MMA pound-for-pound rankings, June 2025: Is Kayla Harrison the No. 1 women's fighter in the world?

Yahoo

3 hours ago

Did Saturday night feel like a coronation for Kayla Harrison, who came into her women's bantamweight title fight at UFC 316 as a historical favorite to beat Julianna Peña? It kind of did, yeah. Like a train-tossing Godzilla, we saw her coming from several city blocks away. And when she crashed through the "Venezuelan Vixen," there was a feeling that she'd been coming for that one last gold accessory all along.
Harrison's résumé might be the best going in combat sports — a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo who now has titles in the two biggest promotions around. It looks like she'll roll out the 'welcome home' mat for Amanda Nunes at some point later in 2025, but for right now she moves up a spot in this month's Uncrowned MMA pound-for-pound rankings on the women's side.
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On the men's? Let's just say that Merab Dvalishvili isn't going anywhere. His systematic destruction of Sean O'Malley in the rematch served as a reminder that he just might be the best champion going. His sport near the top of the men's pound-for-pound list is secure.
The panel of Ben Fowlkes, Chuck Mindenhall, Shaheen Al-Shatti, Petesy Carroll, Drake Riggs, Eric Jackman and Conner Burks have ranked both the men's and women's pound-for-pound best, one through 10, using a weighted points system to determine the final rankings (being voted No. 1 equals 10 points, No. 2 equals nine points, down to No. 10 equaling one point).
Our only criterion for these monthly rankings is that a fighter has competed within at least a calendar year of the publication date or has at least had a fight booked within that window. If a fighter hasn't competed in a year and books a fight after that time, he or she is once again eligible to be voted back in. Fighters who retire are no longer eligible for the rankings.
Though most of the best fighters are currently in the UFC, these rankings are not UFC exclusive. We take into consideration all the major promotions, from PFL to ONE Championship.
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Without further ado, the MMA pound-for-pound rankings for June!
Merab Dvalishvili is still the king of the bantamweights. (Elsa/Getty Images)
(Elsa via Getty Images)
MEN'S POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Islam Makhachev — UFC lightweight champion (Prev: 1)
Islam's great skedaddle from the lightweight ranks just as Ilia Topuria arrived on the scene will be a talking point until it isn't. Should he make a successful leap to welterweight to snap up Jack Della Maddalena's title later this year, the narratives crowding around the pound-for-pound best will center of GOAT talk more than anything else.
2. Ilia Topuria — UFC featherweight champion (Prev: 2)
Now that it's been made, Topuria's lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira feels too good to be an ordinary consolation prize. With Oliveira's ground game (he has a UFC record 16 submissions), there could be some intense moments through the scrambles. UFC 317 can't get here quick enough.
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3. Merab Dvalishvili — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 3)
Listen, Merab is cut from a different cloth. He knew exactly what O'Malley was working on in his training camp and it didn't faze him a lick. He went out there and shot on 'Suga' Sean whenever he felt like it. That third round was what sportscasters used to call an 'onslaught.' Looks like Cory Sandhagen is next on the conveyor belt to the buzz saw.
4. Alexandre Pantoja — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 4)
Very quietly making his claim as one of the very best fighters in the world is "The Cannibal" himself, who will anchor the co-feature spot at International Fight Week later this month. A victory over Kai Kara-France would help solidify him as one of the most dominant champions going, but the young wave (Muhammad Mokaev if he ever comes back, or Joshua Van) might have something to say.
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5. Dricus du Plessis — UFC middleweight champion (Prev: 5)
So it'll go down in Chicago this August. "DDP's" fight with Khamzat Chimaev not only strikes a serious chord of interest for fight fans, but — in this day and age of champions jumping divisions like hobos jumping trains — it feels organic. Sneakily, this is one of those fights that carries serious intrigue, if only because we've waited so long for Chimaev's coronation and … well … du Plessis is the rudest party host we've seen in a long time.
6. Tom Aspinall — UFC interim heavyweight champion (Prev: 6)
It wasn't exactly music to Aspinall's ears when he heard Dana White say he had no real knowledge of Jon Jones' tweet storm. In the latest barrage Jones indicated that the UFC can strip him of his title, no sweat. What has all this waiting been about then? Here's hoping for clarity as soon as this week, but it sure seems like Aspinall's next fight will be somebody other than we all hoped.
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7. Magomed Ankalaev — UFC light heavyweight champion (Prev: 7)
Speaking of impatient, the big Dagestani seems to be a little peeved at the waiting game he's being forced to play for the rematch with Alex Pereira. So far it's been a very quiet victory lap for Ankalaev, who's never really been one to create waves. He's said that he feels like he's still being treated as the 'challenger,' which has his nostrils flaring.
