Nov 15, 2025; New York, NY, UNITED STATES; Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) acknowledges the crowd after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Islam Makhachev Speaks Out After Reclaiming Top Pound For Pound Spot From Ilia Topuria After UFC 322!

Pound-for-pound rankings spark endless debates among MMA fans constantly. Who deserves the top spot changes with every major card. Some believe championship defenses matter most when evaluating greatness. Others prioritize dominance and finishing ability over longevity at the top. The UFC’s official rankings committee adjusts these lists after significant events. And Islam Makhachev just reclaimed the top spot again!

Ilia Topuria held the number one position before UFC 322 this past weekend. The lightweight champion earned that spot through an impressive knockout victory at UFC 317. But Makhachev had other plans. The Russian moved up to welterweight and dominated Jack Della Maddalena completely. His performance was so convincing that the rankings committee had no choice.

Islam Makhachev Reacts To Being Back On Top

Makhachev (28-1)didn’t just win the welterweight championship last weekend. He climbed back to the summit of the pound-for-pound rankings simultaneously. The former lightweight and current welterweight king looked absolutely flawless in his divisional debut. Any questions about his ability at 170 pounds got answered. He controlled Della Maddalena for five complete rounds without breaking a sweat. 3 days after the fight, Makhachev posted a picture on his Instagram with the message that showed his personality perfectly.

“A bit of a perfectionist – I love it when everything is in its place.”

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A post shared by Islam_Makhachev (@islam_makhachev)

That’s about as cocky as Makhachev gets publicly honestly. He rarely trash talks opponents or celebrates achievements obnoxiously. The Dagestani fighter lets his performances speak louder than words. His Instagram post acknowledged the ranking without making it his entire identity.

This victory against Della Maddalena made Makhachev the UFC’s 11th two-division champion in history. It also extended his winning streak to 16 consecutive fights. That ties Anderson Silva’s all-time UFC record for longest win streak. His resume continues building toward all-time great status with each performance.

The pound-for-pound rankings update reflected his dominance immediately after the event. Makhachev jumped from second place back to the top spot. Topuria dropped down to number two. Merab Dvalishvili sits at third while Khamzat Chimaev holds fourth position. Alexandre Pantoja rounds out the top five with Alex Pereira right behind.

Makhachev can enjoy being recognized as the best fighter alive. His complete dominance across two divisions speaks for itself really. The pound-for-pound debate will continue raging among fans regardless. But the UFC’s official rankings currently favor the Russian’s incredible run. Topuria will need another spectacular performance to reclaim that top spot.

(Image Credit: Ed Mulholland – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

UFC 322

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!