Makhachev finished Alexander Volkanovski, proving to any lingering doubters just how good he truly is.

As it happens, Islam Makhachev had good reason to feel deceived after losing his undisputed title as the world’s best fighter pound-for-pound after defeating featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in February.

It was difficult to escape the sense of finality that Makhachev contributed to in last Saturday’s rematch at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, especially since I was among those voters who still believed Volkanvoski had earned the right to keep the title given how well he performed up a weight class in such a contentious fight (while others, including UFC’s official rankings, favoured a heavyweight-conquering Jon Jones).

Granted, Volkanovski took a second opportunity to win a two-division title with just twelve days’ notice. But Volkanovski was so sure of himself during fight week—he even admitted so, given his dubious cardio—that it was easy to take him at his word that he would be OK given his history of excellence.

By stopping Volkanovski with a left high kick that resulted in a stoppage at 3:06 of the first round, Makhachev proved to be not just the stronger fighter but also the better one. This was the first time a boxer had done so since 2013.

Makhachev utterly silenced Volkanovski’s offensive production in the rematch by masterfully maintaining distance with strong leg strikes, maybe in response to Volkanovski’s well-rounded game being given too much credit in their first bout.

Similar to his breakthrough title victory over Charles Oliveira in October of last year, which he achieved by second-round submission, Makhachev, a native of Dagestan, Russia, demonstrated that he didn’t have to rely solely on his tremendous grappling strength, but rather displayed the full development of his striking as a genuine dual threat.

Additionally, Makhachev demonstrated his extraordinary combat intelligence by outwitting Volkanovski, a very skilled chess player. Although Makhachev’s path to the title was initially criticised for lacking notable names, he has since defeated both Volkanovski and Oliveira twice in the last 13 months alone, which helps him overcome Jones as well.

Even though Jones defeated Cyril Gane in their March heavyweight title battle to solidify his reputation as the best of the best, he isn’t necessarily the best P4P fighter right now. Even though Jones destroyed Gane in 124 seconds, it was also a harsh critique of how incomplete Gane’s ground game was, and it didn’t provide a sufficient sample size to determine Jones’ true potential at heavyweight following a three-year break. (Jones, who recently pulled out of his November UFC 295 comeback, is anticipated to be sidelined for at least eight months; he turns 37 in the summer.)

Both Makhachev and Volkanovski, who publicly asked the UFC to give top featherweight contender Ilia Topuria a two-month reprieve, are currently facing tougher opposition more frequently, and they are both demonstrating, at the height of their physical abilities, how versatile and dominant they are.

Let’s examine the best fighters inside the Octagon using a criterion that considers everything from past performance to present form.

Men’s pound-for-pound rankings

1. Islam Makhachev — Lightweight champion

Record: 25-1 | Previous ranking: No. 2

Due to Charles Oliveira’s withdrawal from his UFC 294 title rematch, Makhachev was given a last-minute opportunity to face featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, whom he defeated with a head kick in the first round. All P4P debates were ended by Makhachev’s victory because he dominated the bout from beginning to end and has now won twice by stoppage against opponents ranked highly in P4P.

2. Jon Jones — Heavyweight champion

Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 3

Due to a pectoral rupture sustained during training, Jones’ first heavyweight championship defence against former champion Stipe Miocic, which was slated for UFC 295 in November, was postponed. Jones, who turns 37 next summer, is anticipated to recover in eight months. Not only does the untimely injury cast doubt on the heavyweight title situation, but Jones, who was openly mulling retirement following the Miocic bout, may never fight again.

3. Leon Edwards — Welterweight champion

Record: 20-3, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 4

Never doubt him again. After winning the 170-pound title in a rematch at UFC 286 seven months after his real-life “Rocky” moment against Kamaru Usman via fifth-round knockout, Edwards went all in again and won by majority decision. In December, Edwards is anticipated to defend his second title against Colby Covington, a former two-time contender.

4. Alexander Volkanovski — Featherweight champion

Record: 25-3 | Previous ranking: 1

The decision by Volkanovski to take a chance on a rematch with Makhachev in Abu Dhabi with just 12 days’ notice proved to be disastrous, as the 145-pound champion lost via first-round knockout after never really getting going. Volkanovski is unwavering in his belief that a return in January against top featherweight rival Ilia Topuria is still feasible.

