Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Thanks to an unconventional fighting style, the South African has been often overlooked during his rise to the top of the middleweight division. However, after authoring his first title defense with a fourth-round submission of Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 headliner, it’s time to give “Stillknocks” the respect he deserves. With an eight-fight promotional winning streak in tow, Du Plessis takes over the No. 1 spot in Sherdog’s latest divisional rankings at 185 pounds. It should come as no surprise that the two men ranked directly beneath him — Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland — are both calling for their shot at the reigning middleweight champion.

Elsewhere, when Dan Hooker lost four of five Octagon appearances from June 2020 to March 2022, it looked like “The Hangman” was on his way out of the lightweight rankings. The times have certainly changed, as Hooker extended his current winning streak to three with a hard-fought split-decision triumph over fellow contender Mateusz Gamrot on the UFC 305 main card. The all-action Kiwi climbs from 11th to No. 8 in the latest 155-pound poll — one spot ahead of his vanquished opponent. In other lightweight news, there still appears to be no date in sight for Michael Chandler’s long-awaited showdown with Conor McGregor. The last time we saw the former Bellator champion in the cage was November 2022, so we bid farewell to the Chandler from the rankings. It’s unlikely that a win over McGregor — if the fight ever happens — would do anything to change that status.

After more than a year away from the Octagon, Kai Kara-France authored one of the biggest statement-making performances at UFC 305 when he knocked out recent flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg in the opening stanza of their co-main event clash. That snaps a two-bout skid for “Don’t Blink,” but due to a controversial head-to-head loss against Amir Albazi, Kara-France remains entrenched at the No. 5 position at 125 pounds.

In other action, a technical approach from Jairzinho Rozenstruik sent Tai Tuivasa to his fifth consecutive defeat in a battle of big men at UFC 305. The affable Aussie goes tumbling from the heavyweight bubble as a result, clearing the way for PFL finalist Denis Goltsov at No. 15. Meanwhile, Impa Kasanganay improved to 2-0 against Joshua Silveira in a PFL light heavyweight semifinal on Friday night. Kasanganay has won eight in a row at 205 pounds, so he maintains his No. 15 ranking in the latest update. Finally, Michelle Montague made short work of Marilia Morais in a featherweight contest on the PFL 8 undercard to improve to 6-0 in her burgeoning MMA career. In an extremely shallow division, activity and winning trumps quality of competition, so “The Wild One” moves to No. 11 at 145 pounds. Additionally, we say goodbye to inactive featherweight bubble listers Josiane Nunes and Marina Mokhnatkina, welcoming Jackie Cataline and Riley Martinez in their place.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

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