We have a new number one! The March edition of our UFC power rankings takes place after two major events since our February rankings. Six champions fought and four belts were on the line as some shocking results wreaked havoc with the UFC betting lines.
In case you need a refresher, we’re doing these rankings not like a pound-for-pound list. Sure, we’re factoring in each fighter’s most recent wins (or losses) and the quality of their opponents and victories. But we’re also giving points to “Star Power” and “Status” or in other words: how popular they’ve been recently.
Either way, most of these fighters you’ll see as favorites or popular bets from online wagering.
Here is the March edition of our UFC Power Rankings.
Honorable Mentions
Just Missed The Cut For March UFC Power Rankings:
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- Justin Gaethje
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- Max Holloway
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- Francis Ngannou
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- Alexander Volkanovski (Featherweight Champion)
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Weili Zhang (Strawweight Champion)
10. Jon Jones
Previous: 10 (-)
Jones hangs on to the tenth spot thanks to the rest of the honorable mentions being inactive recently although a big win from Ngannou could bump him off entirely. But the former king of the light heavyweight division found a way to make headlines at the expense of recently defeated rival, Israel Adesanya.
Next Fight: TBD (possibly at heavyweight)
9. Deiveson Figueiredo (Flyweight Champion)
Previous: 9 (-)
Figueiredo is set to rematch Moreno for UFC 263 and if it’s anything close to the first, we’re in for another classic. The new flyweight champion has fought seven times since 2019 and earned three post fight bonuses, four finishes, and the excitement of fans everywhere.
Next Fight: Defending in a rematch versus Moreno (UFC 263, June 12)
8. Valentina Shevchenko (Flyweight Champion)
Previous: 8 (-)
It’s not entirely Shevchenko’s fault that she’s not as popular as she should be given how dominant she is. Maybe a trilogy fight against Amanda Nunes is in her future, but for now she gets the wrecking ball that is Jessica Andrade a month from now. If anyone can coax a Fight of the Night from Shev, it’s Andrade.
Next Fight: Defending against Jessica Andrade (UFC 261, Apr. 24)
7. Israel Adesanya (Middleweight Champion)
Previous: 3 (-4)
“Dare to be great.” With all due respect to Adesanya, moving up to fight the 205 champion in Blachowicz puts most of the risk on the champion. Sure, “Izzy” had an unbeaten record on the line, but the potential rewards far outweighed the risks. There is no shame losing to a bigger fighter and the Jones “superfight” is not entirely dead.
Next Fight: TBD (potentially defending in a rematch versus Robert Whittaker if he wins against Paulo Costa)
6. Jan Blachowicz (Light Heavyweight Champion)
Previous: 7 (+1)
“Polish Power!” comes through yet again. Blachowicz may not have knocked out Adesanya, but he decisively handed him his first MMA loss. Blachowicz defended his belt and established himself as a “true” champion. More impressively, he continues his run as an underdog king now with eight victories in his last ten fights.
Next Fight: TBD (most likely defending against Glover Teixeira)
5. Kamaru Usman (Welterweight Champion)
Previous: 6 (+1)
Usman made short work of his former training partner and friend, Gilbert Burns on UFC 258. Now with three dominant defenses to his name, Usman is slowly but surely moving up the all-time welterweight rankings. Another win ties him for third in title defenses in the division with Tyron Woodley and Pat Miletich.
Next Fight: TBD (possibly defending against Leon Edwards in a rematch if he beats Belal Muhammad “impressively”)
4. Stipe Miocic (Heavyweight Champion)
Previous: 5 (+1)
Miocic is still the “baddest man on the planet” and is quietly but rigorously preparing to put Francis Ngannou down for a second time. Doing so would further cement Miocic as the greatest heavyweight and book a “superfight” against Jones.
Next Fight: Defending against Ngannou in a rematch (UFC 260, Mar. 27)
3. Dustin Poirier
Previous: 4 (+1)
If UFC rankings or pound-for-pound lists were determined by how exciting a fighter was, Poirier would be closer to the top if not number one. The Louisianian may not have a UFC title, but he’s beaten six champions and has all but booked his place in the UFC Hall of Fame. It should be “money fights” for the remainder of “The Diamond’s” career.
Next Fight: TBD (potentially rematching Conor McGregor for the trilogy)
2. Khabib Nurmagomedov (Lightweight Champion)
Previous: 1 (-1)
He is still the UFC lightweight champion and fought less than five months ago. There is still an outside possibility that Nurmagomedov returns, but it will be nothing short of a blockbuster fight if there is one available. Keep track of the latest UFC news and rumors as Nurmagomedov will be constantly involved.
Next Fight: Unknown
1. Amanda Nunes (Bantamweight & Featherweight Champion)
Previous: 2 (+1)
The new rightful queen of this power rankings further added to her “GOAT” resume by starching the gargantuan Megan Anderson in just over two minutes. At this point, Nunes can just keep victimizing fighters or take Conor McGregor’s route and push for a cross-sport superfight against her boxing counterpart, Claressa Shields.
Next Fight: TBD (potentially defending bantamweight title against Julianna Pena)
