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          Small changes in biggest weight class in MMA divisional rankings

          Ciryl Gane, right, became UFC interim heavyweight champion by knocking out Alex Pereira in June. Bonnie Cash/Pool/EPA/Shutterstock
          • Brett OkamotoSep 15, 2026, 11:00 PM
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              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.
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          The UFC's heavyweight division appears to be stuck in neutral gear.

          It's not just about Tom Aspinall vacating the championship on Monday because he is still recovering from an eye injury suffered in last October's no-contest in a title defense against Ciryl Gane. Gane, who won the interim championship with a knockout of Alex Pereira in June, remains atop the ESPN rankings. The top 10 still features Aspinall -- he's eligible to be ranked until the middle of next month, when he will have been inactive for a year -- and includes two heavyweights from outside the UFC in the top six (Francis Ngannou, Vadim Nemkov).

          The heavyweight rankings underwent small changes as a result of Saturday's UFC matchup of top-10 fighters Waldo Cortes Acosta and Curtis Blaydes. Cortes Acosta entered the weekend ranked sixth, but after losing by unanimous decision, he drops to No. 9. Blaydes is one spot above him, moving up from 10th.

          The only other movement in the divisional rankings is at women's flyweight, where former UFC champion Alexa Grasso moves up one position to No. 4 after Saturday's unanimous decision win over Manon Fiorot. Formerly ranked second, Fiorot drops three spots after her first loss in a nontitle bout since her pro debut in 2018.

          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 Sept. 15. 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)