Since Amanda Nunes was upset last December, the UFC has gone seven months without having a fighter who is the champion in two weight classes. However, that doesn’t mean the promotion’s roster is without top-level fighters. Many of the current champions in the promotion are having some of the most dominant runs in the company’s short history.
Like with NFL stats, fighters who are able to accumulate impressive wins against top competition quickly raise their profile. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top five fighters in the UFC right now.
5. Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko has put together an impressive resume after losing to Amanda Nunes in a razor-sharp split decision in September 2017. Shevchenko has improved her record to 23-3 by winning nine straight fights and has defended the lightweight championship seven times. While Shevchenko’s last fight was an ugly split decision win over Talia Santos, she has shown her mettle inside the Octagon by grinding out a win on a night where she didn’t perform her best.
All three of the losses Shevchenko have been to top-level fighters. Shevchenko has lost two fights with Nunes, who was a double champ in the UFC, and Liz Carmouche, who is the current Bellator women’s flyweight champion.
4. Charles Oliveira
Oliveira had to suffer embarrassment after not being able to defend his lightweight title in May against Justin Gaethje after missing weight. However, Oliveira didn’t let the adversity phase him and submitted Gaethje in the second round. While Oliveira’s fights aren’t always the most pretty — he was knocked down by Gaethje and Michael Chandler in his last two fights — he was able to climb the ranks by overcoming a lot of adversity.
Oliveira, who is 33-8, fell to 22-8 after being knocked out by Paul Felder in December 2017. What he’s done since then has been remarkable. He’s won 11 straight fights and has set the UFC record for most finishes, at 19, along the way. Oliveira captured the title by knocking out Chandler in May of 2021.
3. Israel Adesanya
While Israel Adesanya has taken criticism for not finishing fights, the middleweight champion has proven time and again he is one of the best strikers in the promotion. Since winning the championship in a fight with Kelvin Gastelum, Adesanya has defended his title five times, winning two of those by knockout.
Adesanya, who is 23-1 in his MMA career, took the only loss of his career trying to bump up and challenge for the light heavyweight championship. While Adesanya’s decision lose to Jan Blachowicz isn’t a major bump to his reputation, it prevents him from being in the rarefied air of being a double champ.
2. Alexander Volkanovski
Australian Alexander Volkanovksi has defended the featherweight championship four times since winning it off Max Holloway in December 2019. The victory has Volkanovski, who has three wins over Holloway in as many tries, eyeing up what the next challenge should be for him. Volkanovski, who is 23-3 during his career, may be the next fighter to try and hold a championship in two weight classes.
While there have been some unsteady moments for Volkanovski in a few fights — he was nearly submitted by Brian Ortega — Volkanovski has never looked as good as he did in his last two fights, dominant victories over the Korean Zombie and Holloway.
1. Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman hasn’t lost since 2012, his only career loss, and has defended his welterweight championship five times. While 10 of his 20 career victories have come by decision, Usman has shown the knack for finishing opponents since becoming champion. Usman knocked out Colby Covington, Gilbert Burns, and Jorge Masvidal since winning the title.
Usman has also shown the ability to fight more than one style of fight. He has also ground out victories over Covington and Masvidal during his time as champion. What has made Usman so competitive is that he has a strong wrestling background to be paired with excellent striking ability.