Welcome to the most recent update of the MMA Fighting pound-for-pound rankings, where each month our distinguished panel sift through the noise to answer one question: Who are the best overall male and female MMA fighters in the world?
Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev pulled off unexpected victories against legendary opponents at UFC 308, while Bellator champion Cris Cyborg impressed in her PFL debut. Let’s take a look at how the rankings were shaken up at the end of October.
Ilia Topuria has entered the debate for the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, joining Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira in the discussion. Topuria’s remarkable performance against Max Holloway at UFC 308, where he secured a knockout victory, has positioned him as a top contender in the rankings.
Topuria now holds the No. 2 spot on the list, with some panelists even placing him at No. 1. His undefeated record and victories over top fighters like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway have solidified his position among the best in the sport.
The depth of the featherweight division combined with Topuria’s impressive title defense has put him in the running for Fighter of the Year and a potential top spot on the Pound-for-Pound list in the future.
Notably, Khamzat Chimaev has made a strong return to the rankings, claiming the No. 13 spot ahead of former champions Sean Strickland, Sean O’Malley, and Charles Oliveira. Chimaev’s victory over Robert Whittaker has garnered attention and propelled him back into the spotlight.
Francis Ngannou has also reentered the rankings after his knockout win over Renan Ferreira. However, opinions on Ngannou’s placement vary among the panelists, highlighting the need for him to face top opponents to solidify his position.
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 4 Ilia Topuria vs. No. 9 (tied) Max Holloway
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 4 Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura (UFC 310, Dec. 7), No. 5 Belal Muhammad vs. No. 18 Shavkat Rakhmonov (UFC 310, Dec. 7), No. 17 Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler (UFC, 309, Nov. 16), No. 19 (tied) Aljamain Sterling vs. Movsar Evloev (UFC 310, Dec. 7)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Israel Adesanya (4), Anatoly Malykhin (3), Kyoji Horiguchi (2), Patricio Pitbull (2), Robert Whittaker (2), Magomed Ankalaev (1), Johnny Eblen (1), Usman Nurmagomedov (1), Kamaru Usman (1)
Falling out of the rankings (previous ranking shown): No. 19 Israel Adesanya, No. 20 Patricio Pitbull (20)
Cris Cyborg showcased her dominance once again in her PFL debut, earning a decisive victory over Larissa Pacheco. Cyborg’s performance solidified her status as one of the top female fighters in the sport, with an impressive record and a spot in the top-5 Pound-for-Pound rankings.
Cyborg’s win ended Pacheco’s impressive win streak and highlighted her continued success in the octagon. Her legacy in the sport, even in the shadow of Amanda Nunes, is a testament to her skill and longevity.
When discussing unique athletes in the sport, Cris Cyborg stands out as a true standout.
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 7 Cris Cyborg def. No. 6 Larissa Pacheco
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 8 Erin Blanchfield vs. No. 10 Rose Namajunas (UFC Edmonton, Nov. 2), No. 11 Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci (UFC Macau, Nov. 23), No. 15 (tied) Taila Santos vs. Dakota Ditcheva (PFL 2024 Championships, Nov. 29)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Maycee Barber (2), Irene Aldana (1), Macy Chiasson (1), Dakota Ditcheva (1), Norma Dumont (1), Amanda Lemos (1), Marina Rodriguez (1), Mayra Bueno Silva (1), Ketlen Vieira (1)
Lastly, a refresher on some ground rules:
- The six-person voting panel consists of MMA Fighting staffers Alexander K. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, Mike Heck, E. Casey Leydon, Damon Martin, and Jed Meshew.
- Updates to the rankings will be completed following every UFC pay-per-view. Fighters will be removed from the rankings if they do not compete within 18 months of their most recent bout.
- If a fighter announces their retirement, the panel will decide whether to immediately remove them from the rankings or maintain their position until further notice.
As always, pound-for-pound rankings are subjective, and the debate can vary from person to person. It’s all in good fun!
Have any thoughts, questions, or concerns? Feel free to share in the comments below.