MMA divisional rankings: Alexander Volkov does heavy lifting to elevate himself

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The UFC heavyweight division is gridlocked at the moment, with champion Jon Jones recovering from a pectoral tear and interim champ Tom Aspinall having booked a fight not against “Bones” but with contender Curtis Blaydes.

It might appear that the rest of the top 10 has no opportunity to advance, but Alexander Volkov has been in the sport long enough — 48 pro fights, 16 in the UFC — to understand that if he just keeps working, good things will come.

That is what happened for him Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when Volkov dominated fellow Russian contender Sergei Pavlovich for his fourth straight victory. As a result, Volkov has moved up a spot to No. 4 in the ESPN heavyweight top 10. Pavlovich, previously No. 2 in Brett Okamoto’s rankings, has dropped to fifth.

The only other division with a change is light heavyweight, where Volkan Oezdemir has taken over Johnny Walker‘s No. 8 spot after knocking him out on Saturday.

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Robert Whittaker won the Riyadh main event but remained at No. 4 among middleweights, behind UFC champ Dricus Du Plessis and former titlists Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.

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 June 25. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

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. Tom Aspinallsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Sergei Pavlovich, Nov. 11, 2023
Next: July 27 vs. Curtis Blaydes

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2. Ciryl Ganegn arrow

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Serghei Spivac, Sept. 2, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Curtis Blaydesgn arrow

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 18-4, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Jailton Almeida, March 9, 2024
Next: July 27 vs. Tom Aspinall


4. Alexander Volkovgn arrow

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 38-10
Last: W (UD) vs. Sergei Pavlovich, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Sergei Pavlovichrd arrow

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 18-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Alexander Volkov, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Renan Ferreirasw ye 40

Promotion: PFL champion
Record: 13-3, 3 NC
Last: W (KO1) vs. Ryan Bader, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


7. Jailton Almeidasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Alexandr Romanov, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Serghei Spivacsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Ciryl Gane, Sept. 2, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Vadim Nemkovsw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 18-2, 1 NC
Last: W (TechSub2) vs. Bruno Cappelozza, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


10. Derrick Lewissw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 28-12, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento, May 11, 2024
Next: TBD


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Alex Pereirasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 10-2
Last: W (KO1) vs. Jamahal Hill, April 13, 2024
Next: June 29 vs. Jirí Procházka

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2. Jirí Procházkasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-4-1
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Aleksandar Rakic, April 13, 2024
Next: June 29 vs. Alex Pereira


3. Magomed Ankalaevsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1-1
Last: W (KO2) vs. Johnny Walker, Jan. 13, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Jamahal Hillsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 10-2
Last: W (KO1) vs. Alex Pereira, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Jan Blachowiczsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-10-1
Last: L (SD) vs. Alex Pereira, July 29, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Corey Andersonsw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 18-6, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Karl Moore, March 22, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Aleksandar Rakićsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4
Last: L (TKO) vs. Jiří Procházka, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Khalil Rountree Jr.sw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 37-19
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Anthony Smith, Dec. 9, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Volkan Oezdemirgn arrow

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked Record: 20-7
Last: W (KO1) vs. Johnny Walker, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD


10. Anthony Smithsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 38-19
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Vitor Petrino, May 4, 2024
Next: June 29 vs. Roman Dolidze


MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Dricus du Plessissw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-2
Last: W (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, Jan. 20, 2024
Next: Aug. 17 vs. Israel Adesanya

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2. Israel Adesanyasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Sean Strickland, Sept. 9, 2023
Next: Aug. 17 vs. Dricus du Plessis


3. Sean Stricklandsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-6
Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Robert Whittakersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-7
Last: W (KO1) vs. Ikram Aliskerov, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Johnny Eblensw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 15-0
Last: W (SD) vs. Impa Kasanganay, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Nassourdine Imavovsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO4) vs. Jared Cannonier, June 8, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Jared Cannoniersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-7
Last: L (TKO4) vs. Nassourdine Imavov, June 8, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Khamzat Chimaevsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-0
Last: W (MD) vs. Kamaru Usman, Oct. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Brendan Allensw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-5
Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD


10. Paulo Costasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4
Last: L (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD


WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Leon Edwardssw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Colby Covington, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: July 27 vs. Belal Muhammad

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2. Kamaru Usmansw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-4
Last: L (MD) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, Oct. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Belal Muhammadsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Gilbert Burns, May 6, 2023
Next: July 27 vs. Leon Edwards


4. Shavkat Rakhmonovsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-0
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Stephen Thompson, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Jack Della Maddalenasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-2
Last: W (KO3) vs. Gilbert Burns, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Gilbert Burnssw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-7
Last: L (KO3) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Colby Covingtonsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Jason Jacksonsw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Ramazan Kuramagomedov, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD


9. Sean Bradysw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1
Last: W (Sub3) vs. Kelvin Gastelum, Dec. 2, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Ian Machado Garrysw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-0
Last: W (SD) vs. Geoff Neal, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: June 29 vs. Michael “Venom” Page


LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachevsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 26-1
Last: W (Sub5) vs. Dustin Poirier, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Arman Tsarukyansw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-3
Last: W (SD) vs. Charles Oliveira, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


3. Charles Oliveirasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 34-10, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Justin Gaethjesw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5
Last: L (KO5) vs. Max Holloway, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Dustin Poiriersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-9, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub5) vs. Islam Makhachev, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Beneil Dariushsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-6-1
Last: L (KO1) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, Dec. 2, 2023
Next: TBD

