MMA divisional rankings: Amir Albazi steps up and makes move toward top
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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
That Amir Albazi won a fight on Saturday was nothing new for him.
The 29-year old, who was born in Iraq and fights out of London, came into his UFC Fight Night main event against Kai Kara-France with a 16-1 record, undefeated in four previous UFC fights.
But Kara-France was Albazi’s first ranked opponent, so even a slim split decision represented a huge step up in competition for Albazi. He passed the test, and as a result, he moves up several spots at men’s flyweight in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.
As for Kara-France, the defeat cost him a few spots in the top 10 but he’s still there among the contenders, right behind Albazi.
The UFC’s 125-pound division will further sort itself out next month, when champion Brandon Moreno faces fourth-ranked Alexandre Pantoja.
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 5. 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: July 22 vs. Marcin Tybura
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. Jailton Almeida
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2
Last: W (SUB1) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, May 13, 2023
Next: TBD
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: July 29 vs. Alex Pereira
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: June 8 vs. Ty Flores
9. Nikita Krylov
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-9
Last: W (Sub1) Ryan Spann, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Johnny Walker
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7
Last: W (SD) Anthony Smith, May 13, 2023
Next: TBD
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: July 29 vs. Jan Blachowicz
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: June 17 vs. Jared Cannonier
5. Jared Cannonier
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: W (SD) Sean Strickland, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: June 17 vs. Marvin Vettori
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: July 29 vs. Ikram Aliskerov
8. Johnny Eblen
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 13-0
Last: W (UD) Anatoly Tokov, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: Sept. 23 vs. Fabian Edwards
9. Sean Strickland
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-5
Last: W (UD) Nassourdine Imavov, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: July 1 vs. Abus Magomedov
10. Derek Brunson
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-9
Last: L (TKO2) Dricus Du Plessis, March 4, 2023
Next: TBD
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
Record: 23-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Gilbert Burns, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Khamzat Chimaev
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0
Last: W (Sub1) Kevin Holland, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD
5. Gilbert Burns
Promotion: UFC
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: July 29 vs. Michel Pereira
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: July 8 vs. Jack Della Maddalena
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: July 29 vs. Dustin Poirier
5. Dustin Poirier
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub3) Michael Chandler, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: July 29 vs. Justin Gaethje
6. Michael Chandler
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (Sub3) Dustin Poirier, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD vs. Conor McGregor
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: Aug. 12 vs. Vicente Luque
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: June 24 vs. Ilia Topuria
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: June 24 vs. Josh Emmett
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: Aug. 19 vs. Sean O’Malley
2. Merab Dvalishvili
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: W (UD) Petr Yan, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Henry Cejudo
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3
Last: L (SD) Aljamain Sterling, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Sean O’Malley
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Petr Yan, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: Aug. 19 vs. Aljamain Sterling
5. Cory Sandhagen
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: W (SD) Marlon Vera, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Petr Yan
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-5
Last: L (UD) Merab Dvalishvili, March 11, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Marlon Vera
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-8-1
Last: L (SD) Cory Sandhagen, March 25, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Rob Font
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-6
Last: W (TKO1) Adrian Yanez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Patchy Mix
Promotion: Bellator interim champion
Record: 18-1
Last: W (KO1) Raufeon Stots, April 22, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Song Yadong
Promotion: UFC
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: 25-4-1
Last: W (UD) Adriano Moraes, May 5, 2023
Next: TBD
3. Deiveson Figueiredo
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3-1
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD
4. Alexandre Pantoja 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 25-5
Last: W (Sub1) Alex Perez, July 30, 2022
Next: July 8 vs. Brandon Moreno
5. Adriano Moraes
Promotion: One Championship
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 20-5
Last: L (UD) Demetrious Johnson, May 5, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Amir Albazi
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 10
Record: 17-1
Last: W (SD) Kai Kara-France, June 3, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Kai Kara-France 
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 24-11, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Amir Albazi, June 3, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Brandon Royval
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 15-6
Last: W (KO1) Matheus Nicolau, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Matheus Nicolau
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 19-3-1
Last: L (KO1) Brandon Royval, April 15, 2023
Next: TBD
10. Manel Kape
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 18-6
Last: W (UD) David Dvorak, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: TBD
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: July 22 vs. Pannie Kianzad
5. Holly Holm
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-6
Last: W (UD) Yana Santos, March 25, 2023
Next: July 15 vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
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: 24-11
Last: L (KO1) Yan Xiaonan, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
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: Aug. 19 vs. Amanda Lemos
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: Aug. 19 vs. Zhang Weili
5. Yan Xiaonan
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3, 1 NC
Last: W (KO1) Jessica Andrade, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
6. Virna Jandiroba
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-3
Last: W (UD) Marina Rodriguez, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
7. Marina Rodriguez
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3-2
Last: L (UD) Virna Jandiroba, May 6, 2023
Next: TBD
8. Mackenzie Dern
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-3
Last: W (UD) Angela Hill, May 20, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Amanda Ribas
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: W (UD) Viviane Araujo, March 4, 2023
Next: June 24 vs. Maycee Barber
10. Luana Pinheiro
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (SD) Michelle Waterson-Gomez, April 8, 2023
Next: TBD
