Volkanovski Claims No. 2 Spot After UFC 333 Knockout

Alexander Volkanovski has moved to the number two position in the ESPN men's pound-for-pound rankings following a second-round knockout victory over Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 on Saturday. The 38-year-old UFC featherweight champion jumped five spots in the list, a move the panel credited to his decisive performance against a previously undefeated opponent. The win effectively addressed concerns about his longevity that had emerged after his earlier loss to Ilia Topuria.

The ranking shift occurred against the backdrop of a major event in the United States. Volkanovski's performance was the primary driver of his climb, but other contenders also saw their positions change. The panel noted that the Australian star is far from finished, a sentiment that helped cement his new standing behind the current number one fighter.

In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to retain his title, completing their trilogy. Yan dropped from number two to number three in the rankings, despite the victory marking a return to form after a slump between 2021 and 2023. Dvalishvili, who suffered his second consecutive loss to Yan in a competitive effort, is now tied for eighth place.

A notable change at the top of the list involved the removal of Tom Aspinall. The former UFC heavyweight champion was dropped because he has not competed in over a year. Aspinall is currently recovering from eye injuries sustained in a no-contest against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. Fighters must compete within the past 12 months or have a booked fight to remain on the board, a rule that keeps Aspinall off the list until he returns to the cage.

Islam Makhachev retains the number one spot, bolstered by a record-breaking 17th consecutive win over Ian Machado Garry. Justin Gaethje secured the number five position after a fourth-round TKO victory over Ilia Topuria, a win that gave the 37-year-old his long-sought undisputed title. Arman Tsarukyan climbed to number seven following a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy, positioning him for a potential title fight.

Ciryl Gane moved up to a tie for eighth place after defeating Alex Pereira. The heavyweight champion is scheduled to face Josh Hokit at UFC 334. Gane's resume includes bouts against the division's four biggest names, a distinction no other heavyweight has achieved.

In the women's rankings, Valentina Shevchenko remains number one despite currently being out injured. She vacated her title after a decisive victory over Zhang Weili in November 2025. Zhang Weili sits at number two, while Cris Cyborg holds the third spot following a recent submission victory. Natalia Silva is ranked fourth after capturing the UFC flyweight belt by defeating Wang Cong, and Mackenzie Dern rounds out the top five following a dominant title defense against Gillian Robertson.