UFC 257 was top-heavy with lightweight star power last weekend, and the evening’s results led to some significant movement in the ESPN divisional MMA rankings.
By finishing Conor McGregor in the main event in Abu Dhabi, Dustin Poirier moved up to No. 2 among 155-pound fighters. He’s behind only Khabib Nurmagomedov, who owns the UFC championship but could soon vacate if he follows through with his retirement announcement.
With the second-round TKO loss, McGregor falls out of the top 10.
The other upward movement in the lightweight rankings belongs to UFC 257 co-main event winner Michael Chandler, the former Bellator champ, who was making his UFC debut. His first-round TKO of Dan Hooker boosted Chandler into the top five.
UFC 257 was a good night for a couple of women on the card as well. Julianna Peña moved up to No. 3 among bantamweights on the strength of her submission finish of Sara McMann. And Marina Rodriguez jumped two spots to No. 6 at strawweight after knocking out Amanda Ribas.
For the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings, click here. For a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes, click here.
Note: Results are current; rankings as of Jan. 27.
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
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-3
Last: W (UD) Daniel Cormier, Aug. 15, 2020
Next: March 27 vs. Francis Ngannou
2. Francis Ngannou
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3
Last: W (KO1) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, May 9, 2020
Next: March 27 vs. Stipe Miocic
3. Curtis Blaydes
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Alexander Volkov, June 20, 2020
Next: Feb. 20 vs. Derrick Lewis
4. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (TKO2) Junior dos Santos, Aug. 15, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Derrick Lewis
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-7, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) Aleksei Oleinik, Aug. 8, 2020
Next: Feb. 20 vs. Curtis Blaydes
6. Alistair Overeem
Promotion: UFC
Record: 47-18, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO5) Augusto Sakai, Sept. 5, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Alexander Volkov
7. Alexander Volkov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-8
Last: W (TKO2) Walt Harris, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Alistair Overeem
8. Ciryl Gane
Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-0
Last: W (TKO2) Junior dos Santos, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Ryan Bader
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Shamil Abdurakhimov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5
Last: L (TKO2) Curtis Blaydes, Sept. 7, 2019
Next: TBD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)
1. Jon Jones
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Dominick Reyes, Feb. 8, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Jan Blachowicz
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 27-8
Last: W (TKO2) Dominick Reyes, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Israel Adesanya
3. Glover Teixeira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-7
Last: W (Sub3) Thiago Santos, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Dominick Reyes
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: L (TKO2) Jan Blachowicz, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: Feb. 27 vs. Jiri Prochazka
5. Thiago Santos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-8
Last: L (Sub3) Glover Teixeira, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Aleksandar Rakic
6. Corey Anderson
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 14-5
Last: W (TKO2) Melvin Manhoef, Nov. 5, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Vadim Nemkov
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO2) Ryan Bader, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Ryan Bader
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Aleksandar Rakic
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: W (UD) Anthony Smith, Aug. 29, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Thiago Santos
10. Jiri Prochazka
Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-3-1
Last: W (KO2) Volkan Oezdemir, July 11, 2020
Next: Feb. 27 vs. Dominick Reyes
MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)
1. Israel Adesanya
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-0
Last: W (TKO2) Paulo Costa, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Jan Blachowicz
2. Robert Whittaker
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-5
Last: W (UD) Jared Cannonier, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: April 17 vs. Paulo Costa
3. Paulo Costa
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-1
Last: L (TKO2) Israel Adesanya, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: April 17 vs. Robert Whittaker
4. Yoel Romero
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) Israel Adesanya, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Jared Cannonier
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) Robert Whittaker, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Darren Till
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3-1
Last: L (UD) Robert Whittaker, July 25, 2020
Next: April 10 vs. Marvin Vettori
7. Marvin Vettori
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4-1
Last: W (UD) Jack Hermansson, Dec. 5, 2020
Next: April 10 vs. Darren Till
8. Jack Hermansson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-5
Last: L (UD) Marvin Vettori, Dec. 5, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Derek Brunson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7
Last: W (TKO3) Edmen Shahbazyan, Aug. 1, 2020
Next: March 20 vs. Kevin Holland
10. Gegard Mousasi
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 47-7-2
Last: W (UD) Douglas Lima, Oct. 29, 2020
Next: TBD
WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)
1. Kamaru Usman
