Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – Alex Pereira, at 38 years old, decisively reasserted his dominance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) last Saturday, October X, at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. The Brazilian striking phenom recaptured the light heavyweight championship by delivering an 80-second technical knockout (TKO) victory over Magomed Ankalaev, silencing prior whispers regarding the potential wane of his prime. This performance not only secured his second reign as light heavyweight king but also significantly elevated his standing in the critical pound-for-pound rankings, moving him from No. 8 to No. 4.
The victory served as a profound redemption following a sluggish decision loss to Ankalaev seven months prior at UFC 313. That initial encounter, now widely understood to have been compromised by Pereira battling a reported broken hand and a case of norovirus, painted an incomplete picture of his capabilities. In their immediate rematch, a fully healthy Pereira showcased the form that has made him one of the most dangerous and compelling fighters in the sport. His renewed focus was evident, a direct result of choosing to forego global ambassador duties and instead dedicating himself to an intense training camp at his Connecticut gym, mentored by former UFC champion Glover Teixeira.
From the opening bell, Pereira demonstrated an aggressive, forward-moving strategy, racing across the Octagon to pressure Ankalaev and force him onto the defensive. The decisive moment arrived when Ankalaev made a critical error, opening an opportunity that Pereira exploited with a rocket right cross, dropping his opponent. Pereira swiftly followed up with a barrage of elbows and hammer strikes from top position on the ground, prompting the referee to halt the contest.
Pereira’s rapid ascent in the UFC has been nothing short of historic. In less than four years as a UFC fighter, "Poatan" has amassed a 10-2 record, securing two divisional championships. His resume includes seven victories against current or former champions, and he has participated in eight title bouts across just 12 total fights. A remarkable statistic underscores his impact: he holds the distinction of having defeated every fighter he has faced inside the Octagon. Prior to his UFC tenure, Pereira forged a legendary kickboxing career, capturing titles in two divisions with GLORY and earning induction into its Hall of Fame.
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Despite approaching 40, an age often considered late-career in combat sports, Pereira’s trajectory appears unhindered. His ambition now extends to a potential move to heavyweight. He will require some recovery time after reportedly suffering a broken foot during the Ankalaev rematch. However, his sights are already set on a super fight against former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, potentially slated for June at a UFC event planned for the White House in Washington, D.C. An even more significant prospect looms: a shot at the winner of the October heavyweight title bout between Tom Aspinall and Cyril Gane. This contest would present Pereira with a groundbreaking opportunity to become the first three-division UFC champion in history.
Pereira’s ability to mask and mitigate perceived weaknesses, particularly his ground game, has been instrumental in his historic success. Should he replicate this adaptable approach and achieve similar results in a third weight class, "Poatan" could solidify a legitimate claim to departing the sport as the most accomplished fighter in its annals. His unique blend of power, precision, and star appeal continues to make him a compelling figure and a major pay-per-view draw.
UFC Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Update
1. Ilia Topuria — Lightweight Champion
Record: 18-0 | Previous Ranking: No. 1
Ilia Topuria reinforced his position as a leading contender for the face of the promotion by claiming the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in June, knocking out Charles Oliveira. Topuria stands as the first unbeaten, two-division champion in UFC history, lauded for arguably the most technical and explosive boxing skills ever seen in the Octagon. His trajectory suggests he could become the sport’s biggest star since Conor McGregor. A potential bout against Justin Gaethje is anticipated for early 2026.
2. Merab Dvalishvili — Bantamweight Champion
Record: 21-4 | Previous Ranking: No. 3
"The Machine" continues to evolve at 34, further solidifying his bantamweight title reign. Five months after outpointing the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov despite a back injury, Dvalishvili submitted former champion Sean O’Malley in their June rematch at UFC 316. He further defended his title for a third time in 2025 by outpointing Cory Sandhagen in October. Dvalishvili’s unparalleled cardio sets him apart in UFC history.
3. Islam Makhachev — Welterweight
Record: 27-1 | Previous Ranking: No. 2
Islam Makhachev recently vacated his 155-pound title, despite the presence of former featherweight king Ilia Topuria in the division. At 33, Makhachev is pursuing an opportunity to augment his growing legendary resume by competing for a title in a second weight class. He is set to challenge new welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena this fall, with a chance to equal Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 consecutive wins at November’s UFC 322 card in New York.
4. Alex Pereira — Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 12-3 | Previous Ranking: No. 8
Following a significant comeback, the 37-year-old Brazilian slugger returned from a decision loss to Magomed Ankalaev in March, where he reportedly competed at a compromised state. Pereira vowed to return at full health, and in their October rematch at UFC 320, he wasted no time, finishing Ankalaev to regain the light heavyweight title. He has since openly called for a move to heavyweight, aiming for a third title in as many divisions.
5. Khamzat Chimaev — Middleweight Champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous Ranking: No. 4
Despite prolonged inactivity due to injuries, illness, and scheduling challenges, Khamzat Chimaev emphatically demonstrated his formidable capabilities when fully healthy at UFC 319 in August. He thoroughly dominated Dricus du Plessis on the ground, securing a shutout decision and silencing critics regarding his five-round cardio. While some fans characterized his strategy against DDP as conservative, the performance served as a stark warning to the 185-pound division, signaling Chimaev’s readiness to usher in a new era.
