Issue 222

October 2025

Paul Browne jumps into the Fighters Only wayback-when machine to recap the best of mixed martial arts in September 2025

Khalil Rountree Jr. Looking to Make History at UFC 320 

Khalil Rountree Jr. sat down with Fighters Only’s Paul Browne ahead of his highly anticipated clash with former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320.

UFC 320's Sleeper Hit

With two championship belts on the line at T-Mobile Arena this Saturday, much of the buildup to UFC 320 has focused on the main events at the top of the card.

But for hardcore fight fans, the matchup between Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) and Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) could end up stealing the show. Two of the most dangerous strikers on the UFC roster will face off in a compelling bout that may carry major implications for the 205-pound title picture.

“Yeah, it’s very interesting, (it’s a) very tough matchup,” Rountree Jr. told Fighters Only. “It's a good matchup for a fight fan, you know? That's how I see it. If you're a fan of striking, if you're a fan of martial arts mixed martial arts then this is a fight for you absolutely!”

The War Horse’s Rise

A huge upswing in form has propelled “The War Horse” into the top tier of the division in recent years. With six wins in his last seven outings, Rountree Jr. has positioned himself as a title contender and firmly established his place in the division’s top five.

At 35, he has built a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the weight class. If he manages to put Prochazka on the canvas this weekend, he will set a new record for the most knockdowns in divisional history—surpassing two legends of the sport, Chuck Liddell and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

“That was also brought to my attention yesterday, so that was something that you know I was able to just kind of take home, you know, for myself last night,” he says, beaming with pride. “Like wow, like this is cool. You know, like I remember watching these guys. I remember being inspired by Chuck Liddell or Shogun Rua when they were in their prime. And now here I am, and my name is somewhere on the list next to them and could surpass them. So it's a really cool moment to take that in.”

Don’t Blink

With seven UFC knockouts to his name, Rountree Jr. is closing in on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (8) and Chuck Liddell (9) for the divisional record. This weekend, he steps in against Prochazka—an opponent who has finished all five of his UFC victories by knockout. According to John Wood, Rountree Jr.’s head coach at Syndicate MMA, fans can expect a show on Saturday night.

“I just can't see how this one possibly would go all three rounds,” Wood says with excitement. “I just don't see it. I just…I can't see that anybody sees it unless something— and I've gone on record to say that if it does, you know, these guys are going to be going to the hospital afterwards. Obviously, hopefully not on our end. I'm a little, you know, a little biased on this one. It's a phenomenal matchup.

“Jiri has a lot of tools and craziness and things that he brings to the that are really fun to game plan for. It's always a puzzle. You know, as a coach, I always look at how do we get around. How do we solve these puzzles? How is this person trying to the puzzle that we bring?

“I can tell you this: it's been a great camp. Khalil is amazingly healthy and I haven't seen him this violent in a while. And I know that itch is there and he wants to scratch it. And I think that you it's going to be a very, very, very violent fight. It's going to be exciting fight. I think this is the fan favorite on the card from everything that I hear.

“And as a fan, like, I would love to sit back and just watch this fight. You know, I got the best seat in (the house) but it’s a little more stressful than sitting on the couch drinking some beer and watching the fight, enjoying it. But I really do not see this going all three rounds. And obviously I'm going to go with Khalil on this one by brutal knockout.”

Matches To Make: What’s Next For The Big Winners From UFC 320? 

As Dana White once famously said, “I sell ‘holy sh*t’ moments for a living!”

Saturday’s pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas certainly delivered plenty of them. Alex Pereira’s return to his rightful place as the sport’s brightest star capped off a wildly entertaining night of fights — and on a chaotic weekend of mixed martial arts action, reminded everyone why the UFC remains the dominant force in combat sports.

With UFC 320 wrapped up, the focus shifts to what lies ahead for those who stole the spotlight in Las Vegas.

Alex Pereira

Normal service resumes.

