Islam Makhachev Tops UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings 2025

Russia’s Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, has ended 2025 at the top of the UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings, which evaluate fighters regardless of weight class.

Following Makhachev, Spain’s Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria ranks second, while UAE’s Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev holds third place in the rankings, The Caspian Post reports, citing Russian media.

Makhachev secured the UFC Welterweight crown on November 15 by defeating Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision, a victory that propelled him to the top of the UFC Pound-for-Pound list.

Makhachev, 34, boasts a record of 28 wins (five by KO/TKO, 13 by submission, ten by decision) and one defeat. The Russian fighter became the UFC Lightweight champion in October 2022. He successfully defended his title four times.

Earlier in the year, Makhachev decided to vacate his champion’s title in the Lightweight Division and move to the Welterweight Division. After defeating Australia’s Maddalena last month, he became the first Russian fighter to win champion’s titles in two different UFC weight categories.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotional event, featuring the world’s top-ranked fighters. Numerous Russian fighters fight in the UFC.