MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria, Who Tops the Charts?

Sports news » MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Islam Makhachev or Ilia Topuria, Who Tops the Charts?

7 months ago 63

Islam Makhachev has maintained his position as the pound-for-pound king for more than 600 days.

Following the events of UFC 317, that long reign appears to be significantly challenged.

While Ilia Topuria had aimed to solidify his legacy by defeating Makhachev, he instead secured the vacant lightweight title. This came after delivering a potential Knockout of the Year against future Hall of Famer Charles Oliveira, making Topuria one of just ten fighters in UFC history to capture championships in two different divisions.

Undoubtedly, a win over Makhachev would have left no room for debate regarding the No. 1 spot. However, the undefeated Topuria has built a strong argument for himself, including remarkable knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. With Makhachev`s next fight against Jack Della Maddalena still on the horizon, there`s ample time to consider just how compelling Topuria`s case is.

Already, two of our panel members are convinced. While Makhachev previously held a unanimous No. 1 ranking in June, the top spot is now shared among three fighters: Makhachev garnered three votes, Topuria received two, and flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja claimed one. Other top contenders like Merab Dvalishvili, Dricus du Plessis, Tom Aspinall, and Magomed Ankalaev are close behind. If Makhachev were to lose against Della Maddalena, it`s entirely possible he could drop multiple positions, a notion that seems surprising given his significant accomplishments to date.

In essence, the discussion around the pound-for-pound best fighter is exciting once more!

This renewed interest is partly attributed to a notable fighter, known for his infrequent activity, finally deciding to step away from competition. Jon Jones remains a key figure in any discussion of the greatest fighters of all time, but he is no longer included in our current rankings after announcing his retirement.

The interim heavyweight champion had been steadily declining in our rankings for months as it became increasingly apparent that he would not be competing against fighters like Tom Aspinall or other potential opponents. His permanent removal simplifies the ranking process, eliminating the need to account for a fighter who appeared to have lost his enthusiasm for active competition some time ago.

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