MMA pound-for-pound rankings (Oct. 2026): Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan go away voters with an unattainable alternative

If anybody has confirmed age is just a quantity, it’s 38-year-old Alexander Volkanovski, who flattened Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. How spectacular was his second-round TKO victory against the undefeated Russian? So spectacular that he makes a leap in this month’s Uncrowned MMA pound-for-pound rankings.

“Volk” now sits in the penultimate spot at No. 2, just behind the reigning king of the males’s ledger, Islam Makhachev. 

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On the ladies’s facet, Jasmine Jasudavicius’ spectacular work against the beforehand ranked Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton wasn’t fairly enough to crack her into the prime 10, though she obtained votes from 4 of the seven voters. This is a powerful room, but the rankings seem imminent in Jasudavicius’ future!    

The panel of Ben Fowlkes, Chuck Mindenhall, Shaheen Al-Shatti, Petesy Carroll, Drake Riggs, Eric Jackman and Conner Burks have ranked both the males’s and ladies’s pound-for-pound best, one through 10, utilizing a weighted factors system to decide the last rankings (being voted No. 1 equals 10 factors, No. 2 equals 9 factors, down to No. 10 equaling one level). 

Our only criterion for these month-to-month rankings is that a fighter has competed within at least a calendar yr of the publication date or has at least had a battle booked within that window. If a fighter hasn’t competed in a yr and books a battle after that time, he or she is once again eligible to be voted back in. Fighters who retire are no longer eligible for the rankings. 

Though most of the best fighters are at the moment in the UFC, these rankings are not UFC unique. We take into consideration all the main promotions, from PFL/MVP and RIZIN to ONE Championship and Ki MMA (when that becomes a factor). 

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Without further ado, here are Uncrowned’s MMA pound-for-pound rankings for late October 2026!  

MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND

1. Islam Makhachev — UFC welterweight champion (Prev: 1)

He said he needed to squeeze a battle in before Ramadan, but apparently that could not be labored out. Now that the UFC announced Carlos Prates and Michael Morales are going to battle for the interim title, Makhachev’s “to do” listing gets a little less daunting, though. One of those monstrous prospects will emerge with a placeholder belt, while the other slips down to secure distance. 

2. Alexander Volkanovski — UFC featherweight champion (Prev: 3)

Listen man, Volkanovski might’ve appeared like he was enjoying with fire by advocating for Evloev to get a shot at his featherweight title, but he knew what he was doing. That was classic “Volk” out there bewitching a true hungry contender. How long can he keep this up? How much larger can he get? And will the UFC take into account placing him against the light-weight champ, Justin Gaethje?

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3. Petr Yan — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)

There were some modest issues as to the extent of Yan’s back after surgical procedure, whether or not he’d be in prime situation for his huge trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili. He regarded strong to us! And now he is the true, undisputed, no-doubt bantamweight champion. Which is wild. We can bear in mind saying his downfall was that he occurred to exist while Merab was on the scene. The best means out is always through! 

4. Joshua Van – UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 4)

You know who’s busy? The 25-year-old wunderkind, Joshua Van. We’re barely a month eliminated from his spectacular double-down title protection over Alexandre Pantoja and the phenom already has his next project lined up. He’ll face Manel Kape in Toronto at UFC 336 in January, where he can add to his already mind-boggling putting numbers. 

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5. Justin Gaethje – UFC light-weight champion (Prev: 5)

Gaethje’s identify is being thrown around more than any on the roster, as everyone desires a piece of the champ. You know what, though? Gaethje is having fun with his time with the belt. He’s in no hurry. “Volk” desires a piece, and it seems like Arman Tsarukyan is next, but you surprise if his little pre-match dust-up with Dillon Danis at RAF 14 will issue into the UFC’s resolution. 

6. Ilia Topuria — Former UFC two-division champion (Prev: 7)

One particular person who was surprised by Merab Dvalishvili’s loss on Saturday was Topuria, who was caught on video expressing his disappointment. The query is what occurs next for the former two-division champion, who seems to be dropping ground in his hopes for a redo with Gaethje? Or will it be Paddy Pimblett? He is said to be circling a February return.

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7. Sean Strickland — UFC middleweight champion (Prev: 8)

He seems to have calmed down a little bit after his social media tantrum about his pay, particularly now that it’s clear he’s locked in for 5 more fights on his present contract. That doesn’t suggest he’ll make life simple on the UFC. Here’s guessing that Nassourdine Imavov is next, and the lead-up to that should be … fascinating. 

8. Arman Tsarukyan — UFC light-weight contender (Prev: 10)

You just knew Tsarukyan wasn’t going to behave as he waits for his quantity to be called by UFC matchmakers for a battle with Gaethje. The little brawl against Dillon Danis was prompted by a T-shirt that Danis was carrying, so what occurs when a higher troll comes along to provoke him? (We’d like to discover out … do not drop the ball on this UFC! Give the man his title shot!)