After an ill-tempered buildup to Saturday’s main event, Alex Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) reminded everyone of the magic that made him a world champion in two weight classes. In arguably the toughest stylistic matchup of his UFC career, “Poatan” produced his fastest finish inside the Octagon — needing just 80 seconds to consign Magomed Ankalaev’s title reign to the history books.

As contenders circled the cage in the aftermath of the Brazilian’s spectacular win, it’s fair to assume Pereira may feel he’s outgrown the idea of facing either Jiri Prochazka or Carlos Ulberg again. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

In just three years, Pereira has competed in eight title fights across two divisions, winning six and defeating six different opponents who have held UFC gold at some point in their careers. As he continues to build an almost absurd résumé, the 38-year-old has more than earned the right to call his shot before his career is done.

Give the man what he wants.

Give him Jon Jones.

Chama.

Merab Dvalishvili

We are witnessing greatness.

In the wake of another record-breaking performance from Merab Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA, 14-2 UFC) against Cory Sandhagen in Saturday’s main event, the debate over who stands as the most accomplished bantamweight of all time has reignited. Yet with every passing performance from the Georgian, that conversation feels increasingly unnecessary.

“The Machine” extended his all-time UFC record for takedowns to 117 on Saturday night. To put that into perspective, the legendary Georges St-Pierre sits second on the list — with 27 fewer takedowns than the current champion. Even more impressive, Dvalishvili achieved this in just 16 fights, while GSP’s tally came over 22.

By the time all is said and done, the reigning 135-pound champion’s name will likely be etched into the record books alongside a list of achievements that may never be touched.

After three successful title defenses in 2025 so far, the 34-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Whether the UFC grants his wish for a quick turnaround and another title fight on the December pay-per-view in Las Vegas remains to be seen. If it happens, it would likely be a rematch with Petr Yan (19-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC), whom he outpointed in March 2023.

If there’s no room for Dvalishvili on the year’s final PPV, he could instead face the winner of Mario Bautista (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC).

Jiri Prochazka

After enduring two brutally violent opening rounds against Khalil Rountree on Saturday, Jiri Prochazka (32-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) rallied to flatline “The War Horse” in the third and final round of their epic encounter.

“I’m a guy who’s not going from the balance to the chaos, but instead I’m finding balance IN the chaos,” the former light heavyweight champion told me when we spoke in the lead-up to the fight. “Maybe that’s my life challenge – to find the peace first (within the chaos of the fight) and then go to my full power.”

The Czech giant’s performance on Saturday perfectly encapsulated why he has captured the imagination of the UFC fanbase. He marches to the beat of his own drum and demands our complete attention whenever he steps into the cage.

Despite having lost to Alex Pereira twice before, the cameras panned to Prochazka in the wake of the Brazilian’s win on Saturday — completely ignoring Carlos Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), whose impressive winning streak arguably should have pushed him ahead of Prochazka in the race to face “Poatan” next.

There’s a chance Prochazka won’t get a third shot at the champion, especially if Pereira moves up to heavyweight for a White House showdown against Jon Jones. However, given the UFC’s new policy of requiring champions to vacate their belts when moving up to chase another title, there’s a strong possibility we see Prochazka face Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight strap early in 2026.

“I’ve Got to See Him at Heavyweight” – Sanko Challenges Pereira to Go Big (Oct 10)

Laura Sanko is ready to see Alex Pereira make even more history.

Pereira (13-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) regained the light heavyweight title he lost earlier this year when he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 last Saturday. The win was the Brazilian’s sixth title-fight victory in the UFC, and with world championships in two weight classes in both MMA and kickboxing, “Poatan” has already cemented his legacy as one of the most decorated fighters of all time.

With Jiří Procházka and Carlos Ulberg chasing the next shot at Pereira’s 205-pound title, UFC color commentator Laura Sanko revealed that she would prefer to see the champion test the waters in the heavyweight division.

"For Alex, he's already doing such extraordinary things, I feel like we as fans want to see how far he can push the envelope," Sanko told MMA Junkie. "How extraordinary can he be? Yes, I would like to see him at some point, I don't know if it's next because I would love to see that Carlos fight, but at some (point) I've got to see him at heavyweight. How incredible would that be to be his story, to go win a fight, or even a title at heavyweight? That would be insane.

