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Featherweight
1. Ilia Topuria (15-0) | UFC [1]
Topuria ushered in a new era in the featherweight division with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in the UFC 298 headliner at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on Feb. 17. “El Matador” ended what had been a competitive bout with a clean right hook at the 3:32 mark of Round 2, showcasing his frightening fight altering power in the process. Topuria has all the makings of a massive star, capable of spearheading the promotion’s first-ever card in his home country of Spain. At just 27 years old, the future appears to be bright indeed for Topuria.2. Alexander Volkanovski (26-4) | UFC [2]
Volkanovski couldn’t overcome Father Time at UFC 298, as the 35-year-old Aussie suffered a second-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria in the evening’s main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Regardless of what the future holds, Volkanovski will go down as one of the sports all-time great featherweights and given his previously perfect record at 145 pounds, he has a solid case for an immediate rematch with Topuria. Whether that happens remains to be seen.3. Max Holloway (25-7) | UFC [3]
Holloway asked for Chan Sung Jung and then put on a show in Singapore, sending “The Korean Zombie” into retirement with a third-round knockout victory in the UFC Fight Night 225 headliner. In victory, “Blessed” earned his first UFC finish since 2018 and has won four of his last five promotional outings dating back to 2021. With his path back to the top of the division still murky, Holloway will move to 155 pounds to challenge Justin Gaethje for the BMF belt at UFC 300.4. Brian Ortega (16-3, 1 NC) | UFC [4]
It was an inauspicious beginning for Ortega in the UFC Fight Night 237 co-main event. Not only did he roll his ankle during pre-fight introductions, but he was on the verge of being finished by Yair Rodriguez in the opening stanza. Instead of folding, “T-City” dug deep and rallied for a third-round submission victory in his first promotional appearance since July 2022. Ortega is still relevant at 145 pounds, but with just two victories in his last five outings, he could need at least one more win to return to title consideration.5. Patricio Freire (35-7) | Bellator [5]
Freire’s fateful choice to accept a booking on just days’ notice while in Japan to corner his brother Patricky ended in disaster. Facing the relatively unheralded Chihiro Suzuki at Super Rizin 2, “Pitbull” was leveled in under three minutes by a huge right hand. The Brazilian was slated to face Jesus Pinedo at the PFL vs. Bellator Champs event on Feb. 24 before his opponent withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. Then, a booking against short-notice foe Gabriel Braga also fell through just prior to the event. Freire will hope to have better luck when he defends his featherweight strap against Jeremy Kennedy in the Bellator 302 co-main event.6. Yair Rodriguez (19-5, 1 NC) | UFC [6]
Rodriguez was rolling against Brian Ortega in the opening round of their co-headlining matchup at UFC Mexico, flooring his opponent and building up a massive advantage in significant strikes. However, when the finish didn’t arrive, Rodriguez faded and Ortega got stronger, which ultimately resulted in “El Pantera” succumbing to an arm-triangle choke in the third stanza. Rodriguez, who harbored hopes of a future showdown with newly crowned champ Ilia Topuria heading into the bout, must now reassess his position in the featherweight division.7. Movsar Evloev (18-0) | UFC [7]
Evloev inched closer to championship contention with a three-round verdict against Arnold Allen at UFC 297. While the former M-1 Global champion didn’t score many style points in victory, he did keep his undefeated record intact while extending his UFC winning streak to eight. Another highly ranked opponent figures to be next for the Russian standout.8. Arnold Allen (19-3) | UFC [8]
Allen was largely ineffective against Movsar Evloev at UFC 297, as he dropped a unanimous decision to his undefeated Russian adversary at the Scotiabank Center in Toronto on Jan. 20. After beginning his Octagon tenure with 10 consecutive triumphs, “Almighty” has lost consecutive outings to Max Holloway and Evloev. Consider the caliber of the competition, there is no shame in defeat, but the Englishman does have some work to do to be considered among the division’s elite.9. Josh Emmett (19-4) | UFC [9]
Emmett put on an explosive performance at UFC 296, putting Bryce Mitchell to sleep with a single, crushing overhand right in the first round of their main card clash. With the late “Knockout of the Year” contender, Emmett snapped the first losing streak of his career and indicated that even at nearly 39, he has more to offer the division. While he faces a hard road to the top given his lopsided losses to Yair Rodriguez and Ilia Topuria, two of the fighters ranked above him, Emmett has staked out his place as the gatekeeper to the Top 5 for the immediate future.10. Calvin Kattar (23-7) | UFC [10]
An awkward landing following a leaping attack led to Kattar suffering a knee injury in the opening round of his headlining showdown with Arnold Allen at UFC Fight Night 213. Though “The Boston Finisher” came out for the second round, it only took one low kick from his opponent to bring an end to the fight. Kattar, who has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances, will make his return to action against former bantamweight king Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300.Other Contenders: Chan Sung Jung, Bryce Mitchell, Giga Chikadze, Movlid Khaybulaev, Edson Barboza.
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