If anyone proved age is just a number, it’s 38-year-old Alexander Volkanovski, who flattened Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. How impressive was his second round TKO victory against the undefeated Russian? It’s so impressive that he made a leap into the MMA crowns of this month’s pound-for-pound MMA rankings.
“Volk” currently sits in the penultimate spot at No. 2, just after the reigning king of men’s ledger, Islam Makhachev.
Advertisement
On the women’s side, “Aenean Jasudavicius”‘s heavy work against top seed Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton was not enough to crack her into the top 10, although she received votes from four out of seven voters. This is a tough cell, but there doesn’t seem to be any looming in the future of Jasudavicii!
Judges Ben Fowlkes, Chuck Mindenhall, Shaheen Al-Shatti, Petesy Carroll, Drake Riggs, Eric Jackman and Conner Burks ranked both men and women as the best threat, using a 10-point weighting system to determine the final rankings (No. 1 scored 10 points and nine points, No. 2 scored a tie).
The only criteria for these monthly features is that the fighter has fought within at least one calendar year of public publication or at least a fight has been booked in that window. If a fighter does not compete in a year and has a fight on the books after that time, he can be re-elected to be voted back. Fighters who retire are no longer eligible for the order.
Although most of the best fighters are currently in the UFC, these are the rankings not UFC exclusive. We will consider all the major promotions, from PFL/MVP and RIZIN to One Smile and Ki MMA (when it happens).
Advertisement
Without further ado, here are the crowned MMA heavyweights for late October 2026!
THE PEOPLE WERE SICK
What year is it?! Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski are again at the top of the rankings.
(Chris Unger via Getty Images)
1. Islam Makhachev — UFC welterweight champion (Prev: 1)
He said he wanted to press the fight in Ramadan, but apparently it could not be worked out. Now that the UFC has announced that Carlos Prates and Michael Morales will fight for the interim title, Makhachev’s “to-do” list is a little less debilitating, though. The hope of those giants emerges together with the tent belt, while the other slides to a safe space.
2. Alexander Volkanovski — UFC featherweight champion (Prev: 3)
Listen to the man, Volkanovski might’ve. it seemed It was like he was playing with fire by advocating for Evloev to have a shot at his title, but he knew what he was doing. That was the vintage “Volk” there, fascinating a true hungry contender. How long will this last? how much bigger can he get? And will the UFC consider him against a lightweight, Justin Gaethje?
Advertisement
3. Petr Yan — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)
There were some modest concerns as far back as Yan’s surgery, whether he would be in top condition for the big trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili. It looked solid to us! And now he is the true, unquestionable, unquestionable bantamweight champion. Which is wild. We remember to say that his accident happened while Merab intervened. Best outcome ever!
4. Joshua Van – UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 4)
You know who’s busy? Joshua Van Wunderkind, 25 years old. We are barely one month removed from his impressive double title defense over Alexandre Pantoja and the monster has already lined up his next assignment. Manel Kape will be in Toronto at UFC 336 in January, where he can already impress numerous minds.
Advertisement
5. Justin Gaethje – UFC lightweight champion (Prev: 5).
Gaethje’s name is thrown around more and more, as everyone wants a piece of his jaw. You know what though? Gaethje is enjoying his time with the belt. He is not in a hurry. “Volk” wants a piece, and it looks like Arman Tsarukyan is next, but you wonder if his little pre-match dust-up with Dillon Danis RAF 14 will be a factor in the UFC’s decision.
6. Ilia Topuria – Former UFC two division champion (Prev: 7)
One person who was stunned by the loss of Merab Dvalishvili on Saturday was Topuria, who was captured on video expressing his disappointment. The question is what happens next for those two champions who seem to be losing hope in the redo with Gaethje? Or will it be Paddy Pimblett? It is said to be rolling back in February.
Advertisement
Sean Strickland – UFC middleweight champion (Prev: 8)
He seems to have calmed down a bit after his social media tantrum about his salary, especially now that it’s clear he’s locked in five more fights in his current contract. What he doesn’t want is to make life easy in the UFC. Here it is suspected that Nassourdine Imavov is next, and the lead to that … please.
8. Arman Tsarukyan – UFC lightweight contender (Prev: 10)
You just knew Tsarukyan wasn’t going to do it while waiting for his number to be called by the UFC winners for the fight with Gaethje. A fight against Dillon Danis was sparked by the shirt Danis was wearing, what happens when the better troll comes to challenge him? (I’d like to find out…they won’t drop the ball on this UFC! Give the man his title shot!)
Advertisement
9. Merab Dvalishvili – Former UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 6)
The difference between the past two years was Merab Liaec, who this time last year was gearing up for an unprecedented fourth title defense. This year has been cruel. He finally made his return to the Octagon at UFC 333 with Yan, disguised as Merab’s husband. to these belt But, having lost a close decision, the question is… what is left of “The Machine”?
