JON JONES remained atop of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings after winning the heavyweight title.
The American legend returned after three years out to submit Ciryl Gane in the opening round at UFC 285, winning the vacant belt.
Now a two-division champion, the former light-heavyweight king retained his spot at the helm of the UFC.
But Conor McGregor – without a win since 2020 – was nowhere to be seen in the top 15.
Here, SunSport runs down the current UFC pound-for-pound rankings.
1. Jon Jones – heavyweight
Jones, 35, has been the long-time No1 but his time spent out of the cage saw him drift in and out of the rankings.
But having captured heavyweight gold – following years of flirtation – there is no argument of his spot at the top.
And winning UFC gold in his second division leaves Jones as a clear contender as greatest MMA fighter of all time.
GettyJon Jones is the UFC’s pound-for-pound No1[/caption]
2. Alexander Volkanovski
Volkanovski, 34, was unbeaten in the UFC, with four featherweight title defences to his name, before he moved up.
But he lost his lightweight championship challenge to Islam Makhachev, 31, in a controversial decision in February.
Volkanovski will move back down to 145lb to defend his strap against interim challenger Yair Rodriguez, 30, on July 8 at UFC 290.
GettyAlexander Volkanovski lost to Islam Makhachev[/caption]
3. Islam Makhachev
Despite Makhachev’s win over Volkanovski, he is still a spot behind the Australian.
The Russian – mentored by unbeaten UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov – has a record of 24–1.
And he has teased moving up to challenge for Leon Edwards’ welterweight belt.
GettyIslam Makhachev beat Alexander Volkanovski on points[/caption]
4. Leon Edwards
Only Britain’s second UFC champ, Edwards, 31, won the gold with a stunning come-from-behind KO over Kamaru Usman, 35.
And he cemented his place as one of the best in the world by beating Usman on points in their rematch.
It has seen Edwards rise to fourth in the rankings, ahead of an expected title defence against American Colby Covington, 35.
GETTYLeon Edwards is the UFC welterweight champion[/caption]
5. Israel Adesanya
Adesanya’s reign as middleweight ruler came to an abrupt end when he was KOd by Alex Pereira, the Brazilian who twice beat him in kickboxing.
But the New Zealander finally got revenge over his rival in their MMA rematch, returning the favour with a second-round KO.
It sees Adesanya, 33, back in the pound-for-pound discussion with gold around his waist again.
6. Kamaru Usman
At one point, Usman was considered the best fighter in the world.
Now, he is coming off consecutive losses to Edwards and his future in the welterweight division in doubt.
His losses to the Brit came after 19 straight wins, nine years undefeated and five successful title defences.
GettyLeon Edwards twice beat Kamaru Usman[/caption]
7. Aljamain Sterling
Sterling, 33, won the bantamweight title in controversial fashion when an illegal knee saw Petr Yan, 30, disqualified.
But he won the rematch in an upset to legitimise his claim as 135lb boss, aided by a stoppage over TJ Dillashaw, 37.
Sterling is now set to face former two-division champ Henry Cejudo, 36, on May 6 at UFC 288.
Aljamain Sterling defeated TJ DillashawGetty
8. Charles Oliveira
Oliveira, 33, was top of the lightweight division after beating Michael Chandler, 36, for the vacant title.
And he added to his runs with victories over Dustin Poirier, 34, and Justin Gaethje, also 34.
But he lost the belt to Makhachev and is set to return next month against No4 ranked contender Beneil Dariush, 33.
Charles Oliveira is the ex-UFC lightweight championGetty
9. Alex Pereira
Pereira, 35, rose to the top of the middleweight division after just eight UFC fights when he stopped Adesanya.
But he dropped three spaces in the pound-for-pound list following his brutal loss to Adesanya.
A trilogy bout is there for the making but UFC president Dana White expects the kickboxing legend to move up to light-heavyweight.
10. Brandon Moreno
Moreno became the UFC’s first Mexican champion when he beat Deiveson Figueiredo in their 2021 rematch, following a draw the year before.
Figueiredo, 35, then won the trilogy to even up the score but Moreno, 29, emerged with flyweight bragging rights in the series decider in January.
He is now scheduled to defend his title against Alexandre Pantoja on July 8 at UFC 290.
GettyUFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno[/caption] Read More