Sports

MMA divisional rankings — How high did Erin Blanchfield’s stunning win propel her?


Erin Blanchfield entered her first UFC main event on Feb. 18 as a prospect with a future. But circumstances beyond her control would not allow that future to unfold gradually.

After initially being matched up against top-10 obstacle Taila Santos, an appropriate measuring stick for a 23-year-old fighter who aspires to reach the peak of the women’s flyweight division, Blanchfield saw her stakes and challenge change dramatically when Santos pulled out and was replaced by wrecking machine Jessica Andrade, a former strawweight champion and flyweight title challenger.

But Blanchfield passed the test in a stunning way, piecing up Andrade on the feet and standing up to her power before taking the fight to the canvas and quickly getting a rear-naked choke victory.

The win might earn Blanchfield a title shot against the winner of the March 4 fight between champion Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso. If nothing else, Blanchfield earned her entry into the ESPN women’s flyweight rankings.

For the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings, click here. For a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes, click here.

Note: Results are current; rankings as of Feb. 22.

HeavyweightLight heavyweightMiddleweightWelterweight
LightweightMen’s featherweightMen’s bantamweight
Men’s flyweightWomen’s bantamweightWomen’s flyweightStrawweight

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

1. Francis Ngannou

Promotion: None
Record: 17-3
Last: W (UD) Ciryl Gane, Jan. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


2. Ciryl Gane

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-1
Last: W (KO3) Tai Tuivasa, Sept. 3, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Jon Jones


3. Stipe Miocic

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-4
Last: L (KO2) Francis Ngannou, March 27, 2021
Next: TBD


4. Sergei Pavlovich

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-1
Last: W (KO1) Tai Tuivasa, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: April 22 vs. Curtis Blaydes


5. Curtis Blaydes

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) Tom Aspinall, July 23, 2022
Next: April 22 vs. Sergei Pavlovich


6. Tai Tuivasa

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-5
Last: L (KO1) Sergei Pavlovich, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Tom Aspinall

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: L (TKO1) Curtis Blaydes, July 23, 2022
Next: TBD


8. Serghei Spivac

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 16-3
Last: W (Sub1) Derrick Lewis, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Alexander Volkov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 35-10
Last: W (TKO1) Jairzinho Rozenstruik, June 4, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Ryan Bader

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 31-7, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO1) Fedor Emelianenko, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD


LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

1. Jiri Prochazka

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-3-1
Last: W (Sub5) Glover Teixeira, June 11, 2022
Next: TBD


2. Jamahal Hill

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 12-1, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Glover Teixeira, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Jan Blachowicz

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-9-1
Last: D (SD) Magomed Ankalaev, Dec.10, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Magomed Ankalaev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-1-1
Last: D (SD) Jan Blachowicz, Dec. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Vadim Nemkov

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 16-2, 1 NC
Last: W (UD) Corey Anderson, Nov. 18, 2022
Next: TBD


6. Aleksandar Rakic

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: L (TKO3) Jan Blachowicz, May 14, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Corey Anderson

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 16-6, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) Vadim Nemkov, Nov. 18, 2022
Next: TBD


8. Rob Wilkinson

Promotion: PFL
Record: 17-2
Last: W (TKO2) Omari Akhmedov, Nov. 25, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Nikita Krylov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-9
Last: W (UD) Volkan Oezdemir, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: Feb. 25 vs. Ryan Spann


10. Anthony Smith

Promotion: UFC
Record: 36-17
Last: L (TKO2) Magomed Ankalaev, July 30, 2022
Next: May 13 vs. Johnny Walker


MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

1. Alex Pereira

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 7-1
Last: W (TKO5) Israel Adesanya, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: April 8 vs. Israel Adesanya


2. Israel Adesanya

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-2
Last: L (TKO5) Alex Pereira, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: April 8 vs. Alex Pereira


3. Robert Whittaker

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-6
Last: W (UD) Marvin Vettori, Sept. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Marvin Vettori

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-6-1
Last: L (UD) Robert Whittaker, Sept. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Jared Cannonier

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: W (SD) Sean Strickland, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: TBD


6. Paulo Costa

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-2
Last: W (UD) Luke Rockhold, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Derek Brunson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (KO2) Jared Cannonier, Feb. 12, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Dricus du Plessis


8. Johnny Eblen

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 13-0
Last: W (UD) Anatoly Tokov, Feb. 4, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Sean Strickland

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-5
Last: W (UD) Nassourdine Imavov, Jan. 14, 2023
Next: TBD


10. Gegard Mousasi

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 49-8-2
Last: L (UD) Johnny Eblen, June 24, 2022
Next: May 12 vs. Fabian Edwards


WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

1. Leon Edwards

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 20-3, 1 NC
Last: W (KO5) Kamaru Usman, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: March 18 vs. Kamaru Usman


2. Kamaru Usman

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-2
Last: L (KO5) Leon Edwards, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: March 18 vs. Leon Edwards


3. Colby Covington

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-3
Last: W (UD) Jorge Masvidal, March 5, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Khamzat Chimaev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-0
Last: W (Sub1) Kevin Holland, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Gilbert Burns

