MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings October 2026: Volkanovski vs Yan Battle After UFC 333

At UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, Alexander Volkanovski crushed the undefeated Movsar Evloev with a second-round TKO, earning a jump to number two in the rankings, just behind Islam Makhachev, the current men's pound-for-pound leader.

1. Islam Makhachev — UFC welterweight champion (Prev: 1)Makhachev aimed to fight before Ramadan but couldn't arrange it. With an interim title bout set between Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, Makhachev can expect one to rise with a placeholder belt while the other falls back.
2. Alexander Volkanovski — UFC featherweight champion (Prev: 3)Volkanovski took a risk advocating for Evloev’s title shot, but his performance was commanding. Questions remain about how much further he can push his limits and whether he’ll face lightweight champ Justin Gaethje.
3. Petr Yan — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)Concerns about Yan’s post-surgery condition were put to rest with his solid performance against Merab Dvalishvili, cementing him as the undisputed bantamweight champion.
4. Joshua Van — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 4)Van recently defended his title twice impressively and is scheduled to fight Manel Kape in January at UFC 336.
5. Justin Gaethje — UFC lightweight champion (Prev: 5)Gaethje enjoys his reign amid growing interest from challengers. Volk and Arman Tsarukyan are potential opponents, though Gaethje’s incident with Dillon Danis might affect matchmaking.
6. Ilia Topuria — Former UFC two-division champion (Prev: 7)Topuria expressed disappointment over Dvalishvili’s loss and faces uncertainty regarding his next move, whether a rematch with Gaethje or a fight with Paddy Pimblett expected in February.
7. Sean Strickland — UFC middleweight champion (Prev: 8)After calming down from social media outbursts about pay, Strickland has five fights left on his contract. Nassourdine Imavov may be his next opponent.
8. Arman Tsarukyan — UFC lightweight contender (Prev: 10)Tsarukyan showed impatience waiting for his title shot with Gaethje, highlighted by a brawl with Dillon Danis. Fans hope UFC gives him his chance soon.
9. Merab Dvalishvili — Former UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 6)Dvalishvili has had a tough year after gearing up for multiple title defenses last year. His narrow loss to Yan raises questions about what lies ahead.
10. Carlos Ulberg — UFC light heavyweight champion (Prev: NR)Ulberg enters the top ten following Tom Aspinall's inactivity. He boasts a 10-fight winning streak including his April title win over Jiri Prochazka. Expected to return mid-2027 from ACL injury.

Others receiving votes: Alexandre Pantoja, Ciryl Gane, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev

Women's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Although neither Valentina Shevchenko nor Zhang Weili currently hold belts, they maintain the top positions among women fighters.

1. Valentina Shevchenko — Former UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 1)Shevchenko remains a mystery as the division moves on without her; Natalia Silva claimed the belt she vacated, and Jasmine Jasudavicius made a strong case to challenge Silva next.
2. Zhang Weili — Former UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 3)Zhang seems content outside the UFC for now. A return fight against Mackenzie Dern would make sense if she decides to come back.
3. Kayla Harrison — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)Harrison is set to defend her title November 14 at UFC 334 in Madison Square Garden against Amanda Nunes’ return.
4. Cris Cyborg — PFL women's featherweight champion (Prev: 4)Cyborg appears far from retirement with new organizations like Ki MMA and MVP MMA emerging, though finding competitive foes remains challenging.
5. Natalia Silva — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 5)Silva adjusts to her champion status, with potential matchups against Shevchenko or new contenders such as Alexa Grasso or Jasudavicius looming.
6. Dakota Ditcheva — PFL flyweight contender (Prev: 6)Ditcheva’s rise has been steady, and a rematch against Jena Bishop—who recently defeated Liz Carmouche—is anticipated.
7. Mackenzie Dern — UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 7)Dern faces the task of defending her title against tough challengers like Zhang, Tatiana Suarez, or Fatima Kline.
8. Amanda Nunes — UFC bantamweight contender (Prev: 8)Nunes’ return may mark more than a single fight, possibly a farewell tour, depending on her performance at Madison Square Garden.
9. Alexa Grasso — UFC flyweight contender (Prev: 9)Grasso’s stock has surged this year after impressive wins. A title shot could be on the horizon despite a past loss to Silva.
10. Seika Izawa — Former RIZIN super atomweight champion (Prev: 10)Izawa is on break for pregnancy but remains recognized for her submission skills, having 10 submission wins including a title defense.

Others receiving votes: Tatiana Suarez, Erin Blanchfield, Fatima Kline, Virna Jandiroba, Liz Carmouche

Panel Votes Summary

Shaheen Al-Shatti - Men: Islam Makhachev, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Sean Strickland, Joshua Van, Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili
Shaheen Al-Shatti - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, Seika Izawa, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Alexa Grasso, Dakota Ditcheva
Conner Burks - Men: Islam Makhachev, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Joshua Van, Carlos Ulberg, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan
Conner Burks - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg, Zhang Weili, Dakota Ditcheva, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Manon Fiorot, Seika Izawa, Fatima Kline
Petesy Carroll - Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, Sean Strickland, Joshua Van, Justin Gaethje, Ciryl Gane, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili
Petesy Carroll - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Kayla Harrison, Amanda Nunes, Dakota Ditcheva, Cris Cyborg, Mackenzie Dern, Natalia Silva, Alexa Grasso, Jasmine Jasudavicius
Ben Fowlkes - Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, Joshua Van, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, Sean Strickland, Alexandre Pantoja
Ben Fowlkes - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Kayla Harrison, Cris Cyborg, Natalia Silva, Dakota Ditcheva, Alexa Grasso, Amanda Nunes, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Fatima Kline
Eric Jackman - Men: Islam Makhachev, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Alexander Volkanovski, Arman Tsarukyan, Sean Strickland, Merab Dvalishvili, Ilia Topuria, Ciryl Gane, Khamzat Chimaev
Eric Jackman - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Cris Cyborg, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Alexa Grasso, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Tatiana Suarez, Dakota Ditcheva
Chuck Mindenhall - Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Sean Strickland, Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja
Chuck Mindenhall - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Kayla Harrison, Zhang Weili, Cris Cyborg, Alexa Grasso, Dakota Ditcheva, Natalia Silva, Amanda Nunes, Fatima Kline, Jasmine Jasudavicius
Drake Riggs - Men: Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski, Justin Gaethje, Joshua Van, Petr Yan, Ilia Topuria, Alexandre Pantoja, Carlos Ulberg, Merab Dvalishvili, Sean Strickland
Drake Riggs - Women: Valentina Shevchenko, Seika Izawa, Cris Cyborg, Zhang Weili, Natalia Silva, Mackenzie Dern, Kayla Harrison, Virna Jandiroba, Dakota Ditcheva, Alexa Grasso