Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Flyweight
1. Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) | UFC [1]
Pantoja made short work of former Rizin bantamweight king Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 headliner, winning via second-round submission at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. “The Cannibal” now has three successful flyweight title defenses to his credit and for the first time during his reign, he didn’t need the full 25 minutes to get the job done. In the aftermath of his latest triumph, Pantoja issued an interesting callout to retired flyweight GOAT Demetrious Johnson. Whether that happens remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the Brazilian is the current gold standard in the division.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 (22-8-2) | UFC [3]
It appears a hiatus did Moreno some good, as the former flyweight champion cruised to a lopsided five-round verdict in his return against Amir Albazi in the UFC Edmonton main event. “Assassin Baby” outstruck his opponent for the better part of 25 minutes to rebound from back-to-back losses at the hands of Brandon Royval and Alexandre Pantoja. While another title shot might be unlikely given the current landscape of the division, it’s clear that Moreno is still among the best talents in the 125-pound weight class.4. Amir Albazi (17-2) | UFC [4]
In his first Octagon appearance since June 2023, Albazi never got going against Brandon Moreno, losing a clear-cut unanimous decision in the UFC Edmonton headliner at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Nov. 2. Not only did “The Prince” suffer his first loss in six Octagon appearances, but he appeared to be a clear level below his Mexican opponent. It’ll be back to the drawing board for Albazi, who could have entered the title discussion had his night gone differently.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. 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 (14-0, 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 has since signed with Brave FC and will face Luthando Biko on Dec. 13.9. Manel Kape (20-7) | UFC [9]
After a forgettable outing against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304, Kape put on a show en route to a third-round technical knockout victory against Bruno Silva at UFC Tampa to close out his 2024 campaign on a high note. “Starboy” has won five of his last six Octagon appearances, but his cries to UFC CEO Dana White for a title shot will likely fall on deaf ears until he secures another victory over a flyweight contender.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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