"But in the same breath I also appreciate guys like (Alexandre) Pantoja and Merab (Dvalishvili), who are just going to absolutely clean out, and clean out again, their respective divisions."

Procházka also made headlines at UFC 320, knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr. in spectacular fashion to throw his name back into the mix for the next shot at Pereira’s belt. However, given that the Czech powerhouse has already lost to Pereira twice, Sanko believes Carlos Ulberg might sneak ahead of the former light heavyweight champion if Pereira chooses to remain at 205 pounds and defend his title.

"I would love to see him fight Carlos, and if he gets win over Carlos, I've got to see him at heavyweight at some point," Sanko said. "I saw some people arguing that Jiri jumped the line with his knockout. I don't think so just because we've already seen that fight, as amazing as Jiri's phoenix rising from the ashes was. But I want to see the Carlos fight first."

UFC Rio Bonus Winners: Oliveira Continues To Create History

The UFC wrapped up its Saturday event in Brazil by awarding four post-fight bonuses, one of which went to the main-event victor who added yet another milestone to his growing list of promotional achievements.

Following UFC Fight Night 261 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, four standout fighters earned an additional $50,000 each for exceptional performances inside the Octagon. Here are the bonus recipients:

Performance of the Night: Julia Polastri

Julia Polastri (14-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) delivered an impressive striking performance in her preliminary bout against seasoned veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Polastri picked apart her opponent on the feet over the first two rounds in an entertaining contest, then rocked Kowalkiewicz with a perfectly placed high kick in the third before finishing her with a flurry of strikes against the cage.

Performance of the Night: Bia Mesquita

The UFC debut of one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitors of all time didn’t disappoint, as Bia Mesquita (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) showcased her exceptional grappling acumen against Irina Alekseeva in a dominant opening round that even had commentator Mike Bisping questioning whether a 10-7 scorecard could be in order.

Mesquita got right back to work in the second round and submitted her opponent quickly, pocketing a $50,000 bonus in the process.

Performance of the Night: Vitor Petrino

Vitor Petrino (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) blew Thomas Petersen away during their heavyweight encounter on the preliminary card. A huge uppercut left Petersen face down on the mat and landed Petrino an extra $50,000.

Performance of the Night: Charles Oliveira

Much of the talk ahead of UFC Rio surrounded Charles Oliveira’s (36-11 MMA, 24-11 UFC) numerous records and achievements during his UFC career. Facing a short-notice opponent who presented a completely different challenge to that of his predecessor Rafael Fiziev, “Do Bronx” made short work of Mateusz Gamrot, submitting the Pole in the 2^ndround.

Oliveira has now extended many of his records. He is now 18-0 when fighting on Brazilian soil, is the owner of the most finishes (21) in UFC history, the most submissions (17), and the most Performance of the Night bonuses (14). 

Matches To Make: What’s Next For The Big Winners From UFC Rio? 

Saturday’s event at Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena was meant to serve as a love letter to the spiritual home of mixed martial arts. However, after four consecutive defeats for hometown fighters opened the main card, the atmosphere turned to shock and disbelief.

Deiveson Figueiredo managed to halt the skid with a gritty win over Montel Jackson in the co-main event, but once Charles Oliveira made his walk to the Octagon, all was forgiven as the Brazilian crowd finally got their moment of celebration.

Oliveira’s dominant performance and submission win over Mateusz Gamrot blew the roof off the arena, delivering a moment of brilliance reminiscent of José Aldo’s iconic victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 179 eleven years ago.

With the dust now beginning to settle, it’s time to matchmake for the biggest winners from UFC Fight Night 261.

Charles Oliveira

He called for it during his post-fight interview inside the Octagon, and he’s likely to get the matchup he wants. Charles Oliveira (36-11 MMA, 24-11 UFC) vs. Max Holloway (27-8 MMA, 23-8 UFC) for the BMF title is a fight that would excite the entire UFC fanbase—and the timing couldn’t be better.

