MMA pound-for-pound rankings (Oct. 2026): Natalia Silva breaks into top 5 after claiming UFC gold

Listen, Natalia Silva didn't arrive to Salt Lake City with bells and whistles, but she walked away with a scintillating gold belt. Five rounds of piecing up Wang Cong was all it took for Silva to win the vacant women's 125-pound title and to set up — potentially, hopefully — a title defense against the former two-time champ, Valentina Shevchenko.

Silva moves up in the women's pound-for-pound rankings this week, as elbow room gets tighter at the top!

The panel of Ben Fowlkes, Chuck Mindenhall, Shaheen Al-Shatti, Petesy Carroll, Drake Riggs, Eric Jackman and Conner Burks have ranked both the men's and women's pound-for-pound best, one through 10, using a weighted points system to determine the final rankings (being voted No. 1 equals 10 points, No. 2 equals nine points, down to No. 10 equaling one point). 

Our only criterion for these monthly rankings is that a fighter has competed within at least a calendar year of the publication date or has at least had a fight booked within that window. If a fighter hasn't competed in a year and books a fight after that time, he or she is once again eligible to be voted back in. Fighters who retire are no longer eligible for the rankings. 

Though most of the best fighters are currently in the UFC, these rankings are not UFC exclusive. We take into consideration all the major promotions, from PFL and RIZIN to ONE Championship and MVP or Ki MMA (when that becomes a thing).

Without further ado, here are Uncrowned's MMA pound-for-pound rankings for October 2026!  

MEN'S POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS

Chris Unger via Getty Images

1. Islam Makhachev — UFC welterweight champion (Prev: 1)

Makhachev is staring down the barrel at three figures of contention. There's the smoking-hot Carlos Prates, who looks like he'll be next for the welterweight champion. There's the oversized Michael Morales, a hulking phenom biding his time. And there's of course Shavkat Rakhmonov, who's on the mend. The word that comes to mind? Oooof.

2. Petr Yan — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)

The countdown is on for UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, and perhaps one of the unsung trilogies of the modern era. Let's face it, a lot of people think Yan caught an exhausted (and perhaps less-than-focused) Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, given that the former champ was defending his title for a fourth time in 2025. Is that way of thinking perfect for Yan to spring a trap? 

3. Alexander Volkanovski — UFC featherweight champion (Prev: 3)

Abu Dhabi will be busy with title fights on Oct. 24, with Volkanovski rolling into the desert as one of the UFC's greatest featherweights to ever do it. This defense against Movsar Evloev feels a little different, in that Evloev's most vocal advocate for a title shot was the champion himself. Will "Volk" regret that act of largesse?  

4. Joshua Van — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 4)

How quickly things move along in the men's flyweight division. One minute Van is trying to solidify himself as the division's undisputed champion against Alexandre Pantoja, the next he's being compared to Jon Jones for breaking so many records at the age of 24. Looks like it's Manel Kape next, and that's a banger!

5. Justin Gaethje — UFC lightweight champion (Prev: 5)

Nothing is official, of course, but there are positive signs that we are moving toward a Gaethje vs. Arman Tsarukyan title fight in the first quarter of 2027. Gaethje admitted as much on a podcast, saying that if he sticks around, Tsarukyan is next. That would be a win for the meritocracy.

6.Merab Dvalishvili — Former UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 6)

The good news is October is here. It's been a long 10 months for Merab, who doesn't do well with idling. Will UFC 333 see a return of the monster who tried to clean out his entire division in a calendar year? Or will the time away — as well the mental anguish of having lost his belt to an unintimidated foe — prove too much? The intrigue for this one is massive. 

7. Ilia Topuria — Former UFC lightweight champion (Prev: 7)

Topuria made some waves by accusing Gaethje of loading up his gloves when they met at the White House, right before Tsarukyan starched Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. Since then, things have settled down as everyone waits on Gaethje's decision. The most obvious fight to make is Topuria versus Paddy Pimblett, but the UFC doesn't always play the public hunches.

8.Sean Strickland — UFC middleweight champion (Prev: 8)

What's Strickland been up to? Let's check his X … oh yes, here we go: "Ive finally figured out what I'm gonna do when I retire. National guard... Full disability......" A man of sophisticated concerns! 

