Arman Tsarukyan elevates his position in MMA divisional rankings

          Arman Tsarukyan put himself in position for a lightweight title shot with a knockout win at UFC 331. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
          • Brett OkamotoSep 22, 2026, 03:00 PM
            Close
              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
            Follow on X

          Arman Tsarukyan put on a performance at UFC 331 that makes him all but undeniable as the next challenger for the lightweight championship.

          Tsarukyan has been in this position before. In January 2025, he pulled out of a title fight because of injury one day before he was to fight for the belt. Later in the year, he was twice passed over when the UFC was booking title bouts. But Saturday's elbow to the face of Mauricio Ruffy gave Tsarukyan the impressive first-round knockout he needed to position himself as the likely first challenger of champion Justin Gaethje.

          Tsarukyan's victory also boosted him above former champion Ilia Topuria to No. 2 at lightweight in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.

          That is the only movement in the rankings, as Saturday's main event winner, men's flyweight champion Joshua Van, already was the top-ranked 125 pounder. Ex-champ Alexandre Pantoja remains at No. 2.

          Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

          Results are current; rankings as of Sept. 22. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

          HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

          LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

          MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

          WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

          LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

          FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

          MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)