Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Welterweight

1. Islam Makhachev (28-1) | UFC [1]

Makhachev appeared to be quite comfortable in his new weight class, as he grounded and controlled Jack Della Maddalena for the better part of five rounds in a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph at UFC 322. The Dagestani standout was rarely threatened as he earned his 16th consecutive promotional triumph, tying Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history. He also becomes the 11th fighter to win a belt in two weight classes. With a thriving welterweight division, Makhachev figures to have no shortage of interested suitors for his first 170-pound title defense.

2. Jack Della Maddalena (18-3) | UFC [2]

After upsetting Belal Muhammad to capture welterweight gold at UFC 315, Della Maddalena fell flat in his first title defense at UFC 322, where he dropped a lopsided five-round verdict to former lightweight king Islam Makhachev at Madison Square Garden. While the Aussie showcased strong defensive wrestling and grappling against Muhammad, he appeared largely hopeless when he was grounded by Makhachev in every frame of their title affair. That snaps an 18-fight professional winning streak for Della Maddalena, who might fall behind several worthy contenders in a crowded division.

3. Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0) | UFC [3]

Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his professional tenure, but he kept his unblemished record intact with a unanimous decision triumph over the previously unbeaten Ian Garry in the UFC 310 co-main event. In a closely-contested fight, Rakhmonov was able to author a few more significant moments than his opponent — while also surviving a couple too-close-for-comfort rear-naked choke attempts in Round 5 — to presumably secure a future title shot. However, an injury prevented Rakhmonov from facing Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, so that opportunity instead went to Jack Della Maddalena.

4. Michael Morales (19-0) | UFC [4]

Morales was absolutely overwhelming at UFC 322, where he finished Sean Brady via first-round technical knockout on Nov. 15 in New York. The Ecuadorian standout controlled the range and rocked his grappling-minded foe with impactful punches to earn his seventh triumph within the Las Vegas-based promotion — a run that includes successive first-round stoppages of Brady, Gilbert Burns and Neil Magny. With his latest effort, Morales may have jumped to the front of the contender’s queue at 170 pounds.

5. Ian Garry (17-1) UFC [5]

Garry staked his claim to the next welterweight title shot at UFC Qatar, where he took a three-round verdict over ex-champ Belal Muhammad in the evening’s co-headliner Though Garry’s victory was marred by a couple of eye pokes, he largely controlled the action on the feet while thwarting all of Muhammad’s takedown attempts. “The Future” is now 10-1 in the Las Vegas-based promotion, with notable triumphs over the likes of Muhammad, Carlos Prates, Michael Page, Geoff Neal and Neil Magny to his credit.

6. Belal Muhammad (24-5, 1 NC) | UFC [6]

Muhammad was game yet ultimately outmatched at UFC Qatar, as he dropped a unanimous decision to Ian Garry in the evening’s co-headliner on Nov. 22. While a victory would have kept him in the thick of the title chase, “Remember the Name” has now dropped back-to-back outings after compiling an 11-fight unbeaten streak in the Octagon from 2019 to 2024. At 37 years old, Muhammad may have already seen his peak come and go in the UFC — though he figures to remain a difficult matchup for many opponents at 170 pounds.

7. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (13-0) PFL [7]

Kuramagomedov made a statement at Bellator Champions Series Dublin, banking three rounds on the scorecards and then holding on for a unanimous decision triumph over Jason Jackson in the evening’s main event at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland in June 2024. By ending Jackson’s eight-fight winning streak, the Dagestani captured welterweight gold at the age of 27. The American Top Team product was able to blend striking and wrestling well enough to keep his opponent off balance for 15 minutes, though his late fade could be a concern in future title defenses. After more than a year on the sidelines, Kuramagomedov will square off with Shamil Musaev for PFL welterweight gold on Feb. 7.

8. Carlos Prates (23-7) | UFC [8]

Prates made a statement at UFC 322, as he knocked out former welterweight champion with a laser left hand in the second round of their bout at Madison Square Garden. Since suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Ian Garry at UFC Kansas City, “The Nightmare” has scored back-to-back first-round finishes of Edwards and Geoff Neal in the Octagon. The 32-year-old Brazilian is 6-1 in UFC competition overall — with all of his triumphs coming via KO or TKO.

9. Sean Brady (18-2) UFC [9]

Brady entered UFC 322 with dreams of a 170-pound title shot. He left Madison Square Garden battered and beaten following a lopsided first-round technical knockout loss to undefeated contender Michael Morales. The Philadelphia native was unable to utilize his trademark grappling against a larger adversary as he saw a three-bout UFC winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion. Brady is still 8-2 in the Octagon overall, but he figures to have plenty of work to do to reach the top of the division.

10. Leon Edwards (22-5, 1 NC) | UFC [10]

Edwards started reasonably well against Carlos Prates at UFC 322, but once the British verteran was baited into a striking battle he met his demise, falling via second-round knockout at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15. “Rocky” has lost three straight outings dating back to his title bout defeat against Belal Muhammad in July 2024. Given his status as a former welterweight champion, Edwards still figures to be the target of plenty of callouts in the months to come.

Other Contenders: Kamaru Usman, Shamil Musaev, Thad Jean, Jason Jackson, Yaroslav Amosov.

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