Divisional: Aljamain Sterling extends title fight win streak to stay on top at 135
-
Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
Aljamain Sterling is still the king of the men’s bantamweight division.
His split decision win over former double champ Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC 288 on Saturday gave him the record for the most consecutive title defenses in division history (3).
Even with the loss in his return to the Octagon, Cejudo reenters the ESPN men’s bantamweight rankings at the No. 3 spot. Cejudo now sits behind only Sterling and Sterling’s training partner Merab Dvalishvili in the top 10.
Welterweight Belal Muhammad and women’s strawweight Yan Xiaonan also moved up the rankings in the respective divisions after getting wins on Saturday night. Muhammad, who beat Gilbert Burns via unanimous decision, is expected to be the next in line for a shot at the 170-pound title. And Yan, who beat Jessica Andrade via first-round knockout placed herself in the conversation for to be the next challenger for the 115-pound belt against reigning champ Zhang Weili.
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 May 9. In order 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. Jon Jones 
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub1) Ciryl Gane, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Sergei Pavlovich
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1
Last: W (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Ciryl Gane
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-2
Last: L (Sub1) Jon Jones, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Curtis Blaydes
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Sergei Pavlovich, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD
5. Tai Tuivasa
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: L (KO1) Sergei Pavlovich, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD
6. Tom Aspinall
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: L (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, July 23, 2022
Next: TBD
7. Serghei Spivac
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3
Last: W (Sub1) Derrick Lewis, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Alexander Volkov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-10
Last: W (TKO1) Alexandr Romanov, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Ryan Bader
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 31-7, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) Fedor Emelianenko, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-4
Last: W (TKO1) Chris Daukaus, Dec. 10, 2022
Next: May 13 vs. Jailton Almeida
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)
1. Jiri Prochazka
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-3-1
Last: W (Sub5) Glover Teixeira, June 11, 2022
Next: TBD
2. Jamahal Hill
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Glover Teixeira, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Jan Blachowicz
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-9-1
Last: D (SD) Magomed Ankalaev, Dec.10, 2022
Next: TBD
4. Magomed Ankalaev
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1-1
Last: D (SD) Jan Blachowicz, Dec. 10, 2022
Next: TBD
5. Vadim Nemkov
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 16-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Corey Anderson, Nov. 18, 2022
Next: June 16 vs. Yoel Romero
6. Aleksandar Rakic
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: L (TKO3) Jan Blachowicz, May 14, 2022
Next: TBD
7. Corey Anderson
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 16-6, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) Vadim Nemkov, Nov. 18, 2022
Next: June 16 vs. Phil Davis
8. Rob Wilkinson
Promotion: PFL
Record: 18-2
Last: W (UD) Thiago Santos, April 1, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Nikita Krylov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-9
Last: W (Sub1) Ryan Spann, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Anthony Smith
Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-17
Last: L (TKO2) Magomed Ankalaev, July 30, 2022
Next: May 13 vs. Johnny Walker
MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)
1. Israel Adesanya
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 24-2
Last: W (TKO2) Alex Pereira, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Alex Pereira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 7-2
Last: L (TKO2) Israel Adesanya, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Robert Whittaker
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-6
Last: W (UD) Marvin Vettori, Sept. 3, 2022
Next: July 8 vs. Dricus Du Plessis
4. Marvin Vettori
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6-1
Last: W (UD) Roman Dolidze, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD
5. Jared Cannonier
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: W (SD) Sean Strickland, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: TBD
6. Dricus du Plessis
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2
Last: W (TKO2) Derek Brunson, March 4, 2023
Next: July 8 vs. Robert Whittaker
7. Paulo Costa
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) Luke Rockhold, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: TBD
8. Johnny Eblen
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 13-0
Last: W (UD) Anatoly Tokov, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Sean Strickland
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-5
Last: W (UD) Nassourdine Imavov, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: July 1 vs. Abus Magomedov
10. Gegard Mousasi
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 49-8-2
Last: L (UD) Johnny Eblen, June 24, 2022
Next: May 12 vs. Fabian Edwards
WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)
1. Leon Edwards
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-3, 1 NC
Last: W (MD) Kamaru Usman, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Kamaru Usman
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3
