Latest colby covington continues climb welterweight rankings

Brett OkamotoJul 21, 2026, 09:00 AM ET
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Dricus Du Plessis delivered a masterful performance on Saturday night in dominating Kamaru Usman in the UFC main event. He does not budge, however, in the ESPN divisional rankings.

Du Plessis was already No. 3 at middleweight, one spot below Khamzat Chimaev, who soundly defeated the South African last August to take away the UFC title. Chimaev has since lost the belt to Sean Strickland, who sits at No. 1 in the 185-pound rankings. There was nowhere for Du Plessis to move up.

The other ranked fighter who was in action over the weekend is not staying put, though. Tabatha Ricci, who was No. 9 at strawweight, falls out of the top 10 after being beaten both on the feet and in the grappling by Fatima Kline. Kline takes over the ninth spot at 115 pounds, her first appearance in the rankings.

For Kline, Saturday's clear decision win was her fourth straight victory since she dropped her UFC debut in 2024 to Jasmine Jasudavicius. Kline took that fight on short notice up a division at flyweight, where Jasudavicius is in the top 10.

Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

Results are current; rankings as of July 21. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

	1. Ciryl Gane, UFC interim champion Record: 14-2, 1 NC Last: W (TKO2) vs. Alex Pereira, June 14 Next: TBA
	2. Tom Aspinall, UFC champion Record: 15-3, 1 NC Last: NC1 vs. Ciryl Gane, Oct. 25, 2025 Next: TBA
	3. Francis Ngannou Record: 19-3 Last: W (KO1) vs. Philipe Lins, May 16 Next: TBA
	4. Alexander Volkov Record: 40-11 Last: W (UD) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, May 9 Next: TBA
	5. Sergei Pavlovich Record: 21-3 Last: W (KO1) vs. Tallison Teixeira, May 30 Next: TBA
	6. Waldo Cortes-Acosta Record: 17-3 Last: L (UD) vs. Alexander Volkov, May 9 Next: Sept. 12 vs. Curtis Blaydes
	7. Vadim Nemkov, PFL champion Record: 20-2 Last: W (Sub1) vs. Renan Ferreira, Dec. 13, 2025 Next: TBA
	8. Josh Hokit Record: 10-0 Last: W (TKO2) vs. Derrick Lewis, June 14 Next: TBA
	9. Serghei Spivac Record: 18-6 Last: W (UD) vs. Ante Delija, Feb. 21 Next: Aug. 22 vs. Victor Petrino
	10. Curtis Blaydes Record: 19-6, 1 NC Last: L (UD) vs. Josh Hokit, April 11 Next: Sept. 12 vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

	1. Alex Pereira Record: 13-4 Last: L (TKO2) vs. Ciryl Gane, June 14 Next: TBA
	2. Magomed Ankalaev Record: 21-2-1, 1 NC Last: L (TKO1) vs. Alex Pereira, Oct. 4, 2025 Next: July 25 vs. Bogdan Guskov
	3. Carlos Ulberg, UFC champion Record: 15-1 Last: W (KO1) vs. Jirí Procházka, April 11 Next: TBA
	4. Jirí Procházka Record: 32-6-1 Last: L (KO1) vs. Carlos Ulberg, April 11 Next: TBA
	5. Khalil Rountree Jr. Record: 14-7, 1 NC Last: L (KO3) vs. Jirí Procházka, Oct. 4, 2025 Next: TBA
	6. Paulo Costa Record: 16-4 Last: L (TKO3) vs. Azamat Murzakanov, April 11 Next: TBA
	7. Azamat Murzakanov Record: 16-1 Last: L (TKO3) vs. Paulo Costa, April 11 Next: TBA
	8. Dominick Reyes Record: 16-5 Last: W (SD) vs. Johnny Walker, April 11 Next: TBA
	9. Aleksandar Rakic Record: 14-6 Last: L (TKO1) vs. Azamat Murzakanov, Oct. 25, 2025 Next: Aug. 1 vs. Marcin Tybura
	10. Dustin Jacoby Record: 22-9-1 Last: W (TKO2) vs. Julius Walker, Feb. 7 Next: July 25 vs. Uran Satybaldiev

