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MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings October 2026: Volkanovski and Yan Clash for Top Spot After UFC 333

After UFC 333, the battle for supremacy in MMA’s pound-for-pound list has intensified, with Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan both showcasing dominant performances. Volkanovski's knockout win over Movsar Evloev moved him up to No. 2, right behind the reigning top dog, Islam Makhachev. The rankings consider fighters across all major promotions, including UFC, PFL, RIZIN, and ONE Championship.

  • 1. Islam Makhachev — UFC welterweight champion (Previous: 1)With a potential interim title fight looming between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, Makhachev's path seems less cluttered for now.
  • 2. Alexander Volkanovski — UFC featherweight champion (Previous: 3)His confident performance at UFC 333 affirmed his status as a top contender; speculation continues about a possible showdown with lightweight champ Justin Gaethje.
  • 3. Petr Yan — UFC bantamweight champion (Previous: 2)Recovered well from back surgery, Yan secured the undisputed bantamweight title by defeating Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy bout.
  • 4. Joshua Van — UFC flyweight champion (Previous: 4)The 25-year-old is quickly adding to his legacy, with another title defense scheduled against Manel Kape at UFC 336.
  • 5. Justin Gaethje — UFC lightweight champion (Previous: 5)Gaethje remains a sought-after champion, calmly holding the belt amid challenges from Volk and Arman Tsarukyan.
  • 6. Ilia Topuria — Former UFC two-division champion (Previous: 7)Topuria’s future is uncertain after recent setbacks; a potential return in February is anticipated.
  • 7. Sean Strickland — UFC middleweight champion (Previous: 8)Strickland has settled after contract disputes and is expected to face Nassourdine Imavov next.
  • 8. Arman Tsarukyan — UFC lightweight contender (Previous: 10)Known for his fiery attitude, Tsarukyan recently clashed with Dillon Danis and awaits a title shot opportunity.
  • 9. Merab Dvalishvili — Former UFC bantamweight champion (Previous: 6)Dvalishvili’s year has been tough after losing narrowly to Yan; questions remain about his next steps.
  • 10. Carlos Ulberg — UFC light heavyweight champion (Previous: NR)Following a decade of success and an ACL injury, Ulberg is expected to return mid-2027.

Others receiving votes: Alexandre Pantoja, Ciryl Gane, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev.

Women's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

The women's rankings continue to be led by former champions Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili, despite neither currently holding belts. Rising stars and current champions are making waves below them.

  • 1. Valentina Shevchenko — Former UFC flyweight champion (Previous: 1)Shevchenko’s future in the division is unclear as new contenders like Natalia Silva and Jasmine Jasudavicius rise.
  • 2. Zhang Weili — Former UFC strawweight champion (Previous: 3)Zhang enjoys life outside the UFC, with a potential return possibly matching her against Mackenzie Dern.
  • 3. Kayla Harrison — UFC bantamweight champion (Previous: 2)Harrison prepares to face Amanda Nunes at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden this November.
  • 4. Cris Cyborg — PFL women’s featherweight champion (Previous: 4)Though opponents are scarce, Cyborg isn’t finished yet and may appear in upcoming Ki MMA or MVP MMA events.
  • 5. Natalia Silva — UFC flyweight champion (Previous: 5)Silva adjusts to championship life and may face Shevchenko or other challengers soon.
  • 6. Dakota Ditcheva — PFL flyweight contender (Previous: 6)Ditcheva’s rematch with Jena Bishop looks set to be a major event after Bishop’s recent upset over Liz Carmouche.
  • 7. Mackenzie Dern — UFC strawweight champion (Previous: 7)Dern will soon defend her title against tough competition, possibly Zhang or Tatiana Suarez.
  • 8. Amanda Nunes — UFC bantamweight contender (Previous: 8)Nunes seems committed to a longer comeback tour with a key fight set for November 14.
  • 9. Alexa Grasso — UFC flyweight contender (Previous: 9)Grasso’s resurgence includes wins over Maycee Barber and Manon Fiorot, putting her in line for a title shot.
  • 10. Seika Izawa — Former RIZIN super atomweight champion (Previous: 10)Currently on maternity leave, Izawa has compiled an impressive submission record at only 28 years old.

Others receiving votes: Tatiana Suarez, Erin Blanchfield, Fatima Kline, Virna Jandiroba, Liz Carmouche.

How the Panel Voted

The rankings were determined by seven voters using a weighted point system, where a first-place vote equals 10 points down to one point for tenth place.

Shaheen Al-Shatti

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Sean Strickland, Joshua Van, Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, Seika Izawa, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Alexa Grasso, Dakota Ditcheva

Conner Burks

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Joshua Van, Carlos Ulberg, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg, Zhang Weili, Dakota Ditcheva, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Manon Fiorot, Seika Izawa, Fatima Kline

Petesy Carroll

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, Sean Strickland, Joshua Van, Justin Gaethje, Ciryl Gane, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Kayla Harrison, Amanda Nunes, Dakota Ditcheva, Cris Cyborg, Mackenzie Dern, Natalia Silva, Alexa Grasso, Jasmine Jasudavicius

Ben Fowlkes

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, Joshua Van, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, Sean Strickland, Alexandre Pantoja
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg, Natalia Silva, Dakota Ditcheva, Alexa Grasso, Amanda Nunes, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Fatima Kline

Eric Jackman

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Arman Tsarukyan, Sean Strickland, Merab Dvalishvili, Ilia Topuria, Ciryl Gane, Khamzat Chimaev
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Cris Cyborg, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Alexa Grasso, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Tatiana Suarez, Dakota Ditcheva

Chuck Mindenhall

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Sean Strickland, Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Cris Cyborg, Alexa Grasso, Dakota Ditcheva, Natalia Silva, Amanda Nunes, Fatima Kline, Jasmine Jasudavicius

Drake Riggs

  • Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Ilia Topuria, Alexandre Pantoja, Carlos Ulberg, Merab Dvalishvili, Sean Strickland
  • Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Seika Izawa, Cris Cyborg, Zhang Weili, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Kayla Harrison, Virna Jandiroba, Dakota Ditcheva, Alexa Grasso

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