Greetings, fight fans! It’s that time again when we dive into the MMA Hook pound-for-pound rankings, where we separate the champs from the chumps and answer the age-old question: Who reigns supreme in the world of mixed martial arts?
UFC 294, a spectacle unlike any other, showcased a level of bizarre that even 2023 couldn’t have predicted. But amid all the chaos, there was one thing our panel could agree on without a shadow of a doubt: the main event’s winner deserved his spot at the top.
Before this epic showdown, there was just one name that had held the title of MMA Hook’s unanimous choice for the No. 1 Men’s Pound-for-Pound fighter since we started these rankings in July 2021: Kamaru Usman. That’s right, the champ.
But now, we have a new king of the hill, and his name is Islam Makhachev. Every single member of our esteemed panel has given him the nod as the undisputed top male fighter on the planet. The fighter he just defeated for the second time now takes the No. 2 spot, while Jon Jones holds on at No. 3, eagerly awaiting his heavyweight championship clash with Stipe Miocic at UFC 295.
Makhachev had been on our radar before, but his journey to the lightweight summit coincided with the dominance of champions like Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya. When Volkanovski fell short against Makhachev at UFC 284, the gap between them narrowed even further. Some argued that Volkanovski’s victory over Yair Rodriguez should have put him ahead, but Makhachev’s head-kicking heroics left no room for doubt.
Sure, you can nitpick and say that Volkanovski is a featherweight who took the fight on short notice, but in a battle of Pound-for-Pound greats, both fighters need skin in the game. And Makhachev seized the moment.
Now, let’s talk about Kamaru Usman’s dramatic fall from grace. Like Volkanovski, he stepped up on short notice to face a bigger opponent at UFC 294. And, like Volkanovski, he tasted the bitter pill of defeat.
Khamzat Chimaev narrowly defeated Usman, which might earn him a shot at the middleweight title, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone Usman in our rankings. Usman did, however, drop two spots to No. 8.
What’s next for Usman is anyone’s guess, and it depends on how the contenders in the 185 and 170 divisions fare in the coming months. But one thing’s for sure, the climb back to greatness won’t be a cakewalk.
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 2 Islam Makhachev def. No. 1 Alexander Volkanovski, No. 18 (tied) Khamzat Chimaev def. No. 8 (tied) Kamaru Usman.
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 3 Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic (UFC 295, Nov. 11), No. 11 Alex Pereira vs. No. 13 Jiri Prochazka (UFC 295, Nov. 11).
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Vadim Nemkov (4), Johnny Eblen (3), Patchy Mix (2), Brandon Moreno (2), Patricio Pitbull (2), Jamahal Hill (2), Robert Whittaker (2), Yaroslav Amosov (1), Magomed Ankalaev (1), Jan Blachowicz (1), Merab Dvalishvili (1), A.J. McKee (1), Belal Muhammad (1), Usman Nurmagomedov (1).
In conclusion, as we navigate the ever-shifting landscape of pound-for-pound supremacy, one thing remains certain: it’s all a matter of perspective. Whether you think Kamaru Usman should be ranked above Max Holloway is up for debate. One thing’s for sure, though – it’s all in good fun!
Have thoughts, questions, or concerns? Don’t be shy; let your voice be heard in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Makhachev
Question: Who is the new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in MMA according to the MMA Hook rankings?
Answer: According to the MMA Hook rankings, the new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in MMA is Islam Makhachev, following his impressive victory at UFC 294.
Question: Who held the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings before Islam Makhachev?
Answer: Kamaru Usman was the previous No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in MMA, as per the MMA Hook rankings.
Question: How did Islam Makhachev’s victory at UFC 294 impact the rankings?
Answer: Islam Makhachev’s victory at UFC 294 catapulted him to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, solidifying his position as the best male fighter in the world.
Question: Who are the fighters ranked immediately below Islam Makhachev in the pound-for-pound rankings?
Answer: Following Makhachev, the fighter he defeated, Alexander Volkanovski, is ranked at No. 2, and Jon Jones holds the No. 3 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Question: What was the significance of Kamaru Usman’s fall in the rankings?
Answer: Kamaru Usman’s drop in the rankings was a result of his short-notice fight against a larger opponent at UFC 294, which ended in defeat. He slipped two spots to No. 8 as a consequence.
Question: Are there any notable upcoming fights involving ranked fighters mentioned in the article?
Answer: Yes, there are two notable upcoming fights featuring ranked fighters mentioned in the article. Jon Jones is set to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 295, and Alex Pereira will take on Jiri Prochazka at the same event.
Question: How often are these pound-for-pound rankings updated?
Answer: The MMA Hook pound-for-pound rankings are updated following every UFC pay-per-view event.
Question: What criteria does the panel use to determine these pound-for-pound rankings?
Answer: The panel’s criteria for determining the pound-for-pound rankings are not explicitly mentioned in the article, but it likely involves various factors such as recent performance, title reigns, and overall skill and dominance in their respective weight classes.
Question: What is the panel’s policy regarding fighters who do not compete for an extended period?
Answer: Fighters who do not compete within 18 months of their most recent bout are removed from the rankings.
Question: How does the panel handle fighters who announce their retirement?
Answer: In the case of a fighter announcing their retirement, the panel decides whether to immediately remove that fighter from the rankings or allow them to maintain their position until further notice.
More about Makhachev
- [MMA Hook Pound-for-Pound Rankings](Link to the rankings page on MMA Hook’s website)
- [UFC 294](Link to the official UFC 294 event page)
- [Islam Makhachev](Link to Islam Makhachev’s fighter profile)
- [Kamaru Usman](Link to Kamaru Usman’s fighter profile)
- [Jon Jones](Link to Jon Jones’s fighter profile)
- [UFC 295](Link to the official UFC 295 event page)
- [Alexander Volkanovski](Link to Alexander Volkanovski’s fighter profile)
- [Khamzat Chimaev](Link to Khamzat Chimaev’s fighter profile)
- [Max Holloway](Link to Max Holloway’s fighter profile)
- [MMA Hook Staffers](Link to MMA Hook’s panel of staff members)
- [MMA Hook Rankings Policy](Link to the MMA Hook rankings policy or guidelines page)
5 comments
wow, Makhachev is da new king, no doubt! usman fall hard tho, short notice fight ain’t easy. excited for Jones vs. Miocic!
Can’t wait for Jones vs. Miocic! Pound4Pound debates never get old, that’s the beauty of it.
Rankings? always debatable, man. Makhachev kickin’ names & takin’ titles. Let the debates roll!
Volkanovski at Featherweight vs. Makhachev? weird but epic! pound4pound’s like music, everyone’s got a diff beat.
Poor Usman, short notice = rankings slide. Climbin’ back up’s tough, but champs find a way, always!