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

	1. Sean Strickland, UFC champion Record: 31-7 Last: W (SD) vs. Khamzat Chimaev, May 9 Next: TBA
	2. Khamzat Chimaev Record: 15-1 Last: L (SD) vs. Sean Strickland, May 9 Next: TBA
	3. Dricus du Plessis Record: 24-3 Last: W (UD) vs. Kamaru Usman, July 18 Next: TBA
	4. Nassourdine Imavov Record: 17-4, 1 NC Last: W (US) vs. Caio Borralho, Sept. 6, 2025 Next: TBA
	5. Caio Borralho Record: 18-2, 1 NC Last: W (UD) vs. Reinier de Ridder, March 7 Next: TBA
	6. Anthony Hernandez Record: 15-3, 1 NC Last: L (TKO3) vs. Sean Strickland, Feb. 21 Next: Aug. 22 vs. Gregory Rodrigues
	7. Brendan Allen Record: 27-7 Last: W (UD) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan, June 6 Next: TBA
	8. Joe Pyfer Record: 16-3 Last: W (TKO2) vs. Israel Adesanya, March 28 Next: TBA
	9. Israel Adesanya Record: 24-6 Last: L (TKO2) vs. Joe Pyfer, March 28 Next: TBA
	10. Reinier de Ridder Record: 12-4, 1 NC Last: L (UD) vs. Caio Borralho, March 7 Next: Aug. 22 vs. Roman Dolidze

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

	1. Islam Makhachev, UFC champion Record: 28-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, Nov. 15, 2025 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Ian Machado Garry
	2. Ian Machado Garry Record: 17-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, Nov. 22, 2025 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Islam Makhachev
	3. Carlos Prates Record: 24-7 Last: W (TKO3) vs. Jack Della Maddalena, May 2 Next: TBA
	4. Michael Morales Record: 19-0 Last: W (TKO1) vs. Sean Brady, Nov. 15, 2025 Next: TBA
	5. Jack Della Maddalena Record: 18-4 Last: L (TKO3) vs. Carlos Prates, May 2 Next: TBA
	6. Sean Brady Record: 19-2 Last: W (UD) vs. Joaquin Buckley, May 9 Next: TBA
	7. Gabriel Bonfim Record: 20-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Belal Muhammad, June 6 Next: TBA
	8. Joaquin Buckley Record: 21-8 Last: L (UD) vs. Sean Brady, May 9 Next: TBA
	9. Belal Muhammad Record: 24-6, 1 NC Last: L (UD) vs. Gabriel Bonfim, June 6 Next: TBA
	10. Yaroslav Amosov Record: 30-1 Last: W (Sub2) vs. Joel Alvarez, May 9 Next: TBA

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

	1. Justin Gaethje, UFC champion Record: 28-5 Last: W (TKO4) vs. Ilia Topuria, June 14 Next: TBA
	2. Ilia Topuria Record: 17-1 Last: L (TKO4) vs. Justin Gaethje, June 14 Next: TBA
	3. Arman Tsarukyan Record: 23-3 Last: W (Sub2) vs. Dan Hooker, Nov. 22, 2025 Next: TBA
	4. Charles Oliveira Record: 37-11, 1 NC Last: W (UD) vs. Max Holloway, March 7 Next: TBA
	5. Max Holloway Record: 28-9 Last: W (TKO1) vs. Conor McGregor, July 11 Next: TBA
	6. Usman Nurmagomedov, PFL champion Record: 21-0, 1 NC Last: W (TechSub3) vs. Alfie Davis, Feb. 7 Next: July 31 vs. Archie Colgan
	7. Paddy Pimblett Record: 24-4 Last: W (TechSub1) vs. Benoit Saint Denis, July 11 Next: TBA
	8. Benoît Saint Denis Record: 17-4, 1 NC Last: L (TechSub1) vs. Paddy Pimblett, July 11 Next: TBA
	9. Mauricio Ruffy Record: 14-2 Last: W (TKO1) vs. Michael Chandler, June 14 Next: TBA
	10. Mateusz Gamrot Record: 26-4, 1 NC Last: W (Sub2) vs. Esteban Ribovics, April 11 Next: Aug. 8 vs. Quillan Salkilld

FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

	1. Petr Yan, UFC champion Record: 20-5 Last: W (UD) vs. Merab Dvalishvili, Dec. 6, 2025 Next: TBA
	2. Merab Dvalishvili Record: 21-5 Last: L (UD) vs. Petr Yan, Dec. 6, 2025 Next: TBA
	3. Sean O'Malley Record: 20-3, 1 NC Last: W (TKO2) vs. Aiemann Zahabi, June 14 Next: TBA
	4. Umar Nurmagomedov Record: 20-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Jan. 24 Next: Aug. 29 vs. Song Yadong
	5. Mario Bautista Record: 18-3 Last: W (UD) vs. Cory Sandhagen, July 11 Next: TBA
	6. Cory Sandhagen Record: 18-7 Last: L (UD) vs. Mario Bautista, July 11 Next: TBA
	7. Song Yadong Record: 23-8-1, 1 NC Last: W (Sub2) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, May 30 Next: Aug. 29 vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
	8. Aiemann Zahabi Record: 14-3 Last: L (TKO2) vs. Sean O'Malley, June 14 Next: TBA
	9. Deiveson Figueiredo Record: 25-7-1 Last: L (Sub2) vs. Song Yadong, May 30 Next: TBA
	10. David Martinez Record: 14-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Marlon Vera, Feb. 28 Next: TBA

MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

	1. Joshua Van, UFC champion Record: 17-2 Last: W (TKO5) vs. Tatsuro Taira, May 9 Next: TBA
	2. Alexandre Pantoja Record: 30-6 Last: L (TKO1) vs. Joshua Van, Dec. 6, 2025 Next: TBA
	3. Manel Kape Record: 23-7 Last: W (TKO3) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi, June 20 Next: TBA
	4. Brandon Royval Record: 18-9 Last: W (Sub3) vs. Lone'er Kavanagh, July 11 Next: TBA
	5. Tatsuro Taira Record: 18-2 Last: L (TKO5) vs. Joshua Van, May 9 Next: TBA
	6. Kyoji Horiguchi Record: 36-6, 1 NC Last: L (TKO3) vs. Manel Kape, June 20 Next: TBA
	7. Lone'er Kavanagh Record: 10-2 Last: L (Sub3) vs. Brandon Royval, July 11 Next: TBA
	8. Brandon Moreno Record: 23-10-2 Last: L (UD) vs. Lone'er Kavanagh, Feb. 28 Next: Sept. 12 vs. Joseph Morales
	9. Muhammad Mokaev, Brave CF champion Record: 15-0, 1 NC Last: W (TKO2) vs. Gerard Burns, Nov. 7, 2025 Next: TBA
	10. Asu Almabayev Record: 24-3 Last: W (Sub3) vs. Charles Johnson, June 27 Next: TBA

WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

	1. Joselyne Edwards Record: 18-6 Last: W (UD) vs. Norma Dumont, April 25 Next: TBA
	2. Norma Dumont Record: 13-3 Last: L (UD) vs. Joselyn Edwards, April 25 Next: TBA
	3. Ketlen Vieira Record: 16-5 Last: W (UD) vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti, May 16 Next: Aug. 22 vs. Cris Cyborg
	4. Ailin Perez Record: 13-2 Last: W (UD) vs. Macy Chiasson, Feb. 28 Next: TBA
	5. Yana Santos Record: 17-8, 1 NC Last: W (UD) vs. Macy Chiasson, Oct. 4, 2025 Next: TBA
	6. Macy Chiasson Record: 11-6 Last: L (UD) vs. Ailin Perez, Feb. 28 Next: TBA
	7. Luana Santos Record: 11-2 Last: W (UD) vs. Karol Rosa, June 20 Next: TBA
	8. Jacqueline Cavalcanti Record: 10-2 Last: L (UD) vs. Ketlen Vieira, May 16 Next: TBA
	9. Karol Rosa Record: 19-8 Last: L (UD) vs. Luana Santos, June 20 Next: TBA
	10. Nora Cornolle Record: 9-4 Last: L (Sub2) vs. Joselyne Edwards, Feb. 21 Next: TBA

WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

	1. Valentina Shevchenko, UFC champion Record: 26-4-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Zhang Weili, Nov. 15, 2025 Next: TBA
	2. Manon Fiorot Record: 13-2 Last: W (TKO1) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius, Oct. 18, 2025 Next: Sept. 12 vs. Alexa Grasso
	3. Natalia Silva Record: 20-5-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Rose Namajunas, Jan. 24 Next: TBA
	4. Erin Blanchfield Record: 14-2 Last: W (Sub2) vs. Tracy Cortez, Nov. 15, 2025 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
	5. Alexa Grasso Record: 17-5-1 Last: W (KO1) vs. Maycee Barber, March 28 Next: Sept. 12 vs. Manon Fiorot
	6. Dakota Ditcheva Record: 15-0 Last: W (UD) vs. Sumiko Inaba, July 19, 2025 Next: July 31 vs. Denise Kielholtz
	7. Maycee Barber Record: 15-3 Last: L (KO1) vs. Alexa Grasso, March 28 Next: TBA
	8. Jasmine Jasudavicius Record: 15-4 Last: W (UD) vs. Karine Silva, April 18 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Erin Blanchfield
	9. Rose Namajunas Record: 15-8 Last: L (UD) vs. Natalia Silva, Jan. 24 Next: TBA
	10. Liz Carmouche Record: 26-8 Last: W (Sub2) vs. Viviane Araujo, June 27 Next: TBA

STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

	1. Zhang Weili Record: 26-4 Last: L (UD) vs. Valentina Shevchenko, Nov. 15, 2025 Next: TBA
	2. Mackenzie Dern, UFC champion Record: 16-5 Last: W (UD) vs. Virna Jandiroba, Oct. 25, 2025 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Gillian Robertson
	3. Virna Jandiroba Record: 23-4 Last: W (UD) vs. Tabatha Ricci, April 4 Next: TBA
	4. Tatiana Suarez Record: 13-1 Last: W (Sub2) vs. Loopy Godinez, April 11 Next: TBA
	5. Gillian Robertson Record: 17-8 Last: W (UD) vs. Amanda Lemos, March 14 Next: Aug. 15 vs. Mackenzie Dern
	6. Amanda Lemos Record: 15-6-1 Last: L (UD) vs. Gillian Robertson, March 14 Next: TBA
	7. Loopy Godínez Record: 14-6 Last: L (Sub2) vs. Tatiana Suarez, April 11 Next: TBA
	8. Iasmin Lucindo Record: 18-6 Last: W (UD) vs. Angela Hill, Aug. 9, 2025 Next: TBA
	9. Fatima Kline Record: 10-1 Last: W (UD) vs. Tabatha Ricci, July 18 Next: TBA
	10. Amanda Ribas Record: 12-7 Last: L (TKO2) vs. Tabatha Ricci, July 26, 2025 Next: TBA

	1. Alexander Volkanovski, UFC champion Record: 28-4 Last: W (UD) vs. Diego Lopes, Jan. 31 Next: TBA
	2. Movsar Evloev Record: 20-0 Last: W (MD) vs. Lerone Murphy, March 21 Next: TBA
	3. Diego Lopes Record: 28-8 Last: W (KO2) vs. Steve Garcia, June 14 Next: TBA
	4. Aljamain Sterling Record: 26-5 Last: W (UD) vs. Youssef Zalal, April 25 Next: TBA
	5. Lerone Murphy Record: 17-1-1 Last: L (MD) vs. Movsar Evloev, March 21 Next: TBA
	6. Jean Silva Record: 17-3 Last: W (UD) vs. Arnold Allen, Jan. 24 Next: TBA
	7. Kevin Vallejos Record: 18-1 Last: W (TKO1) vs. Josh Emmett, March 14 Next: TBA
	8. Steve Garcia Record: 19-6 Last: L (KO2) vs. Diego Lopes, June 14 Next: TBA
	9. Arnold Allen Record: 21-4 Last: W (UD) vs. Melquizael Costa, May 16 Next: TBA
	10. Youssef Zalal Record: 18-6-1 Last: L (UD) vs. Aljamain Sterling, April 25 Next: TBA