In the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts, the debate over who sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings is a constant source of discussion among fans and pundits alike. But in the wake of UFC 311, one thing has become crystal clear: Islam Makhachev’s claim to the #1 spot is now undeniable.
The Dagestani lightweight champion put on a clinic in his first-round submission victory over late-replacement opponent Renato Moicano, further cementing his status as the most dominant force in the sport today. The win extended Makhachev’s remarkable winning streak to 15, tying him with Kamaru Usman for the second-longest run in UFC history.
Makhachev’s Mastery on Full Display
From the opening bell, Makhachev’s grappling superiority was on full display. He effortlessly took Moicano to the mat and methodically advanced position, showcasing the suffocating top game that has become his signature. Despite Moicano’s best efforts to scramble and escape, Makhachev remained in complete control, ultimately securing a deep arm-triangle choke that left the Brazilian with no choice but to tap.
Islam’s grappling is just on another level. The way he can take anyone down at will and then maintain such heavy pressure, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
– Daniel Cormier, former UFC double champion
The victory marked Makhachev’s fourth consecutive title defense, a UFC record for the lightweight division. It also solidified his place atop ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, with the Dagestani now earning unanimous recognition as the #1 fighter in the sport.
A New Era of Dominance
Makhachev’s reign has ushered in a new era of dominance at 155 pounds, one that harkens back to the days of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten run. Like his mentor and teammate, Makhachev appears to be operating on a different level than his competitors, blending unparalleled grappling with an evolving and dangerous striking game.
- 15-fight UFC winning streak (tied for 2nd all-time)
- 4 consecutive title defenses (UFC lightweight record)
- 7 finishes in his last 8 fights
With each passing victory, the question becomes not who can dethrone Makhachev, but whether anyone can even offer him a true challenge. Some have pointed to a potential move up to welterweight as the only remaining test for Makhachev to cement his status as an all-time great.
Dvalishvili Vaults into Pound-for-Pound Top 5
While Makhachev was busy solidifying his spot atop the men’s rankings, another dominant champion was making a strong case for pound-for-pound recognition. Merab Dvalishvili, fresh off a lopsided points victory over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, vaulted from #8 to #5 in the newest edition of the ESPN rankings.
Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and unstoppable wrestling have made him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the bantamweight division. His current 12-fight winning streak includes triumphs over a murderer’s row of contenders, including José Aldo, Sean O’Malley, Petr Yan, and now Nurmagomedov.
Merab is an absolute machine. I’ve never seen anyone who can maintain that kind of pace and pressure for 5 rounds. He just never gets tired.
– Aljamain Sterling, former UFC bantamweight champion
While Dvalishvili still has work to do to match the resumes of some of his pound-for-pound peers, his current run has put the entire MMA world on notice. If he continues to rack up signature victories, it may not be long before “The Machine” finds himself entrenched in the top 3.
The Evolving Pound-for-Pound Landscape
Beyond the notable movement at the top of the rankings, the latest pound-for-pound list reflects the constantly shifting nature of the MMA landscape. New blood is continually rising to challenge established stars, resulting in a rankings table that looks quite different than it did even a year ago.
Emerging talents like Ilia Topuria and Dricus Du Plessis have stormed into the top 10 on the strength of breakout performances and championship victories. Meanwhile, veterans like Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou find themselves slipping down the rankings as inactivity and competitive losses take their toll.
As we look ahead to the rest of 2025 and beyond, one thing is certain: the pound-for-pound rankings will continue to evolve and reflect the rapidly changing face of MMA. But for now, Islam Makhachev’s reign shows no signs of ending, and his stranglehold on the sport’s #1 ranking appears to be as secure as his vaunted grappling positions.