With both men seemingly excluded from the title picture at 155 pounds following decisive defeats to Ilia Topuria, pairing the two former champions makes all the sense in the world. As we saw when Holloway fought Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 in July, a matchup between two universally respected legends will always capture the imagination of fans, deliver massive interest, and create a moment worthy of main-event status.

Deiveson Figueiredo

With his split-decision win over Montel Jackson in Saturday’s co-main event, former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (25-5-1 MMA, 14-5-1 UFC) improved to 4-2 since moving up to the bantamweight division two years ago.

The 37-year-old told ESPN after the fight that he hopes to compete again this year, possibly in a No. 1 contender matchup, while 135-pound champion Merab Dvalishvili hinted in a social media post that the Brazilian could even be next in line for a title shot.

In reality, Figueiredo may need one more victory to enter serious title contention. Saturday’s win snapped a two-fight skid, and a split-decision over the division’s No. 15-ranked fighter could be a tough sell when selecting future contenders.

However, if “Deus da Guerra” were to defeat former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC), his case would become much stronger.

Let’s book it.

Joel Alvarez

Saturday’s win over Vicente Luque marked a successful welterweight debut for Joel Alvarez (23-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). “El Fenómeno” has now gone 8-1 since losing his UFC debut to Damir Ismagulov in 2019, with his only loss during that stretch coming against Arman Tsarukyan three years ago.

Luque recently fell out of the welterweight rankings, which means Alvarez’s victory may not earn him a spot in the top 15 just yet, but the Spaniard has clearly proven he’s ready to compete for the opportunity.

Geoff Neal (16-7 MMA, 8-5 UFC) has served as a reliable litmus test for rising contenders at 170 pounds, including Ian Machado Garry, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Carlos Prates. Let’s add Alvarez to that list.

UFC Vancouver Spotlight: De Ridder – “Allen’s Jiu-Jitsu Is Sloppy” 

Ahead of his appearance in the main event at UFC Vancouver this Saturday, Reinier de Ridder sat down with Fighters Only’s Paul Browne to discuss Anthony Hernandez’s withdrawal, stepping in against Brendan Allen, and why he believes their grappling isn’t on the same level.

As he prepares to headline a UFC event for the second time in a row this weekend, Reinier de Ridder can’t help but think about what might have been.

De Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) was originally scheduled to face Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in a compelling middleweight clash between two rising contenders. But when Hernandez withdrew due to injury, No. 8-ranked Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) stepped in to take his place. While De Ridder welcomes the challenge and the opportunity to stay active, he admits he was disappointed to lose the Hernandez matchup.

“To be honest, I was very disappointed when Hernandez pulled out,” De Ridder told Fighters Only. “It would be a very cool matchup, just style-wise. He is somewhat similar to what Khamzat (Chimaev) does in his approach to wrestling and getting to the back. So yes, it would be a very cool fight, but I think we won't have to wait too long for it. I think we'll see that fight again soon.

“And meanwhile, I just do what I do. I want to fight, I want to be active. Brendan is a good opponent. He's been in there with some of the best. He has a lot of experience. He's pretty dangerous in certain areas. So I’m just happy to be able to do this again.”

Relentless Rise to the Main Event

A former two-division world champion under the ONE Championship banner, De Ridder has made a rapid impact since arriving in the UFC less than a year ago. Saturday night at Rogers Arena will mark his fifth walk to the Octagon, and another win could move him within touching distance of title contention at 185 pounds.

With 14 career submission victories, De Ridder has built a reputation as one of MMA’s most suffocating grapplers. Allen, however, is no slouch on the mat either—he also owns 14 submission wins and has made his name tapping top opposition inside the UFC.

“His Jiu-Jitsu Is Sloppy”

Still, De Ridder isn’t convinced Allen will be able to match him in the grappling exchanges.

“I don't think jiu-jitsu is the thing he does best,” De Ridder said. “I think the thing he does best is in-the-pocket boxing combinations. He does very well with that. He has a good right cross, good left hook, and a decent middle kick. He throws combinations very decently, and he isn’t afraid to get up close and get into danger.