9. Tom Aspinall — UFC heavyweight champion (Prev: 9)

It's going to be a rough thing for Aspinall to stand by as Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight title against Josh Hokit at UFC 334, but that's where we are. Best-case scenario is that the extra time away allows the former champ's eyes to heal in full, so he can come back and reclaim what is his. Worst-case? Well, let's focus on the best-case for now …

10. Arman Tsarukyan — UFC lightweight contender (Prev: 10)

You get the sense that Tsarukyan doesn't lose sleep over Gaethje's timetable, as this is a man who knows how to keep busy. But if Tsarukyan is indeed next for the UFC title, one way or another, it'll be interesting to see what his reception will be for that chance. Hanging around N3on and Nina Drama can have a polarizing effect on a fanbase, so here's hoping Tsarukyan doesn't blow his good standing between now and his big moment! 

(Others receiving votes: Carlos Ulberg, Alexandre Pantoja, Ciryl Gane, Alex Pereira, Max Holloway, Khamzat Chimaev)

WOMEN'S POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS

Jeff Bottari via Getty Images

1. Valentina Shevchenko — Former UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 1)

It was a little odd that Shevchenko didn't loom over the festivities at UFC 332 in Salt Lake in a bigger way, given that Natalia Silva and Wang Cong were, effectively, fighting for a stolen accessory. You have to wonder if things are OK between the women's pound-for-pound queen and the UFC. The next few months will be interesting …

2. Kayla Harrison — UFC bantamweight champion (Prev: 2)

Well, Harrison has a date and location on the books, which is Nov. 14 at UFC 334, at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza (Madison Square Garden). Dana White is already chirping about her fight with Amanda Nunes being the "greatest women's MMA fight of all time," and that's not hyperbole. Harrison's credentials stack up against Nunes' so high that they become part of the New York skyline.

3.Zhang Weili — Former UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 3)

Will Zhang return to the division she once ruled and challenge Mackenzie Dern? At one point in time that might've felt inevitable, but as the hours slip off the clock it seems less and less likely. The thing is, Zhang seems to be enjoying life outside the UFC, which doesn't exactly translate to an eagerness to prove anything, but maybe she's getting ready to flip the switch. 

4. Cris Cyborg — PFL women's featherweight champion (Prev: 4)

Cyborg got tested a little bit by Ketlen Vieira in what was billed as most certainly/probably/maybe her last MMA fight. Yet before she could even make it to the exits, there she was sitting alongside her old pal Scott Coker, a celebrated "Cyborg whisperer," for the launch of the new Ki MMA. Will she return? The Magic 8 Ball this month says: "Don't doubt it."

Jeff Bottari via Getty Images

5. Natalia Silva — UFC flyweight champion (Prev: 6)

It wasn't Silva's fault that UFC 332 received so much criticism in the lead-up, and if anything, the quiet flyweight contender showed a professional hand in Saturday's main event. Or, maybe we should say professional hands, as she showed off just how fast she can throw them against Wang Cong. A fight with Shevchenko would be fascinating, and now that Silva has some experience with five rounds, here's guessing she'll be ready.

6. Dakota Ditcheva — PFL flyweight contender (Prev: 5)

It's back to that vlogging life for Ditcheva, who re-broke her hand(s) in the fight with Denise Kielholtz in June. It's been an incredibly tough go for the British star since 2024, when Ditcheva was perhaps emerging as the most compelling women's mixed martial artist on the planet. Only thing we can say is godspeed, and hope she's ready for a big return in 2027.

7. Mackenzie Dern — UFC strawweight champion (Prev: 7)

You know who enjoyed seen Natalia Silva win a title? Mackenzie Dern, that's who. She was right there cageside in Salt Lake to see it happen, and now it's her turn to get back in there for her second title defense. There are some names coming up the rungs at strawweight who might kick up a commotion — such as Fatima Kline and Denise Gomes — but a bout with Zhang Weili still feels most pressing.

8. Amanda Nunes — UFC bantamweight contender (Prev: 8)

Back in 1971, Madison Square Garden played host to Muhammad Ali's first encounter with Joe Frazier, an event billed as the "Fight of the Century." It was so big that Frank Sinatra secured a spot up close by getting a credential as a photographer. Some 55 years later, Nunes will take on Harrison in what is being billed as "The Biggest Women's Bout in MMA History." Wonder if any celebs will try to pull a Sinatra? 

9. Alexa Grasso — UFC flyweight contender (Prev: 10)

OK, Alexa, you have our attention. Dominating Manon Fiorot was one hell of an encore after leaving Maycee Barber in the land of wind and ghosts. Grasso will be in consideration for "Comeback Fighter of the Year" in a few months, if for no other reason than she looks to be on a warpath to take back all that is hers, and she'll destroy entire cities if she has to. If Shevchenko doesn't return soon, might a rematch with Natalia Silva be in the cards? 

