As great as Jon Jones looked on Saturday in his return to the Octagon after 18 months and major surgery, the race at the top of the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings remains heated.
The 37-year-old Jones tried his best to take down former champion Stipe Miocic en route to a third-round TKO to increase his UFC record for victories in title fights to 16. The main event of UFC 309 at New York's Madison Square Garden also generated a lot of buzz about the promotion's future unification of Jones and interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall, CEO Dana White has hinted at making it the biggest fight in promotional history could.
Whether or not the Aspinall fight even happens depends on Jones' readiness and whether UFC can meet his asking price, considering Jones has done everything in his power over the last week to protect Aspinall's credibility and character reject.
But while White can't understand why anyone would pick Jones, the recognized GOAT in MMA history, as the No. 1 P4P in the game today, the details of this title defense are certainly worth considering.
The 42-year-old Miocic exited after Saturday's one-sided defeat and appeared both slow and lethargic at times, even before Jones took him down midway through the first round, elbowing him in the head for three full minutes.
As the most successful heavyweight in UFC history, thanks to two and four defenses, no one questioned Miocic's legendary status. But after a three-year layoff at his advanced age and the fact that since 2020, it's difficult to see this win for Jones on the same level as the youngest of the three men above him in the rankings rank CBS Sports P4P rankings.
his time off to good use when he brought a dynamic kicking game to the heavyweight division in his first long fight in this weight class after a quick and dominant debut against Cyril Gane in 2023 for the vacant title.
What should be celebrated here is how long Jones has been has remained at the top of the sport and how much his run at heavyweight helped establish him as the greatest fighter in the history of the sport as a two-division champion with a virtually undefeated record. But he's also no longer the top Jones of his 205-pound prime and one needs to see more evidence of him at heavyweight against top contenders – like Aspinall – to find out how good he really is at his current age.
If White has to call Jones the P4P king to ingratiate him in the hopes that Jones will give in and make the Aspinall fight, then so be it. Or maybe White doesn't really understand the voting criteria.
Jones is the best of all time and at 37 years old, he still has the potential to be a viable champion in a new division. It's just hard to put him above fighters like Islam Makhachev, Ilia Topuria and , all of whom are much more active and beat top competition.
Men's pound-for-pound rankings
1. Islam Makhachev – Lightweight Champion
Record: 26-1 | Previous ranking: #1
A narrower-than-expected win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June did nothing to knock Makhachev from the top spot in the rankings. in round 5. Makhachev's victory, which extends his streak to 14 (two shy of Anderson Silva's UFC record), also puts him in a tie for the most title defenses (3) in lightweight history. Makhachev is rumored to return in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan in January.
2. Ilia Topuria – Featherweight champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous rank: 4
A changing of the guard at the top of the 145-pound division at UFC 298 in February could have produced the sport's next star. Topuria did everything he promised against Alexander Volkanovski, including . How did the Georgian sensation top that? He was the first fighter to do it knock down and knock out Fellow P4P Max Holloway won his first 145-pound title defense in October. It's Topuria's time.
3. Alex Pereira – Light Heavyweight Champion
Record: 12-2 | Previous rank: 3
The 37-year-old Brazilian slugger is undoubtedly the most valuable fighter on the UFC roster. After saving the promotion by headlining three major cards no later than November last year, Pereira returned in October The win set a new UFC record with three title defenses in just 175 days.
4. Jon Jones – Heavyweight Champion
Record: 27-1, 1 NC | Previous rank: 4
In just his second UFC appearance in nearly five years, Jones successfully endured an 18-month layoff and recovery from chest surgery to dominate former heavyweight . While the performance was both complete and impressive for Jones, she came against a 42-year-old opponent who looked slow, hadn't fought in three years and hadn't won since 2020.
5. Dricus du Plessis – Middleweight Champion
Record: 22-2 | Previous rank: 5
What can be said about his ponderous and often harsh style of forward pressure, the South African native has achieved tremendous results in eight undefeated games in the Octagon. The reigning 185-pound champion which also includes former middleweight kings Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Simply put: DDP is on fire.
6. Merab Dvalishvili – Bantamweight champion
Record: 18-4 | Previous rank: 6
After losing his first two UFC fights, the Georgia native has put together an insane 11-fight winning streak at UFC 306 to capture the title. The cardio king neutralized and defeated the defending bantamweight king on the ground and outscored him in strikes before being forced to fend off a “Suga Show” charge in round 5. According to UFC CEO , the next undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov will be in 2025.
