Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Flyweight
1. Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) | UFC [1]
Pantoja’s second successful title defense wasn’t sealed until the fifth round at UFC 301, when he assumed top position late in the frame against Steve Erceg to clinch a hard-fought unanimous decision triumph in Rio de Janeiro on May 4. Pantoja’s ability to mix up his attacks proved crucial against Erceg, who often got the better of exchanges with crisp boxing and elbows to the head. In less than a year, “The Cannibal” has captured flyweight gold and defended it twice — all in five-round battles. The Brazilian will return to defend his crown agianst Rizin veteran Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 co-main event.2. Brandon Royval (17-7) | UFC [2]
Royval slowed Tatsuro Taira’s ascent in the UFC Vegas 98 headliner, as he outlanded his foe on the feet and survived some precarious grappling situations to capture a split-decision triumph at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Oct. 12. “Raw Dawg” has earned back-to-back victories over Taira and Brandon Moreno since falling to Alexandre Pantoja in a 125-pound title bout at UFC 296 in December 2023. The 32-year-old Factory X product has won five of six Octagon appearances since 2022 and would be very much in the title discussion if Pantoja were to relinquish his belt.3. Brandon Moreno (21-8-2) | UFC [3]
While it was a sometimes bizarre performance from Moreno in the UFC Fight Night 237 headliner, he was still quite competitive in a split-decision loss to Brandon Royval in Mexico City. However, it was concerning that Moreno appeared to have less stamina than his opponent, and the loss all but eliminates the possibility of an immediate rematch with Alexandre Pantoja in the near future. Moreno will nonetheless have a high-profile booking when he meets Amir Albazi in the UFC Fight Night 246 main event in Edmonton.4. Amir Albazi (17-1) | UFC [4]
In his first fight on the big stage, Albazi captured a contentious split-decision triumph over former interim title challenger Kai Kara-France in the UFC on ESPN 46 headliner. Though many observers felt Albazi didn’t deserve the win, he nonetheless came the closest of the two combatants to finishing the fight when he nearly locked in a rear-naked choke in the third round. The Iraqi flyweight has now won six straight outings — including five in UFC competition. After being sidelined by a neck injury, Albazi will return to face Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Fight Night 246 in Edmonton.5. Kai Kara-France (25-11, 1 NC) | UFC [5]
In his first fight in more than a year, Kara-France made a statement, flooring former title challenger Steve Erceg twice on his way to a first-round technical knockout victory in the UFC 305 co-main event at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. That snaps a two-bout skid for “Don’t Blink” who was coming off a contentious split-decision loss to Amir Albazi in June 2023. As impressive as the effort was, the City Kickboxing representative may need at least one more victory before he can lay claim to a flyweight title shot.6. Askar Askarov (15-1-1) | ACA [6]
After being granted his UFC release in 2022, Askarov sat out for the majority of 2023 before making his return at Absolute Championship Akhmat 166, where he outpointed Alan Gomes on Nov. 24. The 31-year-old Fighting Eagle representative has won four of five outings since 2020, a run that includes noteworthy triumphs against Alexandre Pantoja, Joseph Benavidez and Tim Elliott.7. Steve Erceg (12-3) | UFC [7]
One bout removed from a competitive showing against Alexandre Pantoja in an unlikely title shot at UFC 301, Erceg came crashing back to reality at UFC 305, suffering a first-round technical knockout loss to Kai Kara-France in the evening’s co-main event at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, on Aug. 17. After beginning his promotional tenure with three consecutive triumphs, “Astro Boy” will have to regroup in his next Octagon appearance.8. Muhammad Mokaev (13-0, 1 NC) | UFC [8]
“The Punisher” won the battle but may have lost the war at UFC 304. While the 23-year-old phenom defeated Manel Kape by decision in a fight that was elevated to a grudge match by multiple scuffles during fight week, the fight itself was a strange, tepid affair. To make things worse for the Dagestani by way of England, UFC President Dana White, apparently tired of Mokaev's antics, announced after the event that the promotion would not be re-signing him. Mokaev figures to be an interesting figure on the free-agent market.9. Manel Kape (19-7) | UFC [9]
Kape had a mixed showing against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304, gutting it out after a nasty toe injury on his way to a competitive decision loss. However, Kape's notoriously low output on the feet betrayed him once again, and he had precious few moments against the undefeated phenom. It may be cold comfort to "Starboy" that his tormentor appears to have lost his job in the UFC after their fight, as he himself faces a long climb back to the title picture. Kape will attempt to get back on track against Bruno Silva at UFC on ESPN 63 in Tampa.10. Tatsuro Taira (16-1) | UFC [10]
Taira wasn’t quite ready to make the leap at UFC Vegas 98, where he dropped a split decision to Brandon Royval in the evening’s main event at the UFC Apex on Oct. 12. The Japanese standout looked dominant at times with his grappling, but his striking wasn’t on the same level — and that proved to be the difference in one of the year’s best fights. Taira’s stock won’t fall too far in a competitive defeat, and he figures to be in line for another prominent matchup when he’s ready to return to action.Other Contenders: Alex Perez, <Asu Almabaev, Charles Johnson, Jarred Brooks, Azamat Kerefov.
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