MMA divisional rankings: Petr Yan rises at bantamweight, but how close to the top?
When Petr Yan lost his UFC bantamweight championship in 2021, it ended a 10-fight winning streak and began a bit of a career free fall.
Yan did earn an interim title with a win over Cory Sandhagen in his next fight, but then he dropped a rematch with the man who had dethroned him, Aljamain Sterling, and went on to lose twice more. Both of those losses came against fighters who would go on to be champions, Sean O’Malley and current titlist Merab Dvalishvili.
They were not bad losses for Yan, but they added up to a full-on skid.
But Yan got back on track with a win over Song Yadong in March, and over the weekend he made it two in a row with a victory over former two-time flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo. Yan is back in stride, and is making a move upward to No. 3 in the latest ESPN divisional rankings. Figueiredo remains at No. 7.
Another fighter rising in the rankings is Yan Xiaonan, who also won a top-10 matchup on Saturday in Macau, China. Bouncing back from an unsuccessful challenge of strawweight champ Zhang Weili earlier in the year, Yan defeated Tabatha Ricci in an impressive performance that earned her a jump to No. 3 in the 115-pound rankings. Ricci remains at No. 10.
There’s also a new entry in these rankings. Carlos Ulberg moves into the light heavyweight top 10 at No. 8, the position previously occupied by the man he defeated Saturday, Volkan Oezdemir, who drops down one spot.
Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.
Results are current; rankings as of Nov. 25. 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. Tom Aspinall ![]()
Promotion: UFC interim champion
Record: 15-3
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Curtis Blaydes, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Francis Ngannou ![]()
Promotion: PFL Super Fights champion
Record: 18-3
Last: W (KO1) vs. Renan Ferreira, Oct. 19, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Jon Jones 
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 28-1, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Stipe Miocic, Nov. 16, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Ciryl Gane ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Serghei Spivac, Sept. 2, 2023
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Alexander Volkov
5. Curtis Blaydes ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Tom Aspinall, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Alexander Volkov ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 38-10
Last: W (UD) vs. Sergei Pavlovich, June 22, 2024
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Ciryl Gane
7. Sergei Pavlovich ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Alexander Volkov, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Renan Ferreira ![]()
Promotion: PFL champion
Record: 13-4, 3 NC
Last: L (KO1) vs. Francis Ngannou, Oct. 19, 2024
Next: TBD
9. Jailton Almeida ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Alexandr Romanov, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Serghei Spivac ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Marcin Tybura, Aug. 10, 2024
Next: TBD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)
1. Alex Pereira ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-2
Last: W (TKO4) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Magomed Ankalaev ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Aleksandar Rakic, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Jirí Procházka ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-5-1
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Alex Pereira, June 29, 2024
Next: Jan. 18 vs. Jamahal Hill
4. Jamahal Hill ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 10-2
Last: L (KO1) vs. Alex Pereira, April 13, 2024
Next: Jan. 18 vs. Jirí Procházka
5. Corey Anderson ![]()
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 18-6, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Karl Moore, March 22, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Khalil Rountree Jr. ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO4) vs. Alex Pereira, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Aleksandar Rakić ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Magomed Ankalaev, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Carlos Ulberg ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 11-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Volkan Oezdemir, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD
9. Volkan Oezdemir ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 20-8
Last: L (UD) vs. Carlos Ulberg, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Johnny Walker ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 21-9, 1 NC
Last: L (KO1) vs. Volkan Oezdemir, June 22, 2024
Next: TBD
MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)
1. Dricus du Plessis ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-2
Last: W (Sub4) vs. Israel Adesanya, Aug. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Sean Strickland ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-6
Last: W (SD) vs. Paulo Costa, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Khamzat Chimaev ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-0
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Robert Whittaker, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Israel Adesanya ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4
Last: L (Sub4) vs. Dricus du Plessis, Aug. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Robert Whittaker ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-8
Last: L (Sub1) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Johnny Eblen ![]()
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 16-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Fabian Edwards, Oct. 19, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Nassourdine Imavov ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Brendan Allen, Sept. 28, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Caio Borralho ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-0, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Jared Cannonier, Aug. 24, 2024
Next: TBD
9. Jared Cannonier ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-8
Last: L (UD) vs. Caio Borralho, Aug. 24, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Roman Dolidze ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Kevin Holland, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)
1. Belal Muhammad ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 24-3, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Leon Edwards ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Shavkat Rakhmonov ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-0
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Stephen Thompson, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Ian Machado Garry
4. Jack Della Maddalena ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-2
Last: W (KO3) vs. Gilbert Burns, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Sean Brady ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Gilbert Burns, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Ian Machado Garry ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Michael “Venom” Page, June 29, 2024
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
7. Gilbert Burns ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-8
Last: L (UD) vs. Sean Brady, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Colby Covington ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Leon Edwards, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: Dec. 14 vs. Joaquin Buckley
9. Joaquin Buckley ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-6
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Stephen Thompson, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: Dec. 14 vs. Colby Covington
10. Geoff Neal ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)
1. Islam Makhachev ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 26-1
Last: W (Sub5) vs. Dustin Poirier, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Arman Tsarukyan ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-3
Last: W (SD) vs. Charles Oliveira, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Charles Oliveira ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 35-10, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Michael Chandler, Nov. 16, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Justin Gaethje ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5
Last: L (KO5) vs. Max Holloway, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Dustin Poirier ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-9, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub5) vs. Islam Makhachev, June 1, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Dan Hooker ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-12
Last: W (SD) vs. Mateusz Gamrot, Aug. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Renato Moicano ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-5-1
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Benoît Saint Denis, Sept. 28, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Beneil Dariush ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-6-1
Last: L (KO1) vs. Arman Tsarukyan, Dec. 2, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Usman Nurmagomedov ![]()
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 18-0, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Alexander Shabliy, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: Jan. 25 vs. Paul Hughes