7. Belal Muhammad – Welterweight World Champion
Record: 24-4, 1 NC | Previous rank: 7
With an undefeated streak that reached 11 fights To win the welterweight title at UFC 304 in July, it's no longer time to doubt or undermine Mohammed's world-class abilities. At 36, the proud Palestinian-American from Chicago also became the oldest fighter to win a UFC title at 170 pounds or less. His first title defense, scheduled for UFC 310 in December, will be against the incredibly dangerous Shavkat Rakhmanov.
8. Khamzat Chimaev – Middleweight
Record: 14-0 | Previous rank: 8
The only thing that has kept Chimaev from making this , largely due to an unfortunate mix of illness and injury. But a healthy Chimaev is as dangerous as anyone in the sport, as the 30-year-old proves Destruction of Robert Whittaker in the first round at UFC 308 in October, which resulted in the former champion breaking his jaw. If anyone deserves to see the limit in the title picture cut to 185 pounds, it's the grappling savant from Chechnya.
9. Alexandre Pantoja – Flyweight World Champion
Record: 28-5 | Previous rank: 9
After relying far more on his iron will than his P4P skills to take the flyweight title from Brandon Moreno last summer, the Brazilian submission expert has since made two title defenses against Brandon Royval (in the rematch) and Steve Erceg busy. Pantoja's passion and dogged determination have become him .
10. Leon Edwards – Welterweight
Record: 21-4, 1 NC | Previous rank: 10
Fighting in his adopted home of England gave Edwards little advantage against the crisp boxing and relentless pressure of Belal Muhammad as “Rocky's” inspiring 170-pound title reign came to an end at UFC 304. Edwards blamed the early morning start time for his poor performance, although he prevailed against Muhammad toward the end of the fifth round.
Dropped out: Max Holloway
Just missed: Sean O'Malley, Tom Aspinall, Sean Strickland, Umar Nurmagomedov, Magomed Ankalaev
Women's pound-for-pound rankings
1. Valentina Shevchenko – Flyweight Champion
Record: 24-4-1 | Previous ranking: #1
The future Hall of Famer cemented her legacy even further by becoming a two-time champion in her trilogy against 306. At 36, Shevchenko defied age and one thanks to their grappling and counter punches over five rounds. A lifelong student of martial arts, Shevchenko just keeps getting better.
2. Zhang Weili – Strawweight Champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous ranking: #2
Zhang improved to 9-0 in the UFC against everyone not named Rose Namajunas at UFC 300, relying on her cardio, IQ and improved grappling after nearly scoring two early finishes. However, her toughest test may still be ahead of her, and it will come in the form of Tatiana Suarez.
3. Manon Fiorot – Flyweight
Record: 12-1 | Previous rank: 3
A five-round shutout decision over the red-hot Erin Blanchfield appears to be the final hurdle the 34-year-old French native must overcome en route to a title shot. Fiorot's takedown defense and ability to avoid threats on the ground provided the perfect foundation for her pinpoint attack. Expect Fiorot to get the first shot at Shevchenko in her second title reign at 125 pounds.
4. Kayla Harrison – Bantamweight
Record: 18-1 | Previous rank: 4
Despite an insane weight cut to 135 pounds that left her hospitalized and urinating blood just weeks before the fight, Harrison appears to have finally secured a shot at a UFC title with her October win over runner-up Ketlen Vieira. Harrison had to overcome severe swelling and bleeding after suffering a cut for the first time in her career. While Harrison will be a heavy against champion Julianna Pena, the real question is whether she can continue to make the weight in this weight class after competing at 155 pounds in the PFL.
5. Tatiana Suarez – Strawweight
Record: 10-0 | Previous rank: 5
Despite losing nearly four years of her best career due to chronic injuries, Suarez is back on the stage with great success. Her dominant submission to former champion Jessica Andrade last summer was a stark reminder of where she stands in the fight for the 115-pound title. Few can match their martial arts alone, and even fewer can match the relentless competitiveness that drives their determination. After a long break, a fight for number 1 against Virna Jandiroba is scheduled for December.
Dropped out: No
Just missed it: Alexa Grasso, Erin Blanchfield, Julianna Pena, Yan Xiaonan, Virna Jandiroba