Pound-for-Pound Rankings Will Change Because of Arman Tsarukyan

Islam Makhachev reigns supreme as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, but his position is far from secure. After a brilliant head-kick finish against Dustin Poirier earlier this year, Makhachev remains unbeaten in 14 straight bouts, a streak that stretches back to 2015. However, questions loom over his inactivity, as the lightweight champion faces rising contender Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on January 18. Will Makhachev reinforce his dominance or slip from the top?

Challengers to the Throne: Topuria, Pereira, and Pantoja

Ilia Topuria emerged as a sensation in 2024, climbing to No. 5 after dethroning longtime featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Topuria followed that up with a historic knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308, becoming the first fighter to finish “Blessed” by strikes. Now teasing a move to lightweight, Topuria’s meteoric rise signals a potential challenge to Makhachev’s supremacy.

Alex Pereira, the one-touch knockout artist, made waves with three electrifying title defenses across two divisions in 2024. With his devastating finishes and willingness to fight on short notice, Pereira has cemented his place as one of the most dangerous men in MMA. A possible showdown with Jon Jones or Magomed Ankalaev in 2025 could elevate Pereira to the top spot and ignite GOAT debates.

Alexandre Pantoja continues to dominate at flyweight, defeating Brandon Moreno for the third time to claim UFC gold. Despite clearing out much of his division, Pantoja’s spectacular performances keep him in the pound-for-pound conversation. However, the flyweight’s smaller stature presents a unique challenge in climbing to the No. 1 spot.

Jon Jones: The GOAT Debate Continues

Jon Jones returned to action in 2024, defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic after an 18-month layoff. However, his inactivity and controversial history have left some panelists questioning his current placement. While Jones remains a legend due to his light heavyweight dominance, his refusal to fight rising star Tom Aspinall has fueled skepticism. Will Jones step up in 2025 to reclaim the throne?

Dark Horses and Rising Stars

Several other fighters are making compelling cases for pound-for-pound recognition:

• Belal Muhammad captured the welterweight title with a dominant performance over Leon Edwards, extending his unbeaten streak to 11. However, a foot infection sidelined him, preventing further momentum.

• Dricus du Plessis boasts an 8-0 UFC record, with victories over Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Robert Whittaker. While middleweight lacks the depth of lighter divisions, du Plessis remains a force to be reckoned with.

• Tom Aspinall, the current No. 1 heavyweight, continues to rise with first-round finishes. His ascent hinges on a potential clash with Jones.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound Spotlight

On the women’s side, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed the No. 1 spot with a commanding victory this year. Known for her technical prowess and consistency, Shevchenko’s enduring dominance highlights her place among the sport’s elite.

Upcoming Fights to Watch

As we look ahead to 2025, these bouts will shape the pound-for-pound landscape:

• Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan (UFC 311, Jan. 18)

• Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (UFC 311, Jan. 18)

• Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland (UFC 312, Feb. 8)

With the UFC’s 2024 calendar wrapped up, the stage is set for another thrilling year in MMA. Will the current champions solidify their legacies, or will new stars emerge to take their place?