“His jiu-jitsu is all right, but it's pretty sloppy in a lot of areas. In his previous fights, he does get submissions sometimes, and he does get good positions sometimes. But in the Fluffy fight, for instance, he fell off the back like five times, and Fluffy fell off the back like 10 times. That hurt my eyes at times!”

With Allen stepping up on short notice, the main event in Vancouver carries new intrigue. Instead of a wrestler vs. grappler showdown against Hernandez, fight fans may now get an intense stylistic battle between two submission hunters with a point to prove.

Duke Roufus, Influential MMA Trainer and Roufusport Founder, Dead at 55 

Duke Roufus has sadly passed away.

The 55-year-old died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday. Scott Joffe, a coach at Roufusport, announced the news on his Facebook page on Friday:

“Today, the Roufusport family and martial arts world was stunned by the heartbreaking news that Duke Roufus, world-renowned top MMA coach, founder, and namesake of Roufusport MMA Academy, passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Joffe wrote on Facebook.

“Duke was more than a celebrated trainer and champion kickboxer — he was a mentor, innovator, father, and friend whose influence transformed the landscape of mixed martial arts. His knowledge, charisma, and passion inspired countless fighters to reach heights they never imagined possible. From world champions to first-day students, everyone who crossed his path felt his genuine care and unwavering belief in their potential. His loss leaves an irreplaceable void in the sport and in the hearts of all who knew him.

“Though we grieve deeply, Roufusport MMA Academy will continue forward, driven by Duke’s enduring philosophy and commitment to excellence. The culture he built — rooted in respect, hard work, and family — will live on through the fighters, coaches, and students who proudly carry his torch. His impact will echo in every strike, every lesson, and every victory that bears the Roufusport name.”

Matches To Make: Unpacking the UFC Middleweight Division 

The race to determine the next challenger for UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev was already complicated before UFC Vancouver. But when Brendan Allen shook things up by stopping Reinier de Ridder in the main event at Rogers Arena, the title picture became even murkier. With none of the top contenders currently booked, the question now is: what comes next for the division’s elite in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night 262?

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nassourdine Imavov

When Reinier de Ridder’s corner chose to stop the fight after four grueling rounds in Saturday’s main event, Nassourdine Imavov (17-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) effectively secured his spot as the division’s No. 1 contender. He was already widely considered next in line to challenge Khamzat Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), but there was still a lingering belief that “RDR” might jump ahead with a dominant performance in front of the Canadian crowd.

That possibility is now gone, and “The Sniper” appears all but guaranteed to be the next challenger for the middleweight title.

Brendan Allen vs. Caio Borralho

Opportunity knocked for Brendan Allen (26-7 MMA, 14-4 UFC) when Anthony Hernandez withdrew from Saturday’s No. 1 contender fight against Reinier de Ridder just three weeks before the event. Few people gave “All In” much of a chance against the former ONE Championship titleholder, but the dominant way he handled the Dutchman definitely turned some heads.

Still, with recent losses to both Nassourdine Imavov and Hernandez in the past 13 months, Allen is unlikely to jump into the title conversation just yet. However, Saturday’s victory should earn him a high-profile matchup in his next appearance. A logical pairing would be No. 7–ranked Caio Borralho (17-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who suffered his first UFC defeat at the hands of Imavov at UFC Paris in September.

These two also have some history—they faced off earlier this year in a grappling match at Karate Combat 53.

Reinier de Ridder vs. Sean Strickland

After a blazing start to his run at 185 pounds, Reinier de Ridder (21-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) finally hit a wall in dramatic fashion on Saturday. The towering Dutchman looked like a shadow of his former self against Brendan Allen and based on how drained he appeared at Friday’s weigh-ins, he may now be seriously considering a move up to light heavyweight.

If he decides to stay at middleweight and build on the momentum he created with four wins in his first eight months with the UFC, a matchup with Sean Strickland (29-7 MMA, 16-7 UFC) would make a lot of sense. The former champion is expected to be eligible to return from suspension in early 2026.

