It didn’t take long for Deiveson Figueiredo to unseat a legend.
The Brazilian became UFC men’s flyweight champion in July with his second straight finish of the longtime No. 2 at 125 pounds, Joseph Benavidez. Since then, Figueiredo already has defended his belt twice, with a first-round submission of Alex Perez on Nov. 21 and a majority draw against Brandon Moreno just 21 days later.
Now Figueiredo is newly No. 1 in the ESPN flyweight rankings, jumping over the man who ruled the weight class for years, Demetrious Johnson. The hierarchy could soon readjust, though, depending on how Johnson fares in his Feb. 24 challenge of One Championship flyweight titleholder Adriano Moraes.
The ascent of Figueiredo was just one of many changes in the latest ESPN divisional rankings. There was movement in most every weight class, and five divisions saw the top-10 emergence of previously unranked fighters.
For a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes, click here.
Note: Results are current; rankings as of Dec. 23.
Heavyweight – Light heavyweight – Middleweight – Welterweight
Lightweight – Men’s featherweight – Men’s bantamweight – Men’s flyweight
Women’s bantamweight – Women’s flyweight – Strawweight
HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)
1. Stipe Miocic 
Record: 12-3
Last: W (UD) Daniel Cormier, Aug. 15, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Francis Ngannou
Record: 15-3
Last: W (KO1) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, May 9, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Curtis Blaydes
Record: 14-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Alexander Volkov, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Record: 11-1
Last: W (TKO2) Junior dos Santos, Aug. 15, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Derrick Lewis
Record: 24-7, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) Aleksei Oleinik, Aug. 8, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Alistair Overeem
Record: 47-18, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO5) Augusto Sakai, Sept. 5, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Alexander Volkov
7. Alexander Volkov
Record: 32-8
Last: W (TKO2) Walt Harris, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Alistair Overeem
8. Ciryl Gane 
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 7-0
Last: W (TKO2) Junior dos Santos, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Ryan Bader
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Shamil Abdurakhimov
Record: 20-5
Last: L (TKO2) Curtis Blaydes, Sept. 7, 2019
Next: TBD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)
1. Jon Jones
Record: 26-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Dominick Reyes, Feb. 8, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Jan Blachowicz
Record: 27-8
Last: W (TKO2) Dominick Reyes, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Glover Teixeira
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 32-7
Last: W (Sub3) Thiago Santos, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Dominick Reyes 
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 12-2
Last: L (TKO2) Jan Blachowicz, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Thiago Santos
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 21-8
Last: L (Sub3) Glover Teixeira, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Aleksandar Rakic
6. Corey Anderson
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 14-5
Last: W (TKO2) Melvin Manhoef, Nov. 5, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Vadim Nemkov
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO2) Ryan Bader, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Ryan Bader
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Aleksandar Rakic
Record: 13-2
Last: W (UD) Anthony Smith, Aug. 29, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Thiago Santos
10. Jiri Prochazka
Record: 27-3-1
Last: W (KO2) Volkan Oezdemir, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)
1. Israel Adesanya
Record: 20-0
Last: W (TKO2) Paulo Costa, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Robert Whittaker
Record: 23-5
Last: W (UD) Jared Cannonier, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Paulo Costa
Record: 13-1
Last: L (TKO2) Israel Adesanya, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Yoel Romero
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) Israel Adesanya, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Jared Cannonier
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) Robert Whittaker, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Darren Till
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 18-3-1
Last: L (UD) Robert Whittaker, July 25, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Marvin Vettori
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 16-4-1
Last: W (UD) Jack Hermansson, Dec. 5, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Jack Hermansson
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 21-5
Last: L (UD) Marvin Vettori, Dec. 5, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Derek Brunson
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 21-7
Last: W (TKO3) Edmen Shahbazyan, Aug. 1, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Gegard Mousasi
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 47-7-2
Last: W (UD) Douglas Lima, Oct. 29, 2020