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7. Mateusz Gamrotsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Rafael Fizievsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-8
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Mateusz Gamrot, Sept. 23, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Dan Hookersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-12
Last: W (SD) vs. Jalin Turner, July 8, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Jalin Turnersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-8
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Renato Moicano, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Ilia Topuriasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 15-0
Last: W (KO2) vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Alexander Volkanovskisw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-4
Last: L (KO2) vs. Ilia Topuria, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD


3. Max Hollowaysw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-7
Last: W (KO5) vs. Justin Gaethje, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Brian Ortegasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub3) vs. Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: June 29 vs. Diego Lopes


5. Yair Rodriguezsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub3) vs. Brian Ortega, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Patricio Freiresw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 36-7
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jeremy Kennedy, March 22, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Josh Emmettsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4
Last: W (KO1) vs. Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Movsar Evloevsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Arnold Allen, Jan. 20, 2024
Next: TBD


9. Arnold Allensw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Movsar Evloev, Jan. 20, 2024
Next: July 27 vs. Giga Chikadze


10. Aljamain Sterlingsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Calvin Kattar, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Sean O’Malleysw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 18-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Merab Dvalishvilisw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Henry Cejudo, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD


3. Cory Sandhagensw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Rob Font, Aug. 5, 2023
Next: Aug. 3 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov


4. Petr Yansw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Song Yadong, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Henry Cejudosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD


6. Jose Aldosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-8
Last: W (UD) vs. Jonathan Martinez, May 4, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Patchy Mixsw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 20-1
Last: W (SD) vs. Magomed Magomedov, May 17, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Marlon Verasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-9-1
Last: L (UD) vs. Sean O’Malley, March 9, 2024
Next: Aug. 3 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo


9. Deiveson Figueiredosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3-1
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Cody Garbrandt, April 13, 2024
Next: Aug. 3 vs. Marlon Vera


10. Sergio Pettissw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 23-7
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Patchy Mix, Nov. 17, 2023
Next: TBD


MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexandre Pantojasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 28-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Steve Erceg, May 4, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Brandon Royvalsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-7
Last: W (SD) vs. Brandon Moreno, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


3. Brandon Morenosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-8-2
Last: L (SD) vs. Brandon Royval, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Steve Ercegsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: L (UD) vs. Alexandre Pantoja, May 4, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Manel Kapesw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6
Last: W (UD) vs. Felipe dos Santos, Sept. 9, 2023
Next: July 27 vs. Muhammad Mokaev


6. Muhammad Mokaevsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0,1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Alex Perez, March 2, 2024
Next: July 27 vs. Manel Kape

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7. Tatsuro Tairasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-0
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Alex Perez, June 15, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Alex Perezsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-9
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tatsuro Taira, June 15, 2024
Next: TBD


9. Matheus Nicolausw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5-1
Last: L (KO1) vs. Alex Perez, April 27, 2024
Next: TBD


10. Tim Elliottsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-13-1
Last: W (TechSub1) vs. Sumudaerji, Dec. 9, 2023
Next: TBD


WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Raquel Penningtonsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-8
Last: W (UD) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, Jan. 20, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Kayla Harrisonsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-1
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Holly Holm, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


3. Ketlen Vieirasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Pannie Kianzad, July 22, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Holly Holmsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-7, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Kayla Harrison, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Irene Aldanasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-7
Last: W (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


6. Sara McMannsw ye 40

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 14-7
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Leah McCourt, Oct. 7, 2023
Next: TBD


7. Norma Dumontsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Germaine de Randamie, April 6, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Pannie Kianzadsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-8
Last: L (Sub1) vs. Macy Chiasson, March 16, 2024
Next: TBD


9. Karol Rosasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6
Last: L (UD) vs. Irene Aldana, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Yana Santossw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-8, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) vs. Karol Rosa, July 1, 2023
Next: TBD


WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Alexa Grassosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-3-1
Last: Split draw vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Sept. 16, 2023
Next: TBD

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2. Valentina Shevchenkosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4-1
Last: Split draw vs. Alexa Grasso, Sept. 16, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Manon Fiorotsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Erin Blanchfield, March 30, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Erin Blanchfieldsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: L (UD) vs. Manon Fiorot, March 30, 2024
Next: TBD


5. Liz Carmouchesw ye 40

Promotion: PFL / Bellator champion
Record: 22-7
Last: W (Sub3) vs. Kana Watanabe, June 13, 2024
Next: Aug. 2 vs. Taila Santos


6. Maycee Barbersw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Katlyn Cerminara, March 9, 2024
Next: July 13 vs. Rose Namajunas

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7. Jessica Andradesw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-12
Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Katlyn Cerminarasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-6
Last: L (UD) vs. Maycee Barber, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD


9. Rose Namajunassw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: W (UD) vs. Amanda Ribas, March 23, 2024
Next: July 13 vs. Maycee Barber


10. Viviane Araujosw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (UD) vs. Natalia Silva, Feb. 3, 2024
Next: July 13 vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius


STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weilisw ye 40

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 25-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Yan Xiaonan, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD

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2. Amanda Lemossw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-3-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Mackenzie Dern, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: July 20 vs. Virna Jandiroba


3. Yan Xiaonansw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Zhang Weili, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


4. Tatiana Suarezsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-0
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Jessica Andrade, Aug. 5, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Virna Jandirobasw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Loopy Godínez, March 30, 2024
Next: July 20 vs. Amanda Lemos


6. Jessica Andradesw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-12
Last: W (SD) vs. Marina Rodriguez, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD

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7. Marina Rodriguezsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4-2
Last: L (SD) vs. Jessica Andrade, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD


8. Mackenzie Dernsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Amanda Lemos, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: Aug. 3 vs. Loopy Godínez


9. Amanda Ribassw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas, March 23, 2024
Next: TBD


10. Angela Hillsw ye 40

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-13
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Luana Pinheiro, May 18, 2024
Next: TBD

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