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-5
Last: W (Sub1) Neil Magny, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: April 8 vs. Jorge Masvidal


6. Belal Muhammad

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-3, 1 NC
Last: W (TKO2) Sean Brady, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Yaroslav Amosov

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 26-0
Last: W (UD) Douglas Lima, June 11, 2021
Next: Feb. 25 vs. Logan Storley


8. Stephen Thompson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 17-6-1
Last: W (TKO4) Kevin Holland, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Geoff Neal

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4
Last: W (KO3) Vicente Luque, Aug. 6, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov


10. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-0
Last: W (Sub2) Neil Magny, June 25, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Geoff Neal


LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

1. Islam Makhachev

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-1
Last: W (UD) Alexander Volkanovski, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Charles Oliveira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 33-9, 1 NC
Last: L (Sub2) Islam Makhachev, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: May 6 vs. Beneil Dariush


3. Beneil Dariush

Promotion: UFC
Record: 22-4-1
Last: W (UD) Mateusz Gamrot, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: May 6 vs. Charles Oliveira


4. Dustin Poirier

Promotion: UFC
Record: 29-7, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub3) Michael Chandler, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Justin Gaethje

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-4
Last: L (Sub1) Charles Oliveira, May 7, 2022
Next: March 18 vs. Rafael Fiziev


6. Michael Chandler

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-8
Last: L (Sub3) Dustin Poirier, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Rafael Fiziev

Promotion: UFC
Record: 26-6
Last: W (KO5) Rafael dos Anjos, July 9, 2022
Next: March 18 vs. Justin Gaethje


8. Rafael dos Anjos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 32-14
Last: W (Sub2) Bryan Barberena, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Mateusz Gamrot

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-2, 1 NC
Last: L (UD) Beneil Dariush, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Jalin Turner


10. Arman Tsarukyan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: W (UD) Damir Ismagulov, Dec. 17, 2022
Next: TBD


MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

1. Alexander Volkanovski

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 25-2
Last: L (UD) Islam Makhachev, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Yair Rodriguez

Promotion: UFC interim champion
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: W (Sub2) Josh Emmett, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD


3. Max Holloway

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 23-7
Last: L (UD) Alexander Volkanovski, July 2, 2022
Next: April 15 vs. Arnold Allen


4. Patricio Freire

Promotion: Bellator champion
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 35-5
Last: W (UD) Kleber Koike Erbst, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Brian Ortega

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-3, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Yair Rodriguez, July 16, 2022
Next: TBD


6. A.J. McKee

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 20-1
Last: W (UD) Roberto de Souza, Dec. 31, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Josh Emmett

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-3
Last: L (Sub2) Yair Rodriguez, Feb. 11, 2023
Next: TBD


8. Arnold Allen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-1
Last: W (TKO2) Calvin Kattar, Oct. 29, 2022
Next: April 15 vs. Max Holloway


9. Calvin Kattar

Promotion: UFC
Record: 23-7
Last: L (TKO2) Arnold Allen, Oct. 29, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Giga Chikadze

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3
Last: L (UD) Calvin Kattar, Jan. 15, 2022
Next: TBD


MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Aljamain Sterling

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-3
Last: W (TKO2) TJ Dillashaw, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: May 6 vs. Henry Cejudo


2. Sean O’Malley

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-1, 1 NC
Last: W (SD) Petr Yan, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


3. Marlon Vera

Promotion: UFC
Record: 20-7-1
Last: W (KO4) Dominick Cruz, Aug. 13, 2022
Next: March 25 vs. Cory Sandhagen


4. Petr Yan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-4
Last: L (SD) Sean O’Malley, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: March 11 vs. Merab Dvalishvili


5. Merab Dvalishvili

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4
Last: W (UD) Jose Aldo, Aug. 20, 2022
Next: March 11 vs. Petr Yan


6. Cory Sandhagen

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-4
Last: W (TKO4) Song Yadong, Sept. 17, 2022
Next: March 25 vs. Marlon Vera


7. Sergio Pettis

Promotion: Bellator champion
Record: 22-5
Last: W (KO4) Kyoji Horiguchi, Dec. 3, 2021
Next: TBD


8. Rob Font

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-6
Last: L (UD) Marlon Vera, April 30, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Raufeon Stots

Promotion: Bellator
Record: 19-1
Last: W (SD) Danny Sabatello, Dec. 9, 2022
Next: April 22 vs. Patchy Mix


10. Song Yadong

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7-1, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO4) Cory Sandhagen, Sept. 17, 2022
Next: April 27 vs. Ricky Simon


MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Brandon Moreno

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 21-6-2
Last: W (TKO3) Deiveson Figueiredo, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


2. Demetrious Johnson

Promotion: One Championship champion
Record: 31-4-1
Last: W (KO4) Adriano Moraes, Aug. 26, 2022
Next: May 5 vs. Adriano Moraes


3. Deiveson Figueiredo

Promotion: UFC
Record: 21-3-1
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Kai Kara-France

