With Ilia Topuria moving out of the division, the path cleared for a well-known competitor to reclaim the top position in the featherweight rankings.
At UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski delivered a classic five-round performance against a tough Diego Lopes in the main event, earning him the featherweight title for a second time. As expected, Volkanovski has returned to the No. 1 ranking globally. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has been removed from the rankings entirely, as he has stated his intention to permanently move up to the lightweight division (155 pounds).
This marks a return to form for Volkanovski, who previously held the top rank for over four years before his loss to Topuria. Now, with the title back around his waist, he faces numerous new contenders ready to challenge his reign, including the undefeated Movsar Evloev and two other fighters who secured significant victories recently in April.
Jean Silva also significantly impacted the rankings following his impressive win over Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314, extending his UFC record to 5-0. Representing Fight Nerds, the dynamic fighter controlled the stand-up exchanges before securing a crafty ninja choke submission in the second round. His performance was arguably the most talked-about of the event.
Another climber is Lerone Murphy, who entered the top 10 for the first time after his commanding victory over Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105. While perhaps not known for highlight-reel finishes, Murphy remains undefeated professionally and has secured eight consecutive wins in the UFC since a draw in his debut. With the landscape shifting, it`s plausible that Murphy could find himself in contention for a title shot in the near future.
No matter who emerges as the next challenger, Volkanovski has firmly re-established himself at the top, a position that seemed uncertain after his previous loss to Topuria just over a year ago. His successful return is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring narratives of the year, and he is clearly motivated to continue proving his dominance.
Below are the updated featherweight rankings.
Recent Results for Ranked Fighters:
#2 Alexander Volkanovski defeated #5 Diego Lopes
#8 Yair Rodriguez defeated #9 Patricio Pitbull
#13 Lerone Murphy defeated #10 Josh Emmett
Upcoming Bouts with Ranked Fighters:
#14 Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama (UFC Kansas City, April 26)
Fighters Also Receiving Votes:
Dan Ige (3 votes)
Kleber Koike (2 votes)
Calvin Kattar (1 vote)