UFC Rankings: Alexandre Pantoja Faces New Challenge Before UFC 301 in Alex Perez; Karine Silva Moves Up in Alexa Grasso’s Flyweight Division

There has been some movement in the rankings following UFC Vegas 91. The change has affected both male and female combatants, especially in the flyweight division. As such, 125-pound champions Alexa Grasso and Alexandre Pantoja should be aware that some potentially new challengers to their titles are on the rise.

What could you have expected from a Fight Night event after the memorable UFC 300 PPV? Well, the event made for some highlights, especially in the main event, causing yet another change in the rankings. This isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last time, and hence, let’s take a look at that front.

Alex Perez inching closer to Alexandre Pantoja

After three consecutive losses, and failing to get a single triumph inside the Octagon since 2020, Alex Perez made a thunderous return to the winning column last weekend. An event that may not have been as glamorous as the last PPV, but the 32-year-old became the focus of the MMA world after he viciously knocked out Matheus Nicolau at UFC Vegas 91.

The fight lasted just two rounds and Perez was rewarded with a change in his placement on the flyweight rankings. The Lemoore native moved past Manel Kape, Muhammad Mokaev, and his last opponent, Matheus Nicolau, to sit in the 5th spot and could very well find himself in title contention if he grabs a couple of more wins when he steps inside the octagon again. Now, let’s take a look at the shake-up in the women’s.

30-year-old Karine Silva has remained undefeated since arriving on the scene in the UFC. The Brazilian out-fought Arianne da Silva to extend her run to a 5-fight winning streak, while also putting a full stop on her opponent’s winning streak. Karine is now ranked 12th in the flyweight rankings and a few more wins could see her standing across Alexa Grasso.

There were changes made to the pound-for-pound list and now, let’s take a look at the fighters that were affected by the changes.

P4P list updated

The pound-for-pound rankings remained unchanged when it came to the top 10. However, just outside of it, a couple of fighters jumped up, including Israel Adesanya and Tom Aspinall. They moved one position above to the 11th and 12th spot, respectively, while Islam Makhachev and Jon Jones remain unchallenged. However, there was a downward movement in the rankings as well.

Arman Tsarukyan got the better of Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He managed to earn a decision win over the former champion, who has now fallen down the p4p list. Oliveira, who was in the 11th spot, is now sitting in the 13th spot. He could move back up by getting back to his winning ways.

2024 has been a year of constant changes in the UFC rankings, and without a doubt, more changes will be coming soon. What do you make of recent shake-ups? Drop your comments below.