10. Seika Izawa — Former RIZIN super atomweight champion (Prev: 9)

Izawa is on a little break as she tends to her pregnancy, which means it's a great time to catch-up on her prowess as Japan's greatest sensation. If you haven't already, go check out her highlight reel of submissions. At just 28 years old, Izawa has 10 of them compiled, including one in her final super atomweight title defense against Rena Kubota. Dynamite, it has been said, comes in small packages.

(Others receiving votes: Tatiana Suarez, Erin Blanchfield, Fatima Kline, Virna Jandiroba, Liz Carmouche)

Here's how we voted:

SHAHEEN AL-SHATTI

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev 

2. Petr Yan

3. Alexander Volkanovski

4. Justin Gaethje

5. Sean Strickland

6. Joshua Van

7. Ilia Topuria

8. Alex Pereira 

9. Arman Tsarukyan 

10. Merab Dvalishivili

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko 

2. Kayla Harrison 

3. Zhang Weili

4. Amanda Nunes

5. Cris Cyborg 

6. Seika Izawa

7. Natalia Silva 

8. Mackenzie Dern 

9. Alexa Grasso 

10. Dakota Ditcheva

CONNER BURKS

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev

2. Petr Yan

3. Alexander Volkanovski

4. Joshua Van

5. Tom Aspinall 

6. Merab Dvalishvili

7. Carlos Ulberg

8. Justin Gaethje

9. Ilia Topuria

10. Sean Strickland

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko

2. Kayla Harrison

3. Cris Cyborg

4. Zhang Weili

5. Dakota Ditcheva

6. Natalia Silva

7. Mackenzie Dern

8. Manon Fiorot 

9. Seika Izawa

10. Fatima Kline

PETESY CARROLL

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev

2. Alexander Volkanovski

3. Petr Yan

4. Sean Strickland

5. Joshua Van

6. Tom Aspinall

7. Justin Gaethje 

8. Ciryl Gane

9. Ilia Topuria  

10. Merab Dvalishvili

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko  

2. Zhang Weili

3. Kayla Harrison

4. Amanda Nunes 

5. Dakota Ditcheva

6. Cris Cyborg

7. Mackenzie Dern

8. Natalia Silva

9. Alexa Grasso

10. Erin Blanchfield

BEN FOWLKES

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev

2. Alexander Volkanovski

3. Petr Yan

4. Merab Dvalishvili

5. Tom Aspinall

6. Joshua Van

7. Justin Gaethje

8. Ilia Topuria

9. Arman Tsarukyan

10. Max Holloway

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko

2. Zhang Weili

3. Kayla Harrison

4. Cris Cyborg

5. Natalia Silva 

6. Dakota Ditcheva

7. Erin Blanchfield

8. Alexa Grasso

9. Amanda Nunes  

10. Fatima Kline

ERIC JACKMAN

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev 

2. Joshua Van

3. Petr Yan

4. Merab Dvalishvili

5. Arman Tsarukyan

6. Sean Strickland

7. Alexander Volkanovski

8. Ilia Topuria

9. Ciryl Gane

10. Khamzat Chimaev

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko 

2. Kayla Harrison 

3. Zhang Weili

4. Cris Cyborg

5. Natalia Silva 

6. Mackenzie Dern 

7. Alexa Grasso

8. Tatiana Suarez 

9. Dakota Ditcheva 

10. Erin Blanchfield

CHUCK MINDENHALL

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev

2. Alexander Volkanovski

3. Tom Aspinall

4. Joshua Van

5. Petr Yan

6. Merab Dvalishvili

7. Justin Gaethje

8. Ilia Topuria

9. Arman Tsarukyan

10. Sean Strickland

WOMEN 

1. Valentina Shevchenko  

2. Kayla Harrison

3. Zhang Weili

4. Cris Cyborg

5. Alexa Grasso

6. Dakota Ditcheva

7. Natalia Silva 

8. Amanda Nunes

9. Fatima Kline 

10. Erin Blanchfield

DRAKE RIGGS 

MEN

1. Islam Makhachev

2. Justin Gaethhe

3. Joshua Van

4. Ilia Topuria

5. Petr Yan 

6. Alexandre Pantoja

7. Alexander Volkanovski

8. Merab Dvalishvili

9. Carlos Ulberg

10. Sean Strickland

WOMEN

1. Valentina Shevchenko 

2. Seika Izawa

3. Zhang Weili

4. Cris Cyborg

5. Natalia Silva 

6. Mackenzie Dern 

7. Kayla Harrison 

8. Virna Jandiroba 

9. Liz Carmouche

10. Dakota Ditcheva