Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Flyweight

1. Joshua Van (16-2) | UFC [2]

It wasn’t necessarily the way he wanted to be crowned, but Van nonetheless became the second-youngest champion in promotion history when he defeated Alexandre Pantoja via first-round technical knockout at UFC 323. Because the victory came when Pantoja suffered an arm injury just 26 seconds into the opening frame, Van didn’t get the opportunity to showcase his skills against a long-reigning champion. Regardless of how it occurred, the Miyanmar native might already have a ready-made challenger in place: Tatsuro Taira was seated cageside after his UFC 323 triumph over Brandon Moreno.

2. Alexandre Pantoja (30-6) | UFC [1]

After authoring four successful flyweight title defenses, Pantoja’s reign ended in unfortunate fashion, as he fell to Joshua Van via technical knockout in just 26 seconds after suffering an arm injury in the UFC 323 co-main event. Prior to that defeat, “The Cannibal” had been victorious in eight straight Octagon appearances dating back to 2021 and was well on his way to cementing his place as one of the top 125-pound talents of all time. Given the nature of the loss, it’s difficult to imagine Pantoja not being given a chance to regain the title when he returns to full health.

3. Brandon Royval (17-8) | UFC [3]

Originally slated to face Manel Kape, Royval got more than he bargained for in a short-notice-booking against Joshua Van at UFC 317. While “Raw Dawg” was plenty game during a three-round slugfest, he couldn’t match the tight combinations and punching power of his 23-year-old opponent. Ultimately, a late knockdown sealed the decision loss for Royval, who was on the verge of a second flyweight title shot prior to the defeat. Royval vs. Kape has been booked for the third time — at the last UFC event of 2025 on Dec. 13.

4. Tatsuro Taira (18-1) | UFC [10]

Taira earned a signature victory at UFC 323, as he stopped former flyweight champ Brandon Moreno with a hailstorm of punches from back mount. The 25-year-old Japan native has been victorious in eight of nine Octagon appearances, with his lone loss coming via split decision against Brandon Royval. Already among the top contenders at 125 pounds, the best could be yet to come for a still-improving Taira.

5. Brandon Moreno (23-9-2) | UFC [4]

Moreno had a two-bout winning streak snapped at UFC 323, where he suffered a second-round technical knockout loss to up-and-coming Japanese talent Tatsuro Taira. While the stoppage might have been slightly early, there was no question that Moreno was in a bad situation with his opponent landed ground-and-pound from back mount. A victory might have set “Assassin Baby” up for another run at flyweight gold. Instead, the former champion falls further down the flyweight pecking order.

6. Amir Albazi (17-2) | UFC [5]

In his first Octagon appearance since June 2023, Albazi never got going against Brandon Moreno, losing a clear-cut unanimous decision in the UFC Edmonton headliner at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Nov. 2. Not only did “The Prince” suffer his first loss in six Octagon appearances, but he appeared to be a clear level below his Mexican opponent. It’ll be back to the drawing board for Albazi, who could have entered the title discussion had his night gone differently. Next, Albazi will face Japanese prospect Tatsuro Taira in a main event bout on Aug. 2.

7. Kai Kara-France (25-12, 1 NC) | UFC [6]

On the heels of a knockout victory against Steve Erceg, Kara-France’s punching power figured to be a serious threat in his title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 317. Instead, “Don’t Blink” appeared to be out of his depth for the entirety of the bout before succumbing to a rear-naked choke in the third stanza at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Kara-France has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances dating back to July 2022.

8. Muhammad Mokaev (16-0, 1 NC) | Brave CF [7]

Mokaev continued his successful journey outside the UFC, as he knocked out Gerard Burns in the second round of the Brave Combat Federation 100 headliner to capture the promotion’s flyweight crown. “The Punisher” is now 3-0 since his UFC release in July 2024, and he would instantly be one of the top contenders within the Las Vegas-based promotion’s flyweight division should be re-signed in the near future.

9. Steve Erceg (13-4) | UFC [8]

After pairings against Alex Perez and Hyun Sung Park fell through, Erceg moved up a weight class to take a short-notice booking against Ode Osbourne at UFC Vegas 109. “Astro Boy” survived a harrowing opening stanza, then worked his way back to capture a unanimous decision over a game opponent. Though the victory won’t affect his standing at 125 pounds, it does snap a three-fight skid for the Aussie.

10. Manel Kape (21-7) | UFC [9]

Kape continued to make his case for a title shot in the UFC Vegas 103 headliner, as he stopped Asu Almabayev via third-round technical knockout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Kape has now won six of his last seven outings. Unfortunately, “Starboy” was forced to withdraw from a pivotal clash against Brandon Royval at UFC 317 due to a broken foot. Kape and Royval will try to make their matchup happen for a third time at the final UFC card of the year on Dec. 13.

Other Contenders: Ramazonbek Temirov, Charles Johnson, Asu Almabaev, Tagir Ulanbekov, Alex Perez.

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