Promotion: UFC
Record: 24-10, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO3) Brandon Moreno, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Adriano Moraes

Promotion: One Championship
Record: 20-4
Last: L (KO4) Demetrious Johnson, Aug. 26, 2022
Next: May 5 vs. Demetrious Johnson


6. Alexandre Pantoja

Promotion: UFC
Record: 25-5
Last: W (Sub1) Alex Perez, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Askar Askarov

Promotion: Unsigned
Record: 14-1-1
Last: L (UD) Kai Kara-France, March 26, 2022
Next: TBD


8. Brandon Royval

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6
Last: W (Sub1) Matt Schnell, May 7, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Matheus Nicolau

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-2-1
Last: W (TKO2) Matt Schnell, Dec. 3, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Rogerio Bontorin

Promotion: Unsigned
Record: 17-4, 1 NC
Last: L (SD) Brandon Royval, Jan. 15, 2022
Next: TBD


WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

1. Amanda Nunes

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 22-5
Last: W (UD) Julianna Peña, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD


2. Julianna Peña

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-5
Last: L (UD) Amanda Nunes, July 30, 2022
Next: TBD


3. Raquel Pennington

Promotion: UFC
Record: 15-8
Last: W (SD) Ketlen Vieira, Jan. 14, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Ketlen Vieira

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-3
Last: L (SD) Raquel Pennington, Jan. 14, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Holly Holm

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6
Last: L (SD) Ketlen Vieira, May 21, 2022
Next: March 25 vs. Yana Santos


6. Irene Aldana

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6
Last: W (KO3) Macy Chiasson, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Yana Santos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-6, 1 NC
Last: L (TKO1) Irene Aldana, July 10, 2021
Next: March 25 vs. Holly Holm


8. Sara McMann

Promotion: UFC
Record: 13-6
Last: W (UD) Karol Rosa, March 26, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Macy Chiasson

Promotion: UFC
Record: 8-3
Last: L (KO3) Irene Aldana, Sept. 10, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Pannie Kianzad

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-6
Last: W (UD) Lina Lansberg, April 16, 2022
Next: TBD


WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

1. Valentina Shevchenko

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-3
Last: W (SD) Taila Santos, June 11, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Alexa Grasso


2. Manon Fiorot

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 10-1
Last: W (UD) Katlyn Chookagian, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


3. Erin Blanchfield

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: Unranked
Record: 11-1
Last: W (Sub2) Jessica Andrade, Feb. 18, 2023
Next: TBD


4. Jessica Andrade

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 24-10
Last: L (Sub2) Erin Blanchfield, Feb. 18, 2023
Next: TBD


5. Katlyn Chookagian

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 18-5
Last: L (UD) Manon Fiorot, Oct. 22, 2022
Next: TBD


6. Liz Carmouche

Promotion: Bellator champ
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 18-7
Last: W (Sub2) Juliana Velasquez, Dec. 9, 2022
Next: April 21 vs. DeAnna Bennett


7. Alexa Grasso

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 15-3
Last: W (UD) Viviane Araujo, Oct. 15, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Valentina Shevchenko


8. Lauren Murphy

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 16-6
Last: L (UD) Jessica Andrade, Jan. 21, 2023
Next: TBD


9. Taila Santos

Promotion: UFC
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 19-1
Last: L (SD) Valentina Shevchenko, June 11, 2022
Next: TBD


10. Juliana Velasquez

Promotion: Bellator
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 12-2
Last: L (Sub2) Liz Carmouche, Dec. 9, 2022
Next: TBD


STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)

1. Zhang Weili

Promotion: UFC champion
Record: 23-2
Last: W (Sub2) Carla Esparza, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD


2. Carla Esparza

Promotion: UFC
Record: 19-7
Last: L (Sub2) Zhang Weili, Nov. 12, 2022
Next: TBD


3. Rose Namajunas

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-5
Last: L (SD) Carla Esparza, May 7, 2022
Next: TBD


4. Amanda Lemos

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-2-1
Last: W (TKO3) Marina Rodriguez, Nov. 5, 2022
Next: TBD


5. Marina Rodriguez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 16-2-2
Last: L (TKO3) Amanda Lemos, Nov. 5, 2022
Next: TBD


6. Yan Xiaonan

Promotion: UFC
Record: 14-3, 1 NC
Last: W (MD) Mackenzie Dern, Oct. 1, 2022
Next: TBD


7. Mackenzie Dern

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-3
Last: L (MD) Yan Xiaonan, Oct. 1, 2022
Next: TBD


8. Tecia Torres

Promotion: UFC
Record: 12-6
Last: L (SD) Mackenzie Dern, April 9, 2022
Next: TBD


9. Amanda Ribas

Promotion: UFC
Record: 11-3
Last: L (SD) Katlyn Chookagian, May 14, 2022
Next: March 4 vs. Viviane Araujo


10. Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Promotion: UFC
Record: 18-10
Last: L (Sub2) Amanda Lemos, July 16
Next: April 8 vs. Luana Pinheiro

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