Next: TBD
WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)
1. Kamaru Usman
Record: 17-1
Last: W (UD) Jorge Masvidal, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Gilbert Burns
2. Colby Covington
Record: 16-2
Last: W (TKO5) Tyron Woodley, Sept. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Douglas Lima
Record: 32-8
Last: L (UD) Gegard Mousasi, Oct. 29, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Leon Edwards
Record: 18-3
Last: W (UD) Rafael dos Anjos, July 20, 2019
Next: Jan. 20 vs. Khamzat Chimaev
5. Gilbert Burns
Record: 19-3
Last: W (UD) Tyron Woodley, May 30, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Kamaru Usman
6. Stephen Thompson
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 16-4-1
Last: W (UD) Geoff Neal, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Jorge Masvidal
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 35-14
Last: L (UD) Kamaru Usman, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Rory MacDonald
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 21-6-1
Last: L (UD) Douglas Lima, Oct. 26, 2019
Next: TBD
9. Tyron Woodley
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 19-6-1
Last: L (TKO5) Colby Covington, Sept. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Michael Chiesa
Record: 17-4
Last: W (UD) Rafael dos Anjos, Jan. 25, 2020
Next: Jan. 20 vs. Neil Magny
LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Record: 29-0
Last: W (Sub2) Justin Gaethje, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: Announced retirement
2. Justin Gaethje
Record: 22-3
Last: L (Sub2) Khabib Nurmagomedov, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Dustin Poirier
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 26-6
Last: W (UD) Dan Hooker, June 27, 2020
Next: Jan. 23 vs. Conor McGregor
4. Charles Oliveira
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 30-8, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Tony Ferguson, Dec.12, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Tony Ferguson
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 25-5
Last: L (UD) Charles Oliveira, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Dan Hooker
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 20-9
Last: L (UD) Dustin Poirier, June 27, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Michael Chandler
Record: 21-5
Last: W (KO1) Benson Henderson, Aug. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Rafael Dos Anjos
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 30-13
Last: W (SD) Paul Felder, Nov. 14, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Paul Felder
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 17-6
Last: L (SD) Rafael dos Anjos, Nov. 14, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Conor McGregor
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 22-4
Last: W (TKO1) Donald Cerrone, Jan. 18, 2020
Next: Jan. 23 vs. Dustin Poirier
MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)
1. Alexander Volkanovski
Record: 22-1
Last: W (SD) Max Holloway, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Max Holloway
Record: 21-6
Last: L (SD) Alexander Volkanovski, July 11, 2020
Next: Jan. 16 vs. Calvin Kattar
3. Brian Ortega
Record: 15-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Chan Sung Jung, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Patricio Freire
Record: 31-4
Last: W (TKO1) Pedro Carvalho, Nov. 12, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
5. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Record: 18-1
Last: W (UD) Calvin Kattar, Nov. 9, 2019
Next: TBD
6. Calvin Kattar
Record: 22-4
Last: W (UD) Dan Ige, July 15, 2020
Next: Jan. 16 vs. Max Holloway
7. Yair Rodriguez
Record: 13-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Jeremy Stephens, Oct. 18, 2019
Next: TBD
8. Chan Sung Jung
Record: 16-6
Last: L (UD) Brian Ortega, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Josh Emmett
Record: 16-2
Last: W (UD) Shane Burgos, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Shane Burgos
Record: 13-2
Last: L (UD) Josh Emmett, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Petr Yan
Record: 15-1
Last: W (TKO5) Jose Aldo, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Aljamain Sterling
2. Aljamain Sterling
Record: 19-3
Last: W (Sub1) Cory Sandhagen, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Petr Yan
3. Cory Sandhagen
Record: 13-2
Last: W (TKO2) Marlon Moraes, Oct. 10, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Frankie Edgar
4. Cody Garbrandt
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 12-3
Last: W (KO2) Raphael Assuncao, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Rob Font
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 18-4
Last: W (TKO1) Marlon Moraes, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Jose Aldo
Record: 29-7
Last: W (UD) Marlon Vera, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Frankie Edgar
Record: 24-8-1
Last: W (SD) Pedro Munhoz, Aug. 22, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Cory Sandhagen
8. Pedro Munhoz
Record: 18-5, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Frankie Edgar, Aug. 22, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Marlon Moraes
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 23-8-1
Last: L (TKO1) Rob Font, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Raphael Assuncao
