mma
Arman Tsarukyan elevates his position in MMA divisional rankings
Here's a look at every weight class to determine the best of the best in UFC, PFL and beyond.
Brett Okamoto · 22 September 2026 17:09 · 1 min
Arman Tsarukyan put on a performance at UFC 331 that makes him all but undeniable as the next challenger for the lightweight championship.
Tsarukyan has been in this position before. In January 2025, he pulled out of a title fight because of injury one day before he was to fight for the belt. Later in the year, he was twice passed over when the UFC was booking title bouts. But Saturday's elbow to the face of Mauricio Ruffy gave Tsarukyan the impressive first-round knockout he needed to position himself as the likely first challenger of champion Justin Gaethje.
Tsarukyan's victory also boosted him above former champion Ilia Topuria to No. 2 at lightweight in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.
That is the only movement in the rankings, as Saturday's main event winner, men's flyweight champion Joshua Van, already was the top-ranked 125 pounder. Ex-champ Alexandre Pantoja remains at No. 2.
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 Sept. 22. 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.