10. Michael Chandler ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-9
Last: L (UD) vs. Charles Oliveira, Nov. 16, 2024
Next: TBD
FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)
1. Ilia Topuria ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-0
Last: W (KO3) vs. Max Holloway, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Alexander Volkanovski ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-4
Last: L (KO2) vs. Ilia Topuria, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Max Holloway ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-8
Last: L (KO3) vs. Ilia Topuria, Oct. 26, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Diego Lopes ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-6
Last: W (UD) vs. Brian Ortega, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Brian Ortega ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Diego Lopes, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Yair Rodriguez ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub3) vs. Brian Ortega, Feb. 24, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Patricio Freire ![]()
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 36-7
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jeremy Kennedy, March 22, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Josh Emmett ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-4
Last: W (KO1) vs. Bryce Mitchell, Dec. 16, 2023
Next: TBD
9. Movsar Evloev ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Arnold Allen, Jan. 20, 2024
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Aljamain Sterling
10. Arnold Allen ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Giga Chikadze, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Merab Dvalishvili ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 18-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Sean O’Malley, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Sean O’Malley ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-2, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Petr Yan ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 18-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Umar Nurmagomedov ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 18-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Cory Sandhagen, Aug. 3, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Cory Sandhagen ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 17-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Aug. 3, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Henry Cejudo ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Feb. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Deiveson Figueiredo ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-4-1
Last: L (UD) vs. Petr Yan, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Mario Bautista ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-2
Last: W (SD) vs. José Aldo, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
9. José Aldo ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-9
Last: L (SD) vs. Mario Bautista, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Patchy Mix ![]()
Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 20-1
Last: W (SD) vs. Magomed Magomedov, May 17, 2024
Next: TBD
MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Alexandre Pantoja ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 28-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Steve Erceg, May 4, 2024
Next: Dec. 7 vs. Kai Asakura
2. Brandon Royval ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-7
Last: W (SD) vs. Tatsuro Taira, Oct. 12, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Brandon Moreno ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-8-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Amir Albazi, Nov. 2, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Kai Kara-France ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-11, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Steve Erceg, Aug. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Muhammad Mokaev ![]()
Promotion: Brave CF
Record: 13-0,1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Manel Kape, July 27, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Tatsuro Taira ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1
Last: L (SD) vs. Brandon Royval, Oct. 12, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Steve Erceg ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Kai Kara-France, Aug. 17, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Manel Kape ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7
Last: L (UD) vs. Muhammad Mokaev, July 27, 2024
Next: Dec. 14 vs. Bruno Silva
9. Alex Perez ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-9
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tatsuro Taira, June 15, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Matheus Nicolau ![]()
Promotion: None
Record: 19-5-1
Last: L (UD) Asu Almabayev, Oct. 19, 2024
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)
1. Julianna Peña ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-5
Last: W (SD) vs. Raquel Pennington. Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Raquel Pennington ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-9
Last: L (SD) vs. Julianna Peña, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Kayla Harrison ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Ketlen Vieira, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Ketlen Vieira ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4-1
Last: L (UD) vs. Kayla Harrison, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Holly Holm ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-7, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Kayla Harrison, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Norma Dumont ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Irene Aldana, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Irene Aldana ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-8
Last: L (UD) vs. Norma Dumont, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
8. Macy Chiasson ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-3
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, June 29, 2024
Next: TBD
9. Karol Rosa ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-6
Last: W (UD) vs. Pannie Kianzad, Aug. 10, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Pannie Kianzad ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-9
Last: L (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, Aug. 10, 2024
Next: TBD
WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)
1. Valentina Shevchenko ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 24-4-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Alexa Grasso, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Alexa Grasso ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4-1
Last: L (UD) vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Sept. 14, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Manon Fiorot ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Erin Blanchfield, March 30, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Erin Blanchfield ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas Nov. 2, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Maycee Barber ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Katlyn Cerminara, March 9, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Natalia Silva ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Jessica Andrade, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Taila Santos ![]()
Promotion: PFL
Record: 22-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Liz Carmouche, Aug. 2, 2024
Next: Nov. 29 vs. Dakota Ditcheva
8. Liz Carmouche ![]()
Promotion: PFL / Bellator champion
Record: 22-8
Last: L (UD) vs. Taila Santos, Aug. 2, 2024
Next: TBD
9. Jessica Andrade ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-13
Last: L (UD) vs. Natalia Silva, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Rose Namajunas ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-7
Last: L (UD) vs. Erin Blanchfield, Nov. 2, 2024
Next: TBD
STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)
1. Zhang Weili ![]()
Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 25-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Yan Xiaonan, April 13, 2024
Next: TBD
2. Virna Jandiroba ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Amanda Lemos, July 20, 2024
Next: TBD
3. Yan Xiaonan ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 18-4, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Tabatha Ricci, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD
4. Amanda Lemos ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 14-4-1
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Virna Jandiroba, July 20, 2024
Next: TBD
5. Jessica Andrade ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-13
Last: L (UD) vs. Natalia Silva, Sept. 7, 2024
Next: TBD
6. Marina Rodriguez ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-5-2
Last: L (UD) vs. Iasmin Lucindo, Oct. 5, 2024
Next: TBD
7. Mackenzie Dern ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Loopy Godínez, Aug. 3, 2024
Next: Dec. 14 vs. Amanda Ribas
8. Amanda Ribas ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas, March 23, 2024
Next: Dec. 14 vs. Mackenzie Dern
9. Loopy Godínez ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Mackenzie Dern, Aug. 3, 2024
Next: TBD
10. Tabatha Ricci ![]()
Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Yan Xiaonan, Nov. 23, 2024
Next: TBD