Last: L (MD) Leon Edwards, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Belal Muhammad 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 23-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Gilbert Burns, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Khamzat Chimaev 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 12-0
Last: W (Sub1) Kevin Holland, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD
5. Gilbert Burns
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 22-6
Last: L (UD) Belal Muhammad, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Yaroslav Amosov
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 27-0
Last: W (UD) Logan Storley, Feb. 25, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-0
Last: W (Sub3) Geoff Neal, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Stephen Thompson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6-1
Last: W (TKO4) Kevin Holland, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD
9. Geoff Neal
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5
Last: L (Sub3) Shavkat Rakhmonov, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Sean Brady
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-1
Last: L (TKO2) Belal Muhammad, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD
LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)
1. Islam Makhachev
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-1
Last: W (UD) Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Charles Oliveira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 33-9, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) Islam Makhachev, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: June 10 vs. Beneil Dariush
3. Beneil Dariush
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4-1
Last: W (UD) Mateusz Gamrot, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: June 10 vs. Charles Oliveira
4. Justin Gaethje
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4
Last: W (MD) Rafael Fiziev, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD
5. Dustin Poirier
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub3) Michael Chandler, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD
6. Michael Chandler
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (Sub3) Dustin Poirier, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD
7. Rafael Fiziev
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-7
Last: L (MD) Justin Gaethje, March 18, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Mateusz Gamrot
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-2, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Jalin Turner, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Rafael dos Anjos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-14
Last: W (Sub2) Bryan Barberena, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD
10. Arman Tsarukyan
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: W (UD) Damir Ismagulov, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: TBD
MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)
1. Alexander Volkanovski
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 25-2
Last: L (UD) Islam Makhachev, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: July 8 vs. Yair Rodriguez
2. Max Holloway
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-7
Last: W (UD) Arnold Allen, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Yair Rodriguez
Promotion: UFC interim champion
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub2) Josh Emmett, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: July 8 vs. Alexander Volkanovski
4. Patricio Freire
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 35-5
Last: W (UD) Kleber Koike Erbst, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: June 16 vs. Sergio Pettis
5. Brian Ortega
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Yair Rodriguez, July 16, 2022
Next: TBD
6. A.J. McKee
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 20-1
Last: W (UD) Roberto de Souza, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: TBD
7. Josh Emmett
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: L (Sub2) Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Arnold Allen
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2
Last: L (UD) Max Holloway, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Calvin Kattar
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-7
Last: L (TKO2) Arnold Allen, Oct. 29, 2022
Next: TBD
10. Ilia Topuria
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-0
Last: W (Sub2) Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 10, 2022
Next: TBD
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Aljamain Sterling
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-3
Last: W (SD) Henry Cejudo, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Merab Dvalishvili
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: W (UD) Petr Yan, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Henry Cejudo
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 16-3
Last: L (SD) Aljamain Sterling, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Sean O’Malley
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 16-1, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Petr Yan, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD
5. Cory Sandhagen
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 16-4
Last: W (SD) Marlon Vera, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Petr Yan
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 16-5
Last: L (UD) Merab Dvalishvili, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Marlon Vera
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 20-8-1
Last: L (SD) Cory Sandhagen, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Rob Font
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 20-6
Last: W (TKO1) Adrian Yanez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Patchy Mix
Promotion: Bellator interim champion
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 18-1
Last: W (KO1) Raufeon Stots, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Song Yadong
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 20-7-1, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO5) Ricky Simon, April 29, 2023
Next: TBD
MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Brandon Moreno
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-6-2
Last: W (TKO3) Deiveson Figueiredo, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: July 8 vs. Alexandre Pantoja
2. Demetrious Johnson
Promotion: One Championship champion
Record: 31-4-1
Last: W (KO4) Adriano Moraes, Aug. 26, 2022
Next: May 5 vs. Adriano Moraes
3. Deiveson Figueiredo
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3-1
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Kai Kara-France
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-10, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, July 30, 2022
Next: June 3 vs. Amir Albazi
5. Alexandre Pantoja
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 25-5
Last: W (Sub1) Alex Perez, July 30, 2022
Next: July 8 vs. Brandon Moreno
6. Adriano Moraes
Promotion: One Championship
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 20-5
Last: L (KO4) Demetrious Johnson, Aug. 26, 2022
Next: TBD
7. Brandon Royval
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-6
Last: W (KO1) Matheus Nicolau, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Matheus Nicolau
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3-1
Last: L (KO1) Brandon Royval, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Rogerio Bontorin
Promotion: Unsigned
Record: 16-5, 2 1 NC
Last: L (KO2) Yuki Motoya, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: TBD
10. Amir Albazi
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1
Last: W (KO3) Alessandro Costa, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: June 3 vs. Kai Kara-France
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Amanda Nunes
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-5
Last: W (UD) Julianna Peña, July 30, 2022
Next: June 10 vs. Irene Aldana
2. Julianna Peña
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-5
Last: L (UD) Amanda Nunes, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD
3. Raquel Pennington
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-8
Last: W (SD) Ketlen Vieira, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Ketlen Vieira
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-3
Last: L (SD) Raquel Pennington, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: TBD
5. Holly Holm
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-6
Last: W (UD) Yana Santos, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Irene Aldana
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6
Last: W (KO3) Macy Chiasson, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: June 10 vs. Amanda Nunes
7. Yana Santos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-7, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) Holly Holm, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Sara McMann
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 14-6
Last: W (UD) Arlene Blencowe, April 21, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Macy Chiasson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3
Last: L (KO3) Irene Aldana, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD
10. Norma Dumont
Promotion: UFC
Record: 9-2
Last: W (UD) Karol Rosa, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Alexa Grasso
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-3
Last: W (Sub4) Valentina Shevchenko, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
2. Valentina Shevchenko
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4
Last: L (Sub4) Alexa Grasso, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Manon Fiorot
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-1
Last: W (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD
4. Erin Blanchfield
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (Sub2) Jessica Andrade, Feb. 18, 2023
Next: TBD
5. Jessica Andrade
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-10
Last: L (Sub2) Erin Blanchfield, Feb. 18, 2023
Next: May 6 vs. Yan Xiaonan
6. Liz Carmouche
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 19-7
Last: W (Sub4) DeAnna Bennett, April 21, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Katlyn Chookagian
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Manon Fiorot, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD
8. Lauren Murphy
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: L (UD) Jessica Andrade, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Taila Santos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1
Last: L (SD) Valentina Shevchenko, June 11, 2022
Next: TBD
10. Juliana Velasquez
Promotion: Bellator
Record: 12-2
Last: L (Sub2) Liz Carmouche, Dec. 9, 2022
Next: TBD
STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)
1. Zhang Weili
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-2
Last: W (Sub2) Carla Esparza, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD
2. Carla Esparza
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7
Last: L (Sub2) Zhang Weili, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD
3. Rose Namajunas
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-5
Last: L (SD) Carla Esparza, May 7, 2022
Next: TBD
4. Amanda Lemos
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2-1
Last: W (TKO3) Marina Rodriguez, Nov. 5, 2022
Next: TBD
5. Yan Xiaonan
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 14-3, 1 NC
Last: W (KO1) Jessica Andrade, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Virna Jandiroba
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 19-3
Last: W (UD) Marina Rodriguez, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Marina Rodriguez
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 16-3-2
Last: L (UD) Virna Jandiroba, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Mackenzie Dern
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 12-3
Last: L (MD) Yan Xiaonan, Oct. 1, 2022
Next: May 20 vs. Angela Hill
9. Amanda Ribas
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 12-3
Last: W (UD) Viviane Araujo, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Luana Pinheiro
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 11-1
Last: W (SD) Michelle Waterson-Gomez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