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 27-8
Last: L (KO2) Cody Garbrandt, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Deiveson Figueiredo
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 20-1-1
Last: D (MD) Brandon Moreno, Dec.12, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Demetrious Johnson
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 30-3-1
Last: W (UD) Danny Kingad, Oct. 12, 2019
Next: Feb. 24 vs. Adriano Moraes
3. Brandon Moreno
Record: 17-5-2
Last: D (MD) Deiveson Figueiredo, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Joseph Benavidez
Record: 28-7
Last: L (Sub1) Deiveson Figueiredo, July 18
Next: TBD
5. Alex Perez
Record: 24-6
Last: L (Sub1) Deiveson Figueiredo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Askar Askarov
Record: 12-0-1
Last: W (UD) Alexandre Pantoja, July 18, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Alexandre Pantoja
Record: 22-5
Last: L (UD) Askar Askarov, July 18, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Brandon Royval
Record: 12-5
Last: L (TKO1) Brandon Moreno, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Jussier Formiga
Record: 23-8
Last: L (TKO1) Alex Perez, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Kai Kara-France
Record: 21-9, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) Brandon Royval, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Amanda Nunes
Record: 20-4
Last: W (UD) Felicia Spencer, June 6, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Megan Anderson
2. Germaine de Randamie
Record: 10-4
Last: W (TechSub3) Julianna Peña, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Aspen Ladd
Record: 9-1
Last: W (TKO3) Yana Kunitskaya, Dec. 7, 2019
Next: TBD
4. Holly Holm
Record: 14-5
Last: W (UD) Irene Aldana, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Julianna Peña
Record: 9-4
Last: L (TechSub3) Germaine de Randamie, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Irene Aldana
Record: 12-6
Last: L (UD) Holly Holm, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Ketlen Vieira
Record: 11-1
Last: W (UD) Sijara Eubanks, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Raquel Pennington
Record: 11-8
Last: W (UD) Marion Reneau, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Yana Kunitskaya
Record: 13-5, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Julija Stoliarenko, Aug. 8, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Sara McMann
Record: 12-5
Last: W (UD) Lina Lansberg, Jan. 25, 2020
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Valentina Shevchenko
Record: 20-3
Last: W (UD) Jennifer Maia, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Jessica Andrade
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 21-8
Last: W (TKO1) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Katlyn Chookagian
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 15-4
Last: W (UD) Cynthia Calvillo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Jennifer Maia
Record: 18-7-1
Last: L (UD) Valentina Shevchenko, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Joanne Calderwood
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 14-5
Last: L (Sub1) Jennifer Maia, Aug. 1, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Lauren Murphy
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 14-4
Last: W (Sub2) Liliya Shakirova, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Juliana Velasquez
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 11-0
Last: W (UD) Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Dec. 10, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 11-1
Last: L (UD) Juliana Velasquez, Dec. 10, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Cynthia Calvillo
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 9-2-1
Last: L (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Liz Carmouche
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 14-7
Last: W (Sub3) DeAnna Bennett, Sept. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)
1. Zhang Weili
Record: 21-1
Last: W (SD) Joanna Jedrzejczyk, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Rose Namajunas
Record: 9-4
Last: W (SD) Jessica Andrade, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Record: 16-4
Last: L (SD) Zhang Weili, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Carla Esparza
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 17-6
Last: W (SD) Marina Rodriguez, July 25, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Yan Xiaonan
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 13-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Claudia Gadelha, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Claudia Gadelha
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Yan Xiaonan, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Michelle Waterson
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 18-8
Last: W (SD) Angela Hill, Sept. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Marina Rodriguez
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 12-1-2
Last: L (SD) Carla Esparza, July 25, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Tecia Torres
Record: 12-5
Last: W (TKO1) Sam Hughes, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Nina Ansaroff
Record: 10-6
Last: L (UD) Tatiana Suarez, June 8, 2019
Next: April 10 vs. Mackenzie Dern