Dricus Du Plessis vs. Anthony Hernandez

When he defeated Roman Dolidze to push his winning streak to eight back in August, “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) cemented himself as a legitimate contender at 185 pounds. His withdrawal from Saturday’s matchup against Reinier de Ridder may turn out to be only a brief setback, and one more high-profile victory should put him right back in the title conversation.

The same can be said for Dricus Du Plessis (23-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC). His loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August was decisive, but “Stillknocks” remains a top-tier fighter with true championship pedigree.

New Champion Mackenzie Dern Open to Tatiana Suarez or Zhang Weili as First Title Defense 

Mackenzie Dern can look forward to some major challenges following her statement victory at UFC 321.

Dern (16-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) finally achieved her dream of becoming a UFC champion on Saturday night at the Etihad Arena, outpointing Virna Jandiroba (22-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) over 25 minutes to claim the UFC women’s strawweight title.

The newly crowned champion adds the UFC belt to her collection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world titles earned before making the transition to mixed martial arts in 2016.

Having now reached the pinnacle in a second discipline, Dern can turn her attention to the list of potential challengers awaiting her. Her predecessor, Zhang Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who vacated the title earlier this year to pursue Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight crown, could reemerge as a contender, according to Dern. She also considers one of Zhang’s former opponents a possible matchup.

"I don't know how much say I have now being a champion," Dern said at the UFC 321 post-fight press conference. "I don't know how much my word and my decisions get into play. But I'm here to defend it, so whoever gets sent to me, I'll be ready for. I don't know if (Zhang) Weili (will come back), but I would definitely like to fight Tatiana (Suarez). Maybe she gets one more fight in. I want to have a couple more fights with some grapplers."

 Dern’s victory in Saturday’s co-main event didn’t come easy. She was forced to battle through 5 gruelling rounds against Jandiroba before getting her hand raised, and she revealed that she was slightly disappointed not to pick up a stoppage win on the night.

"I felt like I could win. I felt like the fight could be mine, but I wanted to get a knockout and be like a champion with a submission or a knockout so no one could say anything," Dern explained. "With MMA and the critics, it's always going to be like that."

Matches To Make: What’s Next For The Big Winners From UFC 321?

The frustration in the air was palpable at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena following Saturday’s main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. While the event ended on an anticlimactic note and may have lacked standout moments, several fighters still managed to improve their positions moving forward.

Let’s take a look at who made the biggest moves in this week’s updated UFC rankings.

Mackenzie Dern Into Pound-For-Pound Rankings

After capturing the UFC strawweight title with her decision win over Virna Jandiroba in Saturday’s co-main event, Mackenzie Dern has debuted at No. 6 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings, while Jandiroba falls to No. 11.

Within the strawweight division, Jandiroba now sits in third place, behind Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez.

Umar Nurmagomedov In Pole Position

After returning to the win column on Saturday night, Umar Nurmagomedov has leapfrogged former champion Sean O’Malley to become the No. 1 contender at 135 pounds. His victory over Mario Bautista puts the Dagestani standout in prime position to challenge the winner of the upcoming bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan.

Stalemate at Heavyweight

The lack of closure from Saturday’s main event has carried over into the UFC heavyweight rankings. Despite two bouts featuring top-10 fighters on the main card, there’s been no movement among the division’s elite. Tom Aspinall (champion), Ciryl Gane (No. 1), Alexander Volkov (No. 2), and Jailton Almeida (No. 5) all remain in place.

Valter Walker, however, made some progress. The Brazilian earned his fourth consecutive win by heel hook, submitting Louie Sutherland and climbing one spot to No. 14.

Murzakanov Continues His Rise

Following his sixth consecutive victory inside the Octagon in Saturday’s main card opener, Azamat Murzakanov climbs three spots to No. 7 in the light heavyweight rankings. Aleksandar Rakić, whom he knocked out in the opening round, drops three places to No. 10.