For the first time ever, Woodward Sports is introducing its official UFC pound-for-pound list.

1. Islam Makhachev (24-1)

Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev became the number one pound-for-pound fighter with his victory this past Saturday. Islam defeated featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in a close five-round decision. Islam Makhachev has showcased that he can compete and win against the best in the world with wins over Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira.

2. Alexander Volkanovski (25-2)

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski drops to number two on the P4P list due to his loss to Islam Makhachev. Volkanovski’s resume is one of the greatest of all time, having defeated Max Holloway three times, Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega, etc.

3. Leon Edwards (20-3)

Leon Edwards had one of the craziest comebacks and knockout wins in 2022 with a stellar last-minute head kick to knock out the former welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king, Kamaru Usman. Furthermore, Leon has been in the UFC for a good amount of time but has never peeked this high on the P4P list.

4. Kamaru Usman (20-2)

Former pound-for-pound king and welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, drops to number four on the list. Usman had the number one spot for a long time, but after his loss to Leon Edwards, he is forced to drop down. Usman returns to the octagon in March at UFC 286 in a rematch with the champion Leon Edwards. Winning the trilogy against Leon could potentially bump Usman to the number one spot.

5. Alex Pereira (7-1)

Middleweight champion Alex Pereira joined the list due to his fifth-round TKO over Israel Adesanya. Alex only had three fights in the UFC before his title fight, but he has proven that he is one of the best finishers in the UFC.

6. Israel Adesanya (23-2)

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya drops to No. 6 after a loss to Alex Pereira. Izzy is scheduled to a rematch with Pereira in April at UFC 287 to try and retain his belt. An impressive win over Alex Pereira will bump Izzy back into the top five.

7. Charles Oliveira (33-9)

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has the most finishes in UFC history and one of the best resumes. He has dropped to number seven due to a loss against Islam Makhachev in 2022. Additionally, he is rumored to face lightweight contender Beneil Daruish in 2023 and is looking to fight for the championship in the future.

8. Aljamain Sterling (22-3)

Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling is on an eight-fight winning streak and is coming off a title win against TJ Dillishaw. Also, Aljamain has proven he belongs on this list with wins over Petr Yan, Cory Sandhagen, Renan Barao, etc.

9. Brandon Moreno (21-6-2)

Brandon Moreno became the undisputed flyweight champion earlier this year. Moreno finished former champion Deiveson Figueiredo for the second time to close out their rivalry. Moreno also has wins over Kai Kara-France and Branon Royval.

10. Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1)

The former light heavyweight champion, Jiri Porchazka, is one of the most dynamic strikers in the UFC. Although he is the former champion due to a shoulder injury, some believe that he is the best fighter in the 205-pound division.

11. Jon Jones (26-1)

Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has not fought in the octagon in about three years. Nevertheless, Jon Jones is arguably the greatest fighter of all time and deserves to stay on this list. He is scheduled to fight for the heavyweight title in March against Cyril Gane. A win over Gane at heavyweight could bump Jones to the number one spot.

12. Jamahal Hill (12-1)

Jamahal Hill became the undisputed light heavyweight champion with a win over Glover Teixeira in January. Hill is currently on a four-fight winning streak, with three finishes against top names in his division.

13. Robert Whittaker (25-6)

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been one of the most skilled fighters in the UFC for a long time. He is one of the most complete fighters, and he showcased his skills in his previous match against Marvin Vettori. Whittaker could potentially be fighting for the title again later this year.

14. Dustin Poirier (29-7)

Dustin Poirier is currently ranked second in the lightweight division. Although Poirier has never been the undisputed champ, he is considered one of the greatest lightweights ever. He has defeated Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler, Dan Hooker, Max Holloway, etc.

15. Max Holloway (23-7)

Former featherweight champion Max Holloway is scheduled to fight Arnold Allen in April. Although Holloway is coming off a loss against Volkanovski, he is still considered one of the best strikers in the UFC. In his title reign, he defeated Jose Aldo twice, Anthony Pettis, Brian Ortega, and Frankie Edgar.

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