Islam Makhachev’s Top 5 UFC Fighters Ranked

This upcoming weekend, in the main event of UFC 322, Islam Makhachev will aim to become just the 11th fighter in UFC history to win world titles in two separate divisions. The dominant Russian, who earlier this year broke the record for most consecutive lightweight title defences in the promotion’s history, vacated his title at 155lbs back in June after revealing his intention to become a two-weight world champion and move up to welterweight.

Makhachev will not only look to take Jack Della Maddalena’s welterweight title at UFC 322, but he will also look to reclaim his number one spot in the official male pound-for-pound rankings. Although he wasn’t defeated for his lightweight title, Makhachev was knocked off top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings by Ilia Topuria, after he also replaced him as lightweight king by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

The pound-for-pound debate is understandably a big topic of conversation coming into UFC 322, and the Russian has had his own say on who deserves to be ranked number one. During a recent appearance on Adin Ross’ Kick stream, Makhachev ranked his top five active pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC, and it is fair to say his selections are controversial and have caused a stir in the MMA world.

5

Ilia Topuria

Professional MMA record: 17-0

Although Ilia Topuria currently sits at the very top of the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings, on Islam Makhachev’s version, he places much lower in fifth. The undefeated Spaniard definitely has the accolades to back up being ranked number one. However, with the two currently being locked in a high-profile feud, it seems Makhachev’s judgement may have been clouded by his personal dislike for Topuria.

‘El Matador’ became just the 10th fighter in UFC history to win titles in two separate divisions this summer when he knocked out Charles Oliveira. It was that victory which catapulted him to the top spot in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings, replacing Makhachev. Topuria may occupy the top spot for now, but if the Russian is victorious at UFC 322, he will almost certainly leapfrog him back to number one.

4

Alexander Volkanovski

Professional MMA record: 27-4

In his 28-fight career so far, Islam Makhachev has only faced the same opponent multiple times once, and that man is Alexander Volkanovski.

Although Makhachev made easy work of the Australian in their second fight, the first fight was a modern-day back-and-forth classic, which some people thought Volkanovski won. Having gone a gruelling five rounds with him at UFC 284, Makhachev clearly has a lot of respect for ‘The Great,’ hence why he features in his top five pound-for-pound rankings.

After suffering back-to-back devastating KO defeats to both Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, many fans completely wrote Volkanovski off from ever doing anything in the sport again. However, back in April at UFC 314, ‘The Great’ became a two-time featherweight champion at the age of 36.

3

Tom Aspinall

Professional MMA record: 15-3-1 (NC)

Arguably, the most surprising inclusion in Islam Makhachev’s top five pound-for-pound rankings in the UFC right now is Tom Aspinall, who sits at number three. Although the Brit is undoubtedly an incredibly talented fighter, his inclusion has caused a stir online, as he currently probably has the weakest championship accolades amongst active male UFC champions.

As previously mentioned, although Aspinall is extremely talented and holds the undisputed UFC heavyweight title, he is yet to successfully defend it, and through no fault of his own, didn’t win the title in an undisputed title fight. If the heavyweight champ can go on to dominate the division with the belt wrapped around his waist, he will, of course, work his way up the UFC’s official rankings, but he has quite a way to go yet.

The Brit’s inclusion has been met with quite a bit of negativity, but that is probably mostly down to the fact that his underwhelming UFC 321 main event against Ciryl Gane is still fresh in fans’ minds.

2

Alexandre Pantoja

Professional MMA record: 30-5

There have been many underrated and underappreciated champions throughout the UFC’s history, and reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja certainly falls under both of those categories. The Brazilian’s incredible ability is clearly appreciated and recognised by Islam Makhachev, which is great to see, as the flyweight division never gets as much love as it deserves from fans.

Pantoja, to many, is still quite a long way off becoming the greatest flyweight in UFC history, as Demetrious Johnson’s accolades in the division are quite simply astonishing. However, he is making a strong case for being one of the greatest lighter-weight fighters of all time, and will undoubtedly further his case if he defeats Joshua Van at UFC 323 in what could be his fifth consecutive successful title defence.

1

Islam Makhachev

Professional MMA record: 27-1

It shouldn’t really come as a surprise that Islam Makhachev has backed himself as the UFC’s current pound-for-pound number one. Although some people will no doubt class this as arrogance from the Russian, he held the top spot in the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings for well over a year and was only replaced due to vacating his undisputed lightweight title.

Prior to vacating his undisputed UFC lightweight title, Makhachev broke the record for the most consecutive defences in the division’s history. During his run as champion, the Russian managed to defeat all-time greats such as Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira, who were both high in the official pound-for-pound rankings at the time, which makes his claim to be number one even stronger.

If Makhachev manages to defeat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 and become the new welterweight champion, he will not only more than likely leapfrog Ilia Topuria back to number one, but he may also be considered as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in MMA history.