Where are the biggest changes in the latest ESPN divisional MMA rankings? In the division with the biggest fighters, naturally.
The most significant volatility in the rankings has been in the heavyweight division, where Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane scored huge victories seven days apart within the last three weeks. And less than three weeks from now, the top two heavyweights in the rankings, champion Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, meet at UFC 260, bringing the strong possibility of more change.
The other divisions that saw significant change were lightweight and men’s flyweight, where the changes were fueled by big performances at UFC 259 on Saturday night. Islam Makhachev makes his debut in the 155-pound top 10 on the strength of a dominant victory over Drew Dober. And Askar Askarov moves up in the 125-pound hierarchy with a victory over longtime title contender Joseph Benavidez.
Beyond that, there’s a new UFC champion at men’s bantamweight, but that does not necessarily mean there is a new No. 1.
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 March 9.
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. Derrick Lewis 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 25-7, 1 NC
Last: W (KO2) Curtis Blaydes, Feb. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
4. Ciryl Gane
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 8-0
Last: W (UD) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Feb. 27, 2021
Next: TBD
5. Curtis Blaydes 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 14-3, 1 NC
Last: L (KO2) Derrick Lewis, Feb. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Alexander Volkov
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 33-8
Last: W (TKO2) Alistair Overeem, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
7. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 11-2
Last: L (UD) Ciryl Gane, Feb. 27, 2021
Next: TBD
8. Alistair Overeem
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 47-19, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Alexander Volkov, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
9. Ryan Bader
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: April 9 vs. Lyoto Machida
10. Shamil Abdurakhimov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5
Last: L (TKO2) Curtis Blaydes, Sept. 7, 2019
Next: May 1 vs. Augusto Sakai
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: 28-8
Last: W (UD) Israel Adesanya, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
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: May 1 vs. Jiri Prochazka
5. Aleksandar Rakic
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) Thiago Santos, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Corey Anderson
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 14-5
Last: W (TKO2) Melvin Manhoef, Nov. 5, 2020
Next: April 9 vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
7. Vadim Nemkov
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO2) Ryan Bader, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: April 16 vs. Phil Davis
8. Ryan Bader
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO2) Vadim Nemkov, Aug. 21, 2020
Next: April 9 vs. Lyoto Machida
9. Thiago Santos
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 21-9
Last: L (UD) Aleksandar Rakic, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
10. Jiri Prochazka
Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-3-1
Last: W (KO2) Volkan Oezdemir, July 11, 2020
Next: May 1 vs. Dominick Reyes
MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)
1. Israel Adesanya
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-1
Last: L (UD) Jan Blachowicz, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
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: April 16 vs. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson
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: 18-1
Last: W (TKO3) Gilbert Burns, Feb. 13, 2021
Next: TBD
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: TBD
5. Gilbert Burns
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4
Last: L (TKO3) Kamaru Usman, Feb. 13, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Stephen “Wonderboy” 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
Record: 18-4
Last: W (UD) Neil Magny, Jan. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
9. Rory MacDonald
Promotion: PFL
Record: 21-6-1
Last: L (UD) Douglas Lima, Oct. 26, 2019
Next: TBD
10. Tyron Woodley
Promotion: UFC
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
Record: 27-6, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) Conor McGregor, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
3. Justin Gaethje
Promotion: UFC
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
Record: 22-5
Last: W (TKO1) Dan Hooker, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
6. Tony Ferguson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5
Last: L (UD) Charles Oliveira, Dec. 12, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Dan Hooker
Promotion: UFC
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. Beneil Dariush
Promotion: UFC
Previous rankings: Unranked
Record: 20-4-1
Last: W (SD) Diego Ferreira, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
10. Islam Makhachev
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 19-1
Last: W (Sub3) Drew Dober, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
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: April 2 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: May 15 vs. Edson Barboza
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Petr Yan
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-2
Last: L (DQ4) Aljamain Sterling, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
2. Aljamain Sterling
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-3
Last: W (DQ4) Petr Yan, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
3. Cory Sandhagen
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (KO1) Frankie Edgar, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
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: 24-9-1
Last: L (KO1) Cory Sandhagen, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
8. Pedro Munhoz
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Jimmie Rivera, Feb. 27, 2021
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: June 12 vs. Brandon Moreno
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: June 12 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
4. Askar Askarov
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 13-0-1
Last: W (UD) Joseph Benavidez, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
5. Alex Perez
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-6
Last: L (Sub1) Deiveson Figueiredo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: May 15 vs. Matt Schnell
6. Alexandre Pantoja
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 23-5
Last: W (UD) Manel Kape, Feb. 6, 2021
Next: TBD
7. Brandon Royval
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 12-5
Last: L (TKO1) Brandon Moreno, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Kai Kara-France
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 22-9, 1 NC
Last: W (KO1) Rogério Bontorin, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
9. Joseph Benavidez
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 28-8
Last: L (UD) Askar Askarov, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
10. Jussier Formiga
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 23-8
Last: L (TKO1) Alex Perez, June 6, 2020
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Amanda Nunes
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-4
Last: W (Sub1) Megan Anderson,, March 6, 2021
Next: TBD
2. Germaine de Randamie
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-4
Last: W (TechSub3) Julianna Peña, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
3. Julianna Peña
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-4
Last: W (Sub3) Sara McMann, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: May 8 vs. Holly Holm
4. Aspen Ladd
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-1
Last: W (TKO3) Yana Kunitskaya, Dec. 7, 2019
Next: TBD
5. Holly Holm
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: W (UD) Irene Aldana, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: May 8 vs. Julianna Peña
6. Irene Aldana
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (UD) Holly Holm, Oct. 3, 2020
Next: TBD
7. Yana Kunitskaya
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 14-5, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Ketlen Vieira, Feb. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
8. Ketlen Vieira
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 11-2
Last: L (UD) Yana Kunitskaya, Feb. 20, 2021
Next: TBD
9. Raquel Pennington
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 11-8
Last: W (UD) Marion Reneau, June 20, 2020
Next: TBD
10. Marion Reneau
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (Sub3) Julianna Peña, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: March 20 vs. Macy Chiasson
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: April 24 vs. Jessica Andrade
2. Jessica Andrade
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-8
Last: W (TKO1) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 17, 2020
Next: April 24 vs. Valentina Shevchenko
3. Katlyn Chookagian
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4
Last: W (UD) Cynthia Calvillo, Nov. 21, 2020
Next: May 15 vs. Viviane Araujo
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: April 24 vs. Rose Namajunas
2. Rose Namajunas
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-4
Last: W (SD) Jessica Andrade, July 11, 2020
Next: April 24 vs. Zhang Weili
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
Record: 13-1-2
Last: W (TKO2) Amanda Ribas, Jan. 23, 2021
Next: TBD
7. Claudia Gadelha
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Yan Xiaonan, Nov. 7, 2020
Next: TBD
8. Michelle Waterson
Promotion: UFC
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
