: No changes.
Welterweight: No changes.
Middleweight: No changes.
Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith was another fighter faced with a late-notice assignment at UFC 303. After Carlos Ulberg pulled out, “Lionheart” fought and lost to ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze. The result has seen Smith (#11) fall below Ulberg (#10) at 205 pounds.
Meanwhile, the Georgian’s celebrations about being ranked in two divisions turned out to be premature, with Dolidze not appearing in the light heavyweight top 15 post-UFC 303.
Heavyweight: No changes.
You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.
