MMA divisional rankings: Manel Kape makes a big move to close 2025

The final UFC event of the year was capped by a first-round knockout by Manel Kape against former title challenger Brandon Royval. The win shot Kape up the flyweight rankings and squarely into the championship picture.

In the only other bout this past weekend featuring a fighter ranked by ESPN, Renan Ferreira lost his PFL heavyweight championship opportunity and his spot in the rankings to Vadim Nemkov, who ended the PFL Lyon main event in the first round with an arm triangle.

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 Dec. 9. 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 | Featherweight | Men's bantamweight
Men's flyweight | Women's bantamweight | Women's flyweight | Strawweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

1. Tom Aspinall

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: NC1 vs. Ciryl Gane, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

2. Ciryl Gane

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2, 1 NC
Last: NC1 vs. Tom Aspinall, Oct.25
Next: TBD

3. Curtis Blaydes

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Rizvan Kuniev, June 21
Next: TBD

4. Alexander Volkov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 39-11
Last: W (SD) vs. Jailton Almeida, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

5. Sergei Pavlovich

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-3
Last: W (UD) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Aug. 23
Next: TBD

6. Jailton Almeida

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4
Last: L (SD) vs. Alexander Volkov, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

7. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2
Last: W (KO1) vs. Shamil Gaziev, Nov. 22
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Derrick Lewis

8. Vadim Nemkov

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: NR
Record: 20-2,
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Renan Ferreira, Dec. 13
Next: TBD

9. Serghei Spivac

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6
Last: L (UD) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, June 7
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Ante Delija

10. Derrick Lewis

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-12, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Tallison Teixeira, July 12
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Alex Pereira

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 13-3
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Magomed Ankalaev, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

2. Magomed Ankalaev

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 21-2-1, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Alex Pereira, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

3. Jir Prochzka

Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-5-1
Last: W (KO3) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., Oct. 4
Next: TBD

4. Carlos Ulberg

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-1
Last: W (KO1) vs. Dominick Reyes, Sept. 27
Next: TBD

5. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-7, 1 NC
Last: L (KO3) vs. Jir Prochzka, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

6. Azamat Murzakanov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-0
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Aleksandar Raki, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

7. Dominick Reyes

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5
Last: L (KO1) vs. Carlos Ulberg, Sept. 27
Next: TBD

8. Aleksandar Raki

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Azamat Murzakanov, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

9. Jamahal Hill

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-4, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., June 21
Next: TBD

10. Corey Anderson

Promotion: PFL champion
Record: 20-6-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov, Oct. 3
Next: TBD

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Khamzat Chimaev

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 15-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Dricus Du Plessis, Aug. 16
Next: TBD

2. Dricus du Plessis

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, Aug. 16
Next: TBD

3. Nassourdine Imavov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-4, 1 NC
Last: W (US) vs. Caio Borralho, Sept. 6
Next: TBD

4. Sean Strickland

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7
Last: L (UD) vs. Dricus Du Plessis, Feb. 8
Next: Feb. 21 vs. Anthony Hernandez

5. Israel Adesanya

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-5
Last: L (KO2) vs. Nassourdine Imavov, Feb. 1
Next: TBD

6. Anthony Hernandez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-2, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub4) vs. Roman Dolidze, Aug. 9
Next: Feb. 21 vs. Sean Strickland

7. Caio Borralho

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-2, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Nassourdine Imavov, Sept. 6
Next: TBD

8. Brendan Allen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-7
Last: W (TKO4) vs. Reinier de Ridder, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

9. Reinier de Ridder

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3
Last: L (TKO4) vs. Brendan Allen, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

10. Robert Whittaker

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-9
Last: L (SD) vs. Reinier de Ridder, July 26
Next: TBD

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachev

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 28-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

2. Jack Della Maddalena

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Islam Makhachev, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

3. Ian Machado Garry

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, Nov. 22
Next: TBD

4. Michael Morales

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-0
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Sean Brady, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

5. Belal Muhammad

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-5, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Ian Machado Garry, Nov. 22
Next: TBD

6. Kamaru Usman

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Joaquin Buckley, June 14
Next: TBD

7. Sean Brady

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-2
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Michael Morales, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

8. Carlos Prates

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-7
Last: W (KO1) vs. Leon Edwards, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

9. Joaquin Buckley

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-7
Last: L (UD) vs. Kamaru Usman, June 14
Next: TBD

10. Gabriel Bonfim

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Randy Brown, Nov. 8
Next: TBD

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Ilia Topuria

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 17-0
Last: W (KO1) vs. Charles Oliveira, June 28
Next: TBD

2. Arman Tsarukyan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Dan Hooker, Nov. 22
Next: TBD

3. Charles Oliveira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-11, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Mateusz Gamrot, Oct. 11
Next: March 7 vs. Max Holloway

4. Max Holloway

Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-8
Last: W (UD) vs. Dustin Poirier, July 19
Next: March 7 vs. Charles Oliveira

5. Justin Gaethje

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Rafael Fiziev, March 8
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Paddy Pimblett

6. Usman Nurmagomedov

Promotion: PFL champion
Record: 20-0, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Paul Hughes, Oct. 3
Next: Feb. 7 vs. Alfie Davis

7. Paddy Pimblett

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-3
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Michael Chandler, April 12
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Justin Gaethje

8. Mateusz Gamrot

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-4, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Charles Oliveira, Oct. 11
Next: TBD

9. Rafael Fiziev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-4 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes, June 21
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Mauricio Ruffy

10. Benot Saint Denis

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3, 1 NC
Last: W (KO1) vs. Beneil Dariush, Nov. 15
Next: Feb. 1 vs. Dan Hooker

FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Alexander Volkanovski

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 27-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Diego Lopes, April 12
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Diego Lopes

2. Diego Lopes

Promotion: UFC
Record: 27-7
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Jean Silva, Sept. 13
Next: Jan. 31 vs. Alexander Volkanovski

3. Yair Rodriguez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-5, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Patricio Pitbull, April 12
Next: TBD

4. Lerone Murphy

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-0-1
Last: W (KO1) vs. Aaron Pico, Aug. 16
Next: TBD

5. Aljamain Sterling

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Brian Ortega, Aug. 23
Next: TBD

6. Youssef Zalal

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5-1
Last: W (Sub1) vs. Josh Emmett, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

7. Patricio Pitbull

Promotion: UFC
Record: 37-8
Last: W (UD) vs. Dan Ige, July 19
Next: TBD

8. Brian Ortega

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-5, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Aljamain Sterling, Aug. 23
Next: TBD

9. Josh Emmett

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6
Last: L (Sub1) vs. Youssef Zalal, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

10. Steve Garcia

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5
Last: W (TKO1) vs. David Onama, Nov. 1
Next: TBD

MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Petr Yan

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

2. Merab Dvalishvili

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Petr Yan, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

3. Sean O'Malley

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3, 1 NC
Last: L (TechSub3) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, June 7
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Song Yadong

4. Umar Nurmagomedov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Mario Bautista, Oct. 25
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

5. Cory Sandhagen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-6
Last: L (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

6. Mario Bautista

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-3
Last: L (UD) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

7. Song Yadong

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-7-1, 1 NC
Last: W (TechDec) vs. Henry Cejudo, Feb. 22
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Sean O'Malley

8. Deiveson Figueiredo

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5-1
Last: W (SD) vs. Montel Jackson, Oct. 11
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

9. Marlon Vera

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-11-1
Last: L (SD) vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

10. Aiemann Zahabi

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (SD) vs. Marlon Vera, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Joshua Van

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-2
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Alexandre Pantoja, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

2. Alexandre Pantoja

Promotion: UFC
Record: 30-6
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Joshua Van, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

3. Tatsuro Taira

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 18-1
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Brandon Moreno, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

4. Manel Kape

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 22-7
Last: W (KO1) vs. Brandon Royval, Dec. 13
Next: TBD

5. Brandon Royval

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 17-9
Last: L (KO1) vs. Manel Kape, Dec. 13
Next: TBD

6. Brandon Moreno

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 23-9-2
Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tatsuro Taira, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

7. Kai Kara-France

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 25-12, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub3) vs. Alexandre Pantoja, June 28
Next: TBD

8. Muhammad Mokaev

Promotion: Brave CF champion
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 15-0, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) vs. Gerard Burns, Nov. 7
Next: TBD

9. Steve Erceg

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-4
Last: W (UD) vs. Ode' Osbourne, Aug. 9
Next: TBD

10. Kai Asakura

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-6
Last: L (Sub2) vs. Tim Elliott, Aug. 16
Next: TBD

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Kayla Harrison

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 19-1
Last: W (TechSub2) vs. Julianna Pea, June 7
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Amanda Nunes

2. Julianna Pea

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (TechSub2) vs. Kayla Harrison, June 7
Next: TBD

3. Norma Dumont

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: W (SD) vs. Ketlen Vieira, Nov. 1
Next: TBD

4. Ketlen Vieira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-5
Last: L (SD) vs. Norma Dumont, Nov. 1
Next: TBD

5. Yana Santos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-8, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) vs. Macy Chiasson, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

6. Macy Chiasson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-5
Last: L (UD) vs. Yana Santos, Oct. 4
Next: TBD

7. Ailin Perez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, Jan. 18
Next: TBD

8. Karol Rosa

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7
Last: W (UD) vs. Nora Cornolle, Aug. 2
Next: TBD

9. Jacqueline Cavalcanti

Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva, Nov. 8
Next: TBD

10. Mayra Bueno Silva

Promotion: UFC
Record: 10-6-1, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti, Nov. 8
Next: TBD

WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Valentina Shevchenko

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 26-4-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Zhang Weili, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

2. Manon Fiorot

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-2
Last: W (TKO1) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

3. Natalia Silva

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-5-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Alexa Grasso, May 10
Next: TBD

4. Erin Blanchfield

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (Sub2) vs. Tracy Cortez, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

5. Maycee Barber

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-2
Last: W (UD) vs. Karine Silva, Dec. 6
Next: TBD

6. Dakota Ditcheva

Promotion: PFL
Record: 15-0
Last: W (UD) vs. Sumiko Inaba, July 19
Next: Feb. 7 vs. Denise Kielholtz

7. Alexa Grasso

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-5-1
Last: L (UD) vs. Natalia Silva, May 10
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Rose Namajunas

8. Jasmine Jasudavicius

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-4
Last: L (TKO1) vs. Manon Fiorot, Oct. 18
Next: TBD

9. Rose Namajunas

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-7
Last: W (UD) vs. Miranda Maverick, June 14
Next: Jan. 24 vs. Alexa Grasso

10. Liz Carmouche

Promotion: PFL
Record: 25-8
Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jena Bishop, Aug. 15
Next: TBD

STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weili

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Nov. 15
Next: TBD

2. Mackenzie Dern

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 16-5
Last: W (UD) vs. Virna Jandiroba, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

3. Virna Jandiroba

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4
Last: L (UD) vs. Mackenzie Dern, Oct. 25
Next: TBD

4. Yan Xiaonan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-5, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) vs. Virna Jandiroba, April 12
Next: TBD

5. Tatiana Suarez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (UD) vs. Amanda Lemos, Sept. 13
Next: TBD

6. Amanda Lemos