10. Carlos Ulberg – UFC light heavyweight champion (Prev: NR)
Perhaps sneaking into the top 10 is Tom Aspinall’s ouster (it’s been a year since he competed, which means Aspinall’s not eligible). However, Ulberg deserves this spot, having won 10 fights in a row, including a title shot against Jiri Prochazka in April. He should be back from his ACL injury in the middle of 2017, and it will be good to have him back on stage!
Advertisement
(Other votes received: Alexandre Pantoja, Cyril Gane, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev)
(Hassan Ahmad, Yahoo Sports)
COUNCIL FOR WOMEN
Neither Valentina Shevchenko nor Zhang Weili holds the belt, but they still hold the top spots in the MNA.
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
1. Valentina Shevchenko — Former UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 1)
The mysteries surrounding Shevchenko are as deep as they look and there is little hesitation in moving from her to the division show so quickly. Not only did Natalia Silva win Shevchenko’s vacant belt, but Aenean Jasudavicius made a case against Silva by then beating Erin Blanchfield. Where does Shevchenko leave all this? (Seriously, we’re asking… does anyone know?)
2. Zhang Weili – The UFC’s Most Spurious Forms (Prev: 3)
Zhang seems to be enjoying life outside of the UFC. If/when she does return, a fight with Mackenzie Dern in a return to the division she once dominated would make the most sense. But, if we’re being honest, Zhang doesn’t seem too keen. Wait and see when I order.
Advertisement
3. Kayla Harrison – UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)
Harrison has a date and place on the books, which is November 14 at UFC 334, at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Madison Square Garden), which is going up fast. How will CHAPELLA, Amanda Nunes look in the fight? That remains to be seen, but Harrison’s mistake in Ronda Rousey is plenty entertaining in the meantime.
4. Cris Cyborg – PFL women’s lightweight champion (Prev: 4)
We can say one thing with relative certainty: It looks like Cyborg has had little to do with the fight. Not since Scott Coker is launching the new Ki MMA and MVP MMA is flying around with his plans. With money to be made out there, finding the right Cyborg opponents always proved to be a chore. Whatever happens, Cyborg’s legacy is already solidified.
Advertisement
5. Natalia Silva – UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 5)
Silva is still used to wearing a belt outside the belt, and he carries that load gladly after so many years of working his way up. A fight with Shevchenko would be fascinating, and now that Silva has some experience with five rounds here I guess he’ll be ready. But maybe a new contestant — Alexa Grasso rematch? Jasudavicius? – the first party rushes in.
6. Dakota Ditcheva – PFL flyweight contender (Prev: 6)
Ditcheva fought Bishop Jena the first time, no one paid much attention. In fact, Ditcheva was accused of punching zero and caning tomatoes in the 2024 star race, until Taila Santos stopped it. Now Bishop has ousted Liz Carmouche, and a reunion with Ditcheva not only feels inevitable, but… dare we say it. great?
7. Mackenzie Dern – UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 7)
Her pal Natalia Silva shined in Salt Lake, and Dern was there to celebrate with her. Now it will be necessary to protect the proper belt of 115 Mina, and there is a proposal to pull out the poison. Or will it be Zhang who gives Dern the belt she currently wears? Will it be Tatiana Suarez? Or maybe a wild card, like Fatima Kline? Whoever it is, it’s going to be tough.
Advertisement
8. Amanda Nunes – UFC bantamweight contender (Prev: 8)
It’s good to see Nunes making the rounds again since it’s been a little quiet at bantamweight without her. It seems that this return is about solidifying CHAPEL’s status, but it is a revelation that Nunes will not be returning for a one-off. A lot depends on what happens in Madison Square Garden on November 14, but we can see more of the “Lion’s Farewell Tour” than a quick encore.
9. Alexa Grasso – UFC flyweight contender (Prev: 9)
No stock has spiked quite as much this year as Grasso. Just when it seemed as if she had thrown up all her fandom after brief title losses and back-to-back losses, Maycee Barber was ethered in March and then pushed Manon Fiorot from pillar to post. Is the title shot next? I don’t hate it. He lost the trial against Silva in 2025, but that feels like a million years ago.
Advertisement
10. Seika Izawa – Former RIZIN super atomweight champion (Prev: 10)
Izawa is on a bit of a break as she tends to her pregnancy, which means she has a big time catching up on her power as Japan’s biggest sensation. If you haven’t already, take a look at their bright mess of houses. At just 28 years old, Izawa has compiled 10 of them, including one in his super atomweight title defense against Rena Kubota. Dynamite, it has been said, comes in small packages.
(Others receiving votes: Tatiana Suarez, Erin Blanchfield, Fatima Kline, Virna Jandiroba, Liz Carmouche)
(Hassan Ahmad, Yahoo Sports)
Here is how we decided;
SHAHEEN AL-Shatti
People
Advertisement
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
CONNER BURKS
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
PETESY CARROLL
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
BEN FOWLKES
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
ERIC JACKMAN
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
CACHINNO hears everything
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN
DRAKE Riggs
People
DEDICATED TO WOMEN