8. Jon Jones — UFC heavyweight champion (Prev: 8)
Is it exhausting waiting for Jon Jones? Shoot playa, exhausting was back in April! We're on to phases of calcification. Maybe we'll get better clarity this week, but Jones appears to be happy doing anything other than fighting Tom Aspinall, and that's problematic given that … well, each of them is still holding a heavyweight title.
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9. Francis Ngannou — PFL super fights heavyweight champion (Prev: 10)
As inevitably happens when Jones' matchmaking becomes part of a broader conversation, Ngannou's name keeps getting brought up as a potential Plan B for the UFC to consider. When asked if he would consider bringing Ngannou back, Dana White said on Saturday that it wasn't likely. Damn. It's already raining on our parade, so why not add some golf-ball sized hail, Dana!
10. Khamzat Chimaev — UFC middleweight contender (Prev: NR)
August will be an interesting time for 'Borz,' because, A) it'll represent his return to the United States, something we weren't sure could happen under different administrations, and, B) haven't we been waiting for this guy to become a champion for like a half-decade? We're all knocking on wood we can get Chimaev in one piece to Chicago for the "DDP" clash!
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(Others receiving votes: Alex Pereira, Jack Della Maddalena, Alexander Volkanovski, Arman Tsarukyan)
Kayla Harrison (right) coaxed Amanda Nunes out of retirement with her UFC 316 win. (Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
(Ed Mulholland via Getty Images)
WOMEN'S POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Zhang Weili — UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 1)
If ever there was a time for Zhang to make the move to flyweight and try to capture a second title, it's now. It's true that Virna Jandiroba is right there as a viable next defense for Zhang, and it's hard to deny her … but Valentina Shevchenko is 37 years old and coming off a huge title defense. Strike while the iron is hot, we say. The chance may never be there again.
2. Valentina Shevchenko — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 2)
The queen is alive and well, thank you, and just as cold as ever. Vegas oddsmakers made Shevchenko the betting underdog in her first title defense (of her latest title run) against Manon Fiorot. Honestly, it was the right call. Shevchenko had gone 2-1-1 in her past four fights, with one of those wins — a split decision against Taila Santos — perhaps being an act of judge's generosity. Then we all saw the reminder she served in Montreal.
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3. Kayla Harrison — UFC bantamweight contender (Prev: 4)
Harrison's sole focus was to somehow make the 135-pound limit heading into UFC 316, and as she mentioned afterward, it got a little dicey. She said she lost that last stubborn pound through divine intervention. The thing is, once she makes the weight? She's like a beast unleashed. She went right through Peña. Next up: Amanda Nunes.
4. Cris Cyborg — PFL super fights women's featherweight champion (Prev: 3)
When Donn Davis proposed a heavyweight superfight between his own Francis Ngannou and the UFC's Jon Jones, stipulating that profits could be shared by the winning fighter/organization, the first person to chime in was Cyborg. She said she wanted to fight the judo girl (Harrison). It's hard to detect tones on X, but we identified that post as 'plaintive.'
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5. Dakota Ditcheva — PFL women's 2024 flyweight tournament champion (Prev: 6)
Has Ditcheva become the single most coveted fighter that the UFC can't get? It might be the case. We've seen the Patricio Pitbull's and Patch Mix's cross over lately, but neither could create the kind of mega-buzz Ditcheva would generate. She's not just destroying whoever the PFL puts in front of her, she's begging them to find her better competition. She has that superstar glow.
6. Natalia Silva — UFC flyweight contender (Prev: 8)
There was a point in time about a decade ago when Silva was a modest 3-4-1 in her MMA career. Since then she's been a savage, with a 16-1 record, and a 13-fight win streak. She is 7-0 in the UFC, and she left little doubt of how dominant she has gotten in her latest fight against former champ Alexa Grasso. A title challenge against Shevchenko would be fun, so long as Zhang doesn't make the jump
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7. Virna Jandiroba — UFC strawweight contender (Prev: 7)
Jandiroba's come a long way from that version of herself that lost to Mackenzie Dern in 2020. Five wins in a row, with a steady escalation of competition. Her latest conquest was Yan Xiaonan, and right now it's title shot or bust because … well, Jandiroba just celebrated her 37th birthday at the end of May. The window to win a title is narrower than what might be considered optimal.
8. Larissa Pacheco — PFL featherweight contender (Prev: 9)
Trying again. Dear reader, we come to you with our hands out. Stop. We are writing to ask if you've heard from one Larissa Pacheco. Stop. We last saw her busting up Cyborg about an eon ago and — though she lost that fight — we're anxious to see her back. Stop. If you've information as to her whereabouts, would you be so good as to let us know? Stop. Most fondly, your Rankings Committee. Stop.
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9. Seika Izawa — RIZIN super atomweight champion (Prev: 10)
If Naoya Inoue is the standard for excellence in men's combat sports in Japan, then Izawa is that on the women's side. Just 27 years old, she is a dervish of harnessed primal instinct, especially when a fight hits the mats. Her finish of Lucia Apdelgarim at RIZIN 49 on New Year's Eve was her fifth submission victory in six fights. If the UFC ever introduces an atomweight division, it'll be because of the 'Supernova.'
