10 Best UFC Fighters Right Now [Ranked]

10. Khamzat Chimaev

MMA record: 14-0

The only fighter on this list yet to hold a UFC title, Khamzat Chimaev has remained flawless in his UFC career. If not for injuries and visa complications limiting his time in the Octagon, he likely would have already challenged for championship gold.

In his most recent bout, the 30-year-old delivered his most devastating performance to date, shattering Robert Whittaker’s jaw before submitting him at UFC 308. That dominant victory has positioned Chimaev as the next contender for 185-pound champion Dricus du Plessis, and he could very well have UFC gold around his waist before the end of 2025.

9. Belal Muhammad

MMA record: 24-3

One of the most avoided fighters in welterweight history, Belal Muhammad finally got his shot at UFC gold when he faced Leon Edwards at UFC 304 last summer—and he made the most of it with a dominant performance.

Now riding a six-fight win streak, Muhammad has yet to defend his title due to injury setbacks. However, the 36-year-old will be eager to maintain his momentum and cement his reign once he returns to full fitness.

8. Alexandre Pantoja

MMA record: 29-5

The men's flyweight division may not be the most high-profile in the UFC, but Alexandre Pantoja's championship reign deserves plenty of recognition. Since defeating Brandon Moreno to claim the title at UFC 290, the 34-year-old Brazilian has successfully defended it three times and is currently on a seven-fight win streak.

While the division lacks the depth of some other weight classes, that’s hardly Pantoja’s fault. He continues to showcase his skill and dominance against every opponent put in front of him.

7. Tom Aspinall

MMA record: 15-3

Reigning interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall hasn’t logged as many minutes in the Octagon as others on this list—simply because he finishes fights so quickly. The Brit holds the UFC record for the shortest average fight time, with his bouts lasting just two minutes and two seconds on average.

Having knocked out his last three opponents in under 75 seconds each, Aspinall is eager for the opportunity to test himself against undisputed heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

6. Merab Dvalishvili

MMA record: 19-4

The UFC men’s bantamweight champion has solidified his status as one of the world’s top fighters with back-to-back statement wins. First, he shocked Sean O'Malley to claim the title at UFC 306, then faced a formidable first defense against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Despite entering UFC 311 as the underdog, The Machine relied on his relentless grappling to overpower the Russian challenger and retain his belt.

5. Dricus du Plessis

MMA record: 23-2

South African superstar Dricus Du Plessis emphatically ended his rivalry with Sean Strickland at UFC 312, shattering the American's nose during his middleweight title defense in Sydney, Australia. The two had previously clashed for the belt at UFC 297, where DDP secured a narrow decision victory.

This time, however, the judges’ scorecards told a different story, as Du Plessis dominated from start to finish. Now boasting two successful title defenses, the 31-year-old is determined to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats at 185 pounds.

4. Jon Jones

MMA record: 28-1 (1 NC)

A two-weight world champion and reigning UFC heavyweight titleholder, Jon Jones would likely rank higher if not for his recent inactivity. Bones has competed just once since March 2023, facing the equally inactive Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.

At 37, Jones is arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history when considering his overall career, but his lack of Octagon time in recent years prevents him from surpassing the top three-ranked fighters on this list.

3. Ilia Topuria

MMA record: 16-0

With just eight UFC fights to his name, Ilia Topuria has already made a massive impact, remaining undefeated while knocking out some of the biggest names in featherweight history. The reigning 145-pound champion announced his arrival on the world stage by stopping Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last February.

He then delivered an even more stunning performance at UFC 308, becoming the first fighter to ever knock out Max Holloway. At just 28 years old, Topuria has the potential to dominate the division for years to come.

2. Alex Pereira

MMA record: 12-2

Activity is a key factor in these rankings, and few fighters have been more active than Alex Pereira over the past three years. Since making his UFC debut in November 2021, 'Poatan' has already claimed championships in two divisions—middleweight and light heavyweight, where he currently reigns.

In 2024 alone, he defended his title three times, winning each bout by stoppage. His dominance has been so impressive that he is reportedly eyeing a move to heavyweight, aiming to become a UFC champion in a third weight class.

1. Islam Makhachev

MMA record: 25-2

Russian grappling phenom Islam Makhachev has cemented himself as the most successful lightweight in UFC history, holding the record for the most title defenses in the division. A protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev possesses many of the same dominant qualities that made 'The Eagle' an unstoppable force—particularly his elite submission skills, which have earned him four finishes in his last five fights.

Having seemingly cleared out all worthy challengers at 155 pounds, Makhachev has hinted at a move up in weight to test himself in a new division—a step that would only further solidify his already remarkable legacy.