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 17-1
Last: W (UD) Jorge Masvidal, July 11, 2020
Next: Feb. 13 vs. Gilbert Burns
2. Colby Covington
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2
Last: W (TKO5) Tyron Woodley, Sept. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Douglas Lima
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 32-8
Last: L (UD) Gegard Mousasi, Oct. 29, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Leon Edwards
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: W (UD) Rafael dos Anjos, July 20, 2019
Next: March 13 vs. Khamzat Chimaev
5. Gilbert Burns
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3
Last: W (UD) Tyron Woodley, May 30, 2020
Next: Feb. 13 vs. Kamaru Usman
6. Stephen Thompson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4-1
Last: W (UD) Geoff Neal, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Jorge Masvidal
Promotion: UFC
Record: 35-14
Last: L (UD) Kamaru Usman, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Michael Chiesa
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 18-4
Last: W (UD) Neil Magny, Jan. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
9. Rory MacDonald
Promotion: Bellator
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 21-6-1
Last: L (UD) Douglas Lima, Oct. 26, 2019
Next: TBD
10. Tyron Woodley
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 19-6-1
Last: L (TKO5) Colby Covington, Sept. 19, 2020
Next: March 27 vs. Vicente Luque
LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 29-0
Last: W (Sub2) Justin Gaethje, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: Announced retirement
2. Dustin Poirier
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) Conor McGregor, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
3. Justin Gaethje
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 22-3
Last: L (Sub2) Khabib Nurmagomedov, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Charles Oliveira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-8, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Tony Ferguson, Dec.12, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Michael Chandler
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 22-5
Last: W (TKO1) Dan Hooker, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Tony Ferguson
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 25-5
Last: L (UD) Charles Oliveira, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Dan Hooker
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 20-10
Last: L (TKO1) Michael Chandler, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
8. Rafael Dos Anjos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-13
Last: W (SD) Paul Felder, Nov. 14, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Paul Felder
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6
Last: L (SD) Rafael dos Anjos, Nov. 14, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Diego Ferreira
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 17-2
Last: W (Sub2) Anthony Pettis, Jan. 18, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Beneil Dariush
MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)
1. Alexander Volkanovski
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-1
Last: W (SD) Max Holloway, July 11, 2020
Next: March 27 vs. Brian Ortega
2. Max Holloway
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-6
Last: W (UD) Calvin Kattar, Jan. 16, 2021
Next: TBD
3. Brian Ortega
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Chan Sung Jung, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: March 27 vs. Alexander Volkanovski
4. Patricio Freire
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 31-4
Last: W (TKO1) Pedro Carvalho, Nov. 12, 2020
Next: TBD vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
5. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1
Last: W (UD) Calvin Kattar, Nov. 9, 2019
Next: TBD
6. Calvin Kattar
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-5
Last: L (UD) Max Holloway, Jan. 16, 2021
Next: TBD
7. Yair Rodriguez
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Jeremy Stephens, Oct. 18, 2019
Next: TBD
8. Chan Sung Jung
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: L (UD) Brian Ortega, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Josh Emmett
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2
Last: W (UD) Shane Burgos, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Shane Burgos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: L (UD) Josh Emmett, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Petr Yan
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 15-1
Last: W (TKO5) Jose Aldo, July 11, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Aljamain Sterling
2. Aljamain Sterling
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3
Last: W (Sub1) Cory Sandhagen, June 6, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Petr Yan
3. Cory Sandhagen
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: W (TKO2) Marlon Moraes, Oct. 10, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Frankie Edgar
4. Cody Garbrandt
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: W (KO2) Raphael Assuncao, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Rob Font
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-4
Last: W (TKO1) Marlon Moraes, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Jose Aldo
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7
Last: W (UD) Marlon Vera, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Frankie Edgar
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-8-1
Last: W (SD) Pedro Munhoz, Aug. 22, 2020
Next: Feb. 6 vs. Cory Sandhagen
8. Pedro Munhoz
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Frankie Edgar, Aug. 22, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Marlon Moraes
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8-1
Last: L (TKO1) Rob Font, Dec. 19, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Raphael Assuncao
Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-8
Last: L (KO2) Cody Garbrandt, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Deiveson Figueiredo
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-1-1
Last: D (MD) Brandon Moreno, Dec.12, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Demetrious Johnson
Promotion: One Championship
Record: 30-3-1
Last: W (UD) Danny Kingad, Oct. 12, 2019
Next: April 7 vs. Adriano Moraes
3. Brandon Moreno
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-5-2
Last: D (MD) Deiveson Figueiredo, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Joseph Benavidez
Promotion: UFC
Record: 28-7
Last: L (Sub1) Deiveson Figueiredo, July 18, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Alex Perez
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-6
Last: L (Sub1) Deiveson Figueiredo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Askar Askarov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0-1
Last: W (UD) Alexandre Pantoja, July 18, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Alexandre Pantoja
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-5
Last: L (UD) Askar Askarov, July 18, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Brandon Royval
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-5
Last: L (TKO1) Brandon Moreno, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Jussier Formiga
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (TKO1) Alex Perez, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Kai Kara-France
Promotion: UFC
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
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-4
Last: W (UD) Felicia Spencer, June 6, 2020
Next: March 6 vs. Megan Anderson
2. Germaine de Randamie
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-4
Last: W (TechSub3) Julianna Peña, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Julianna Peña
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 10-4
Last: W (Sub3) Sara McMann, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
4. Aspen Ladd
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 9-1
Last: W (TKO3) Yana Kunitskaya, Dec. 7, 2019
Next: TBD
5. Holly Holm
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 14-5
Last: W (UD) Irene Aldana, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Irene Aldana
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (UD) Holly Holm, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Ketlen Vieira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (UD) Sijara Eubanks, Sept. 26, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Raquel Pennington
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-8
Last: W (UD) Marion Reneau, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Yana Kunitskaya
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Julija Stoliarenko, Aug. 8, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Marion Reneau
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 12-6
Last: L (Sub3) Julianna Peña, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Valentina Shevchenko
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-3
Last: W (UD) Jennifer Maia, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Jessica Andrade
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-8
Last: W (TKO1) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Katlyn Chookagian
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4
Last: W (UD) Cynthia Calvillo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Jennifer Maia
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-7-1
Last: L (UD) Valentina Shevchenko, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Joanne Calderwood
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5
Last: W (UD) Jessica Eye, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Lauren Murphy
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4
Last: W (Sub2) Liliya Shakirova, Oct. 24, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Juliana Velasquez
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 11-0
Last: W (UD) Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Dec. 10, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 11-1
Last: L (UD) Juliana Velasquez, Dec. 10, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Cynthia Calvillo
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-2-1
Last: L (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Liz Carmouche
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 14-7
Last: W (Sub3) DeAnna Bennett, Sept. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)
1. Zhang Weili
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-1
Last: W (SD) Joanna Jedrzejczyk, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
2. Rose Namajunas
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-4
Last: W (SD) Jessica Andrade, July 11, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: L (SD) Zhang Weili, March 7, 2020
Next: TBD
4. Carla Esparza
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6
Last: W (SD) Marina Rodriguez, July 25, 2020
Next: TBD
5. Yan Xiaonan
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Claudia Gadelha, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
6. Marina Rodriguez
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 13-1-2
Last: W (TKO2) Amanda Ribas, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
7. Claudia Gadelha
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Yan Xiaonan, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Michelle Waterson
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 18-8
Last: W (SD) Angela Hill, Sept. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
9. Tecia Torres
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-5
Last: W (TKO1) Sam Hughes, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Nina Ansaroff
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-6
Last: L (UD) Tatiana Suarez, June 8, 2019
Next: April 10 vs. Mackenzie Dern