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9. Merab Dvalishvili – Former UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 6)

The distinction between the previous two years has been wild for Merab, who last yr at this time was gearing up for an unprecedented fourth title protection. This yr has been harsh. He finally got back into the Octagon at UFC 333 to settle issues with Yan, the man Merab saw as masquerading with his belt. But after dropping a close resolution, the query is …what’s left for “The Machine”?

10. Carlos Ulberg — UFC mild heavyweight champion (Prev: NR)

Perhaps he sneaks into the prime 10 due to Tom Aspinall’s ouster (it’s now been a full yr since he’s competed, which means Aspinall’s not eligible). Still, Ulberg deserves this spot, having won 10 fights in a row, including his title-clinching bout against Jiri Prochazka in April. He should return from his ACL damage in mid-2027, and it’ll be good to have him back on the scene!  

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(Others receiving votes: Alexandre Pantoja, Ciryl Gane, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev)

WOMEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND

1. Valentina Shevchenko — Former UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 1)

The mysteries surrounding Shevchenko are as profound as they are obtrusive, and it has to be a little unnerving to watch the division transfer on from her so shortly. Not only did Natalia Silva win the belt Shevchenko vacated, but Jasmine Jasudavicius made a case to face Silva next by beating Erin Blanchfield. Where does all this go away Shevchenko? (Seriously, we’re asking … does anyone know?)

2. Zhang Weili — Former UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 3)

Zhang seems to be having fun with life outside the UFC. If/when she does come back, a battle with Mackenzie Dern in a return to the division she once ruled would make the most sense. But, if we’re being trustworthy, it would not appear like Zhang’s too keen. It’s wait and see with the ex-champ.

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3. Kayla Harrison — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)

Harrison has a date and location on the books, which is Nov. 14 at UFC 334, at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Madison Square Garden), which is coming up fast. How will she look in her battle with the returning GOAT, Amanda Nunes? That stays to be seen, but Harrison firing strays at Ronda Rousey in the meantime has been loads entertaining. 

4. Cris Cyborg — PFL ladies’s featherweight champion (Prev: 4)

The one factor we can say with relative certainty: It seems like Cyborg is not fairly executed with preventing. Not with Scott Coker’s new Ki MMA about to launch and MVP MMA hovering around with plans of its own. There’s money to be made, yet discovering Cyborg related opponents has always confirmed to be a chore. Whatever occurs, Cyborg’s legacy is already solidified.

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5. Natalia Silva — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 5)

Silva is still getting used to carrying that outsized belt around, and it’s a burden she gladly bears after all those years working her means up. A battle with Shevchenko would be fascinating, and now that Silva has some expertise with 5 rounds here’s guessing she’ll be prepared for it. But there’s a good probability that a new contender — Alexa Grasso rematch? Jasudavicius? — crashes the celebration first.

6. Dakota Ditcheva — PFL flyweight contender (Prev: 6)

The first time Ditcheva fought Jena Bishop, nobody paid much consideration. In truth, Ditcheva was accused of preventing nobodies and tomato cans during her star-making run in 2024, up until she stopped Taila Santos. Now Bishop has overthrown Liz Carmouche and the rematch with Ditcheva feels not only inevitable, but … dare we say … huge?

7. Mackenzie Dern — UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 7)

Her pal Natalia Silva shined vivid in Salt Lake, and Dern was proper there to have a good time with her. Now the job will be defending her own 115-pound belt, and it’s a decide your poison proposition. Will it be Zhang, who vacated the belt that Dern now wears? Will it be Tatiana Suarez? Or perhaps a wild card, like Fatima Kline? Whoever it is, it’s going to be a powerful out. 

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8. Amanda Nunes — UFC bantamweight contender (Prev: 8)

It’s good to see Nunes making the rounds again, as it’s been a little quiet at bantamweight without her. It seems this return is about solidifying GOAT standing, yet the revelation is that Nunes is not coming back for a one-off. Loads relies upon on what occurs at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14, but we might be seeing more of a “Lioness Farewell Tour” than just a fast encore.

9. Alexa Grasso — UFC flyweight contender (Prev: 9)

Nobody’s stock has spiked this yr fairly like Grasso’s. Just when it appeared like she’d coughed up all her charms after a transient title run and back-to-back losses, she etherized Maycee Barber in March and then outclassed Manon Fiorot from pillar to post. Is a title shot next? We would not hate it. She lost a resolution against Silva in 2025, but that feels like a million years in the past. 

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10. Seika Izawa — Former RIZIN tremendous atomweight champion (Prev: 10)

Izawa is on a little break as she tends to her being pregnant, which means it’s a great time to catch up on her prowess as Japan’s biggest sensation. If you have not already, go examine out her spotlight reel of submissions. At just 28 years outdated, Izawa has 10 of them compiled, including one in her tremendous atomweight title protection 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)

Here’s how we voted:

SHAHEEN AL-SHATTI

MEN

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WOMEN

CONNER BURKS

MEN

WOMEN

PETESY CARROLL

MEN

WOMEN

BEN FOWLKES

MEN

WOMEN

ERIC JACKMAN

MEN

WOMEN

CHUCK MINDENHALL

MEN

WOMEN

DRAKE RIGGS 

MEN

WOMEN