10. Manon Fiorot — UFC strawweight contender (Prev: NR)
Look, Fiorot had her moments against Shevchenko, yet it hurt to leave Montreal without the women's 125-pound title. Sometimes you take more in a loss than you can in a victory, which is a hollow-feeling silver lining when you're 35. But, all is not lost. If she can rebound with a big win, here's guessing she won't be very far from that pole position, as she's already beaten a slew of top contenders.
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(Others receiving votes: Julianna Pena, Jasmine Jasudavicius, Raquel Pennington, Erin Blanchfield, Alexa Grasso)
Here's how we voted:
SHAHEEN AL-SHATTI
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Ilia Topuria
3. Merab Dvalishvili
4. Alexandre Pantoja
5. Dricus du Plessis
6. Magomed Ankalaev
7. Alex Pereira
8. Tom Aspinall
9. Alexander Volkanovski
10. Jack Della Maddalena
WOMEN
1. Kayla Harrison
2. Zhang Weili
3. Valentina Shevchenko
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Larissa Pacheco
6. Seika Izawa
7. Dakota Ditcheva
8. Virna Jandiroba
9. Natalia Silva
10. Jasmine Jasudavicius
CONNER BURKS
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Merab Dvalishvili
3. Ilia Topuria
4. Alexandre Pantoja
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5. Dricus Du Plessis
6. Jon Jones
7. Tom Aspinall
8. Alexander Volkanovski
9. Magomed Ankalaev
10. Khamzat Chimaev
WOMEN
1. Zhang Weili
2. Valentina Shevchenko
3. Kayla Harrison
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Dakota Ditcheva
6. Natalia Silva
7. Larissa Pacheco
8. Virna Jandiroba
9. Manon Fiorot
10. Julianna Pena
PETESY CARROLL
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Ilia Topuria
3. Merab Dvalishvili
4. Tom Aspinall
5. Alexandre Pantoja
6. Magomed Ankalaev
7. Jon Jones
8. Alex Pereira
9. Francis Ngannou
10. Dricus Du Plessis
WOMEN
1. Zhang Weili
2. Valentina Shevchenko
3. Kayla Harrison
4. Dakota Ditcheva
5. Cris Cyborg
6. Julianna Pena
7. Natalia Silva
8. Manon Fiorot
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9. Virna Jandiroba
10. Seika Izawa
BEN FOWLKES
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Ilia Topuria
3. Merab Dvalishvili
4. Alexandre Pantoja
5. Dricus Du Plessis
6. Magomed Ankalaev
7. Tom Aspinall
8. Francis Ngannou
9. Jon Jones
10. Jack Della Maddalena
WOMEN
1. Zhang Weili
2. Valentina Shevchenko
3. Kayla Harrison
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Dakota Ditcheva
6. Virna Jandiroba
7. Natalia Silva
8. Jasmine Jasudavicius
9. Manon Fiorot
10. Raquel Pennington
ERIC JACKMAN
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Ilia Topuria
3. Merab Dvalishvili
4. Khamzat Chimaev
5. Dricus du Plessis
6. Alexandre Pantoja
7. Tom Aspinall
8. Magomed Ankalaev
9. Jack Della Maddalena
10. Arman Tsarukyan
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WOMEN
1. Zhang Weili
2. Valentina Shevchenko
3. Kayla Harrison
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Virna Jandiroba
6. Natalia Silva
7. Larissa Pacheco
8. Jasmine Jasudavicius
9. Dakota Ditcheva
10. Manon Fiorot
CHUCK MINDENHALL
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
2. Merab Dvalishvili
3. Ilia Topuria
4. Tom Aspinall
5. Jon Jones
6. Magomed Ankalaev
7. Dricus du Plessis
8. Alexander Volkanovski
9. Jack Della Maddalena
10. Khamzat Chimaev
WOMEN
1. Kayla Harrison
2. Zhang Weili
3. Valentina Shevchenko
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Dakota Ditcheva
6. Manon Fiorot
7. Virna Jandiroba
8. Natalia Silva
9. Jasmine Jasudavicius
10. Erin Blanchfield
DRAKE RIGGS
MEN
1. Islam Makhachev
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2. Merab Dvalishvili
3. Ilia Topuria
4. Alexandre Pantoja
5. Dricus du Plessis
6. Tom Aspinall
7. Francis Ngannou
8. Jon Jones
9. Magomed Ankalaev
10. Jack Della Maddalena
WOMEN
1. Zhang Weili
2. Seika Izawa
3. Valentina Shevchenko
4. Cris Cyborg
5. Kayla Harrison
6. Natalia Silva
7. Virna Jandiroba
8. Larissa Pacheco
9. Dakota Ditcheva
10. Alexa Grasso