Merab Dvalishvili has taken himself out of the running when it comes to ranking the top UFC fighters pound-for-pound. Recently, the UFC pound-for-pound rankings were dominated by new champions such as Ilia Topuria, Dorikas du Plessis, and Daryshvili, with Islam Makhachev holding the top spot. However, not everyone agrees with the current rankings. Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, who was ranked ninth before his latest title defense, remains out of the top spots. Following Pantoja’s recent title win, Makhachev is still regarded as number one, Topuria second, and Dvalishvili third in the official rankings.
Dvalishvili has expressed a different personal ranking, where he places Ilia Topuria as the best pound-for-pound fighter due to his undefeated streak and impressive victories at multiple weight classes, including his recent knockout of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. On the Ariel Helwani show, Dvalishvili admitted that Topuria should be number one, followed by Makhachev as number two, and Pantoja third, putting himself fourth. He emphasized his humility not to underestimate any opponents.
Fans have praised Dvalishvili’s honesty and agree with his ranking, with many believing that this is an accurate reflection of the current landscape. As for Dvalishvili himself, he is gearing up for his next fight in the latter part of the year, reportedly targeting a match against Cory Sandhagen, ranked number four in his division. Dvalishvili’s recent success includes defending his title in high-profile matches and being considered one of the greatest bantamweights in history.
Fan Take: Merab Dvalishvili’s humble approach to the pound-for-pound rankings resonates with fight fans who value respect and realistic self-assessment in the sport. His acknowledgment of Topuria’s dominance and readiness to face top contenders like Sandhagen keeps fans excited for what’s next in the bantamweight division and beyond.
