With last Saturday’s fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas stacked from top to bottom with ranked fighters, the UFC’s opening event of the new year caused significant movement throughout the rankings.
Media members who vote on the rankings were also notified that Michael “Venom” Page (previously ranked No. 15 in the middleweight division) will no longer compete at 185 pounds and will instead return to the welterweight division moving forward.
Let’s take a look at the biggest movers and shakers in the official rankings following UFC 324.
Lightweight Reshuffle
With his interim title win over Paddy Pimblett in last Saturday’s main event, Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) leapfrogged several notable names in the 155-pound rankings and now sits just behind reigning champion Ilia Topuria.
Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway each slide one spot to Nos. 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Stalemate at 135
Umar Nurmagomedov (20-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Sean O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) both picked up statement victories on Saturday night, but neither moved in the bantamweight rankings, remaining at Nos. 2 and 3.
Former champion Merab Dvalishvili holds firm as the division’s No. 1 contender behind the man who dethroned him in December, Petr Yan.
Salsa Boy Holds Firm
Another highlight-reel knockout win for Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) last weekend reaffirmed his status as one of the heavyweight division’s most exciting contenders. However, with the title picture seemingly on hold as Tom Aspinall recovers from an eye injury, “Salsa Boy” remains at No. 5.
Derrick Lewis (29-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC), whom Cortes-Acosta defeated at UFC 324, drops two spots to No. 10.
Silva Primed and Ready
Following her decision victory over former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas on Saturday’s main card, Natalia Silva (20-5-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) climbs one spot to join Manon Fiorot as the flyweight division’s joint No. 1 contender.
Lord Has Risen
Jean “Lord” Silva (17-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) is the biggest mover in this week’s updated rankings, jumping four spots to No. 6 at 145 pounds.
The Brazilian returned to the win column with his victory over Arnold Allen in Saturday’s main card opener and now firmly enters the featherweight title conversation.
