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UFC featherweight rankings: Volkanovski keeps #1 spot after destructive UFC 290 win

RankFighterRecordLast 3 Results
#1Alexander Volkanovski26-2L-W-W
#2Max Holloway24-7W-L-W
#3Arnold Allen19-2L-W-W
#4Yair Rodriguez16-4L-W-W
#5Ilia Topuria14-0W-W-W
#6Brian Ortega15-3L-L-W
#7Josh Emmett18-4L-L-W
#8Chan Sung Jung17-7W-L-W
#9Calvin Kattar23-7L-L-W
#10Giga Chikadze14-3L-W-W

The UFC featherweight rankings are a showcase of some of the elite fighters in one of the best weight classes in the entire sport. Where the lightweight was once considered the deepest weight class in the promotion, 145 pounds has caught up and become one of the premier divisions in the MMA world leader.

With that in mind, here is the official Sportsnaut top-10 for the organization’s featherweight class.

Related: UFC tonight: Fight card, betting odds, and watch times for Saturday’s UFC event

10. Giga Chikadze (14-3)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Giga Chikadze began his UFC run on absolute fire by winning his first seven fights — three by technical knockout. He seemed primed for a title opportunity in 2022. However, in January of that year, he came up against the always-difficult challenge of Calvin Kattar and suffered his first loss inside the Octagon. That and his inactivity over the last year have led to him dropping in the UFC featherweight rankings.

  • Next fight: TBD

9. Calvin Kattar (23-7)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Kattar is one of the stiffest tests in the featherweight division, however, a recent skid has placed him in the realm of an elite gatekeeper. He has lost three of his last four and came up short in several matchups that could have established himself as an elite fighter in the weight class. He is sure to get a difficult challenge in his next appearance, but another loss — especially a spectacular one — could lead to him being out of the UFC featherweight rankings.

  • Next Fight: TBD

8. Chan Sung Jung (17-7)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: USA Today Network

Chan Sung Jung is one of the most believed fighters not just at 145 pounds but in the entire UFC. Most UFC fans know him as the “Korean Zombie” instead of his actual name. His reputation for delivering exciting fights is world-renowned but there is always risk in such a strategy. That is why he has split his last six fights. He is unlikely to ever be a champion, but he remains one of the most marketable fighters in the division.

He will make his return in August in a fight fans dream clash against division legend Max Holloway.

  • Next Fight: vs. Max Holloway on August 26

7. Josh Emmett (18-4)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Until his disappointing interim title fight loss to Yair Rodriguez in February, Josh Emmett was on the greatest run of his fighting career as he won five straight and scored big wins over Shane Burgos and Calvin Kattar. At 38, the championship clock was already ticking on “CCO.”

In his June return, he again showed his impressive toughness, but he was soundly dominated by rising star Ilia Topuria in the UFC Jacksonville main event. That likely put a final nail in his hopes of ever fighting for UFC gold.

  • Next Fight: TBD

6. Brian Ortega (15-3)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

There is no denying that Brian Ortega is one of the best fighters in the featherweight division. However, after losses to Max Holloway, Alexander Volkanvoski, and Yair Rodriguez, there are doubts he can ever be champion. Considering how inconsistent his schedule already was, one has to wonder if he will continue to fight if being a UFC titlist is highly unlikely.

  • Next Fight: TBD

5. Ilia Topuria (14-0)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After five straight wins to start his UFC career, Ilia Topuria became the new it guy in the 145-pound division. A big win over Bryce Mitchell cemented that fact last year. However, in June he got the chance to prove the hype was championship-level when he faced former interim title challenger Josh Emmett in the UFC Jacksonville main event.

In his first headliner, he dominated and sent a message that he is one of the best featherweights in the world right now. The next time he steps into the Octagon, the title could very well be on the line.

  • Next Fight: vs. TBD

4. Yair Rodriguez (16-3)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

After a period where he battled injuries and some tough losses, there was doubt if Yair Rodriguez would ever reach his potential. He quieted all the uncertainty with massive wins over Brian Ortega and Josh Emmett. The latter made him the new interim champion. He earned a chance to prove he is the best in the world when he faced Volkanovski in July at UFC 290. However, in defeat, he proved he is still a level below the division king when he lost by third-round TKO.

  • Next Fight: TBD

3. Arnold Allen (19-2)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

There are few fighters that have been better than Arnold Allen over the last eight years. His 11-fight win streak is one of the best in division history and he is now one of the United Kingdom’s top fighters. However, his title contender hopes were derailed in April. Nevertheless, he gained a lot of respect in his loss to Max Holloway and remains among the elites in the division.

  • Next Fight: TBD

2. Max Holloway (24-7)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Max Holloway is one of the greatest featherweights of all time, and to many UFC fans, he is the division GOAT. However, after a three-year run of dominance, he has permanently fallen to the position of the greatest 145-pounder not named Alexander Volkanovski after losing all three of their fights. Yet, he continues to compete at featherweight despite the fact he won’t get a title fight until “The Great” is dethroned.

In August he will make his return and face a competitor he recently pushed for a matchup with, in division star Chan Sung Jung.

1. Alexander Volkanovski (26-2)

ufc featherweight rankings
Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Alexander Volkanovski has solidified his place as the best featherweight of all time. Now, he is just adding to his legacy and trying to push himself among the greatest fighters in MMA history. He failed in his attempt at champ-champ status in February but he returned to his weight class to defend his belt for the fifth straight time at UFC 290 and made easy work of interim champ Yair Rodriguez. Adding another impressive pelt to his UFC featherweight rankings hit list.

  • Next Fight: TBD