There can be no way to definitively say who the best UFC fighter is at any time, of course. Different weight divisions cause a problem comparing – and styles and techniques preferences also have to come into account.
But the UFC does its best to keep the fans aware of who is considered to be the very best. The rankings are updated on a weekly basis and take into consideration all the various fights presented under the UFC banner. They help if you are betting on UFC, or just looking to get a better idea of who is the very best. Here are the men’s pound-for-pound rankings as we start off 2023.
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#5 – Francis Ngannou
This Cameroonian heavyweight fighter moved to Paris, France in his mid-twenties to pursue a career in professional boxing. His power and punching style certainly suggest that he could make a decent living in that sport – but it is mixed martial arts where he has shone so far.
He had already fought in 100% Fight shows in France before making the move to UFC in 2015. By the start of 2018 he was fighting for the UFC heavyweight championship. He eventually won a rematch against Stipe Miocic in 2021 to take the belt and has had one successful defense of his title. He is currently injured and attempting to renegotiate his contract with UFC.
#4 – Kamaru Usman
Osman is currently the number one in the welterweight rankings but will be looking to retain his UFC title in 2023 after sensationally losing to underdog Leon Edwards in August of last year. It was his first ever loss as a UFC fighter and it was just one of the shock results on the night at UFC 278.
Born in Nigeria, Usman moved to the U.S. when he was eight years old and became a star freestyle wrestler while at university. He also wrestled professionally before moving to MMA – and ultimately UFC. He was many media organizations’ fighter of the year in 2021 but will want 2023 to be even more memorable.
#3 – Leon Edwards
Although Edwards has been fighting in mixed martial arts for 12 years now – and in UFC for the last eight – he has only now become a world champion. He upset the odds by beating Kamaru Usman in the fight last August, thanks to a knockout in the fifth round that also earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Since his early fights in UFC, Edwards has been steadily improving and now has an overall record of 20-3 and one no contest thanks to an accidental eye poke leaving his opponent, Belal Muhammad, unable to continue. It would be no surprise if one of his next fights were an eagerly anticipated rematch with Usman.
#2 – Islam Makhachev
This Russian fighter claimed his first ever title when he took the vacant lightweight belt by beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 last October. After steadily learning his craft over the last few years, he entered UFC in 2015 and has lost just once on his way to a world title.
Makhachev is another fighter that holds a fearsome presence in the octagon. But he will need to beat the very best to stay champion. His next scheduled bout is a defense of his lightweight belt against the featherweight champion – and current number one pound-for-pound UFC fighter, Alexander Volkanovski.
#1 – Alexander Volkanovski
A former pro boxer and Australian Fighting Championship featherweight champion, Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski has a professional MMA record of 25-1, with that solitary defeat coming way back in 2013 when he was still fighting on the Australian circuit.
After climbing the UFC featherweight rankings and competing in catch weight and lightweight bouts, he claimed the title by beating Max Holloway at the end of 2019. He has since beaten Holloway twice more as part of an epic trilogy. He has now defended his featherweight title on four occasions and can achieve double-champ status by beating Makhachev in his home country of Australia in February.
