Presented By
        Presented By

          Light heavyweight rankings have movement, but Ankalaev stays put

          Magomed Ankalaev put on a strong performance on Saturday but does not move in the ESPN light heavyweight rankings. EPA/Ali Haider
          • Brett OkamotoJul 28, 2026, 11:00 PM
            Close
              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
            Follow on X

          Magomed Ankalaev was dominant in winning the UFC main event on Saturday, more than tripling Bogdan Guskov's striking output, getting two takedowns and amassing three submission attempts before stopping him in the fifth round. But Ankalaev, a former champion, does not move in the ESPN light heavyweight rankings, where he is No. 2, because he is behind another ex-champ, Alex Pereira, who beat him last October.

          The only movement in the 205-pound rankings comes at the bottom of the top 10. Dustin Jacoby falls from the rankings after a TKO loss to UFC newcomer Muhammad Said. Jacoby was replaced at No. 10 by Navajo Stirling, who puts his undefeated record on the line this Saturday against Jan Blachowicz.

          The one other change in the rankings also involves a 10th-ranked fighter. Amanda Ribas drops from the strawweight rankings because she is newly ineligible, having not fought in over a year. Ribas is replaced by Tabatha Ricci, who returns to the rankings after being bumped following last week's loss to Fatima Kline.

          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 July 28. 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 (up to 265 pounds)

          LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

          MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

          WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

          LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

          FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

          MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)