6. Alexandre Pantoja — Flyweight Champion
Record: 31-5 | Previous Ranking: No. 5
Aging with increasing effectiveness, the 35-year-old Brazilian recorded his fourth title defense with a submission victory over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 in June. This win propelled Pantoja to first place for most victories, finishes, and submissions in flyweight history. A showdown against the rapidly ascending contender Joshua Van is next as Pantoja continues to build upon his legacy during this late-career resurgence.
7. Alexander Volkanovski — Featherweight Champion
Record: 27-4 | Previous Ranking: No. 6
A 14-month layoff proved beneficial for the 36-year-old Volkanovski, who rebounded from a pair of knockout losses to two of the sport’s top fighters. He brilliantly outpointed Diego Lopes to recapture the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 314 in April. Now a two-time champion, Volkanovski demonstrated, even at this stage of his career, that superior skills, fight IQ, and timing can overcome youth and power. A title defense against the unbeaten Lerone Murphy is anticipated for December.
8. Jack Della Maddalena — Welterweight Champion
Record: 24-4, 1 NC | Previous Ranking: No. 9
Despite a 14-month layoff and narrow victories in his three preceding fights, the Australian slugger ascended to the pinnacle of the 170-pound division with a hard-fought decision win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. Della Maddalena displayed elite boxing and footwork, but it was his robust takedown defense that played a pivotal role in conquering a deeply competitive division. His inaugural title defense is scheduled against Islam Makhachev in November at UFC 322.
9. Dricus du Plessis — Middleweight
Record: 22-3 | Previous Ranking: No. 10
While Dricus du Plessis’s initial nine trips to the Octagon were impressive, he proved quickly outmatched in yielding his middleweight title to the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August. Du Plessis offered no effective answers to Chimaev’s ground game, appearing novice-like despite his demonstrated toughness and willingness to continue fighting. A late rally in the closing seconds, aided by two referee standups, was insufficient to mitigate a largely one-sided dismantling.
10. Tom Aspinall — Heavyweight Champion
Record: 15-3 | Previous Ranking: NR
The 32-year-old British slugger, renowned for some of the fastest hands in the division, finally attained undisputed champion status when Jon Jones vacated his title and briefly retired earlier this year. Aspinall, who previously defended his interim title last summer, is set to defend the undisputed belt against Cyril Gane in October at UFC 321. The prolonged stalling and injury breaks associated with Jones’s career transitions arguably hindered Aspinall’s momentum, and he is now poised to make up for lost time.
Dropped out: Magomed Ankalaev
Just missed: Ankalaev, Umar Nurmagomedov, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Lerone Murphy, Reinier de Ridder
UFC Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Update
1. Valentina Shevchenko — Flyweight Champion
Record: 24-4-1 | Previous Ranking: No. 1
The future Hall of Famer further cemented her legacy at UFC 315 in May, outpointing the highly-touted Manon Fiorot over five rounds. The 37-year-old Shevchenko improved her UFC record for title wins by a female to 10 and achieved her eighth title defense by making crucial championship adjustments when it mattered most. A superfight against strawweight queen Zhang Weili is confirmed for UFC 322 in New York.
2. Zhang Weili — Strawweight Champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous Ranking: No. 2
Zhang Weili improved her UFC record to 10-0 against all opponents not named Rose Namajunas when she dominated the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez over five rounds at UFC 312 in February. At 35, Zhang continues to refine her overall game and plans to demonstrate this by moving up to 125 pounds, aiming to become a two-division champion. Zhang will challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title at UFC 322 in November.
3. Kayla Harrison — Bantamweight Champion
Record: 19-1 | Previous Ranking: No. 3
Despite enduring an exceptionally challenging weight cut to make the 135-pound championship limit, Kayla Harrison comprehensively dominated two-time champion Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in June to capture the women’s bantamweight title. A highly anticipated showdown against former champion and ex-teammate Amanda Nunes appears to be next, as MMA’s female G.O.A.T. reportedly returns to the sport at age 37. Harrison’s inspirational story of perseverance provided a genuinely uplifting moment for the sport.
4. Manon Fiorot — Flyweight
Record: 12-2 | Previous Ranking: No. 4
The 35-year-old French native’s impressive 7-0 start to her UFC career was halted as she narrowly lost a close decision to champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315 in June. Fiorot rebounded from a challenging first round, where her nose was battered, by leveraging her size and clinch work against Shevchenko in a strategic chess match. She will look to bounce back in October when she faces a streaking Jasmine Jasudavicius in Vancouver.
5. Natalia Silva — Flyweight
Record: 19-5-1 | Previous Ranking: No. 5
Unbeaten in seven trips to the Octagon, Natalia Silva secured a decision victory in May at UFC 315 against former champion Alexa Grasso, positioning the 28-year-old Brazilian for a potential title shot. The dynamic striker has won 13 consecutive fights overall since a 2017 loss on the regional circuit to Marina Rodriguez and remains a formidable test for any flyweight given her speed, feints, and accurate strikes.
Dropped out: None
Just missed: Virna Jandiroba, Erin Blanchfield, Julianna Pena, Alexa Grasso, Tatiana Suarez
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