5. Charles Oliveira — Lightweight

Record: 34-9 | Previous ranking: 5

After relinquishing the championship, the former 155-pound champion made amends by defeating Beneil Dariush in the opening frame of UFC 289. However, during a training session, the Brazilian submission threat wounded himself badly above his right eye, forcing him to miss a title rematch with Makhachev at UFC 294. Now, “Do Bronx” has to hope that Justin Gaethje, the BMF champion, doesn’t beat him out for the next opportunity in the UFC.

6. Sean O’Malley — Bantamweight champion

Record: 17-1, 1 NC | Previous ranking: 6

After TKOing Aljamain Sterling in the second round at UFC 292, the “Sugar Show” is still very much in place atop the sport’s deepest division. By stopping Sterling from being taken down, O’Malley silenced his detractors and looks poised to fulfil the potential that his talent and personality have always suggested. A December comeback is most likely, and many well-known figures are rumoured to be the next.

7. Alexandre Pantoja — Flyweight champion

Record: 26-5 | Previous ranking: 7

In one of the most intense and exciting flyweight fights in history, the Brazilian submission threat won by split decision at UFC 290 thanks primarily to his chin and his determination. Pantoja, 33, is currently on a four-fight winning streak and has three victories over Moreno. He will make his comeback to defend the championship against Brandon Royval at UFC 296 in December.

8. Max Holloway — Featherweight

Record: 24-7 | Previous ranking: 9

Being a master of comebacks, the 31-year-old Hawaiian celebrity hasn’t dropped a fight at 145 pounds since 2013. In 2023, Holloway had a significant comeback, defeating Arnold Allen in April and then Chan Sung Jung in August.

9. Aljamain Sterling — Bantamweight

Record: 23-4 | Previous ranking: No. 10

Exasperated that he couldn’t subdue Sean O’Malley or cause him any trouble at UFC 292, Sterling made a crucial error that resulted in a TKO loss. With the defeat, Sterling’s nine-fight winning streak came to an end, and it seemed like he was about to become the bantamweight champion. It is feasible for the 34-year-old former champion to advance to 145 pounds.

10. Israel Adesanya — Middleweight

Record: 24-3 | Previous ranking: No. 4

2023 has been quite the roller coaster for the former middleweight champion. First, in April, he dramatically reclaimed his title after losing by knockout to opponent Alex Pereira. In September, however, Adesanya’s championship defence against Sean Strickland—a huge underdog—saw him bested in an unimpressive showing. As to UFC President Dana White, the next battle might be a title rematch.

Dropped out: None
Just missed: Sean Strickland, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, Dricus du Plessis, Khamzat Chimaev

Women’s pound-for-pound rankings

1. Zhang Weili — Strawweight champion

Record: 24-3 | Previous ranking: No. 1

At UFC 281, the first-ever Chinese-born UFC champion successfully submitted Carla Esparza in the second round to reclaim her 115-pound title. She then defeated Amanda Lemos in August in a statistically historic victory, and at 34, she is at the top of her game.

2. Alexa Grasso — Flyweight champion

Record: 16-3-1 | Previous ranking: 2

Together with previous champion Valentina Shevchenko, the native of Mexico wrote a thrilling and strategic 125-pound title rematch at Noche UFC. The outcome was a split draw, with Grasso, the reigning champion, limiting the loss with a contentious 10-8 last round. With this congested division, it’s unclear if a trilogy bout is next.

3. Valentina Shevchenko — Flyweight

Record: 23-4-1 | Previous ranking: No. 3

In their September rematch, the 35-year-old potential all-time great nearly reclaimed her flyweight belt from Alexa Grasso by improving her game. The outcome was a contentious draw, and Shevchenko publicly discussed filing an appeal afterward. In any case, it’s difficult to believe Shevchenko’s days of competing for UFC gold are over.

4. Erin Blanchfield — Flyweight

Record: 12-1 | Previous ranking: 4

The New Jersey native is 6-0 in the UFC and looks to be close to a title chance after defeating Jessica Andrade and Talia Santos back-to-back. Blanchfield’s hitting has greatly improved, even though her grappling abilities are still what set her apart. She also has a killer petrol tank, judging on how fast she drove Santos.

5. Manon Fiorot — Flyweight

Record: 11-1 | Previous ranking: 5

Fiorot’s name should be added to the list of contenders for the 125-pound title. The Frenchman is a talented kickboxer who defeated former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision in September.

Dropped out: None
Just missed: Yan Xionan, Tatiana Suarez, Talia Santos, Julianna Pena, Raquel Pennington