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Almost every division in the UFC is effectively a shark tank. Being the world's premier MMA organization, the promotion houses the best talent from around the globe and puts up competitive fights week in and week out.
The UFC has around 700 fighters on its roster. These fighters are spread out over 12 weight classes. Each weight class has a champion atop the ladder, with 15 ranked fighters under him/her. The rest are unranked fighters, who have to earn their place in the top 15 of their bracket.
Over the years, as more and more fighters have joined the promotion, the divisions have gradually gotten more and more saturated with world-class talent.
That said, we thought we’d take a look at the five most stacked divisions in the UFC.
#5. UFC light heavyweight division
The UFC’s light heavyweight division has always been one of the strongest weight classes in the promotion. Legends like Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Mauricio Rua, Rashad Evans, Forrest Griffin, Quinton Jackson and Jon Jones have all plied their trade at 205 lbs.
Jon Jones ruled the division for close to a decade after winning the title in 2011. ‘Bones’ vacated the title in 2020, allowing a new wave of light heavyweights to take over the division.
Polish powerhouse Jan Blachowicz emerged as the new champion in late 2020, defeating Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 to win the vacant title. A year later, he was dethroned by MMA veteran Glover Teixeira at UFC 267. Teixeira is the reigning champion and is set to defend his title against Jiri Prochazka at some point in 2022.
Jiri Prochazka is one of the most intriguing athletes on the UFC roster. The Czech fighter accumulated a ton of experience during his time outside the promotion and finally joined the UFC as a battle-tested and seasoned fighter in 2020. His unorthodox style and staggering finishing ability makes him a potential long-reigning champion in the division.
His KO victories over former title challengers Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes have prompted fighters and fans alike to anoint him as the future of the weight class.
Not too far behind Prochazka in the light heavyweight pecking order is Dagestani phenom Magomed Ankalaev. The dominant Russian is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division and is a tough matchup for anyone he goes up against. His background in sambo wrestling, coupled with his ability to deliver highlight-reel knockouts, makes him an ominous presence at 205 lbs.
Alexander Rakic has slowly but surely built a name for himself in the light heavyweight division. The Austrian is a deadly kickboxer who has produced some sensational performances in the octagon. He has shown tremendous takedown defense to keep his fights on the feet and is arguably the best striker in the division.
Knockout artist Jamahal Hill, grappling phenom Paul Craig, Aussie star Jimmy Crute and all-round madman Johnny Walker also have the potential to climb the ranks at 205 lbs.
Additionally, reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya might be tempted to have another go at the light heavyweight strap. The future is undoubtedly bright for the division.
#4. UFC women's strawweight division
The UFC women’s strawweight division is the most competitive division in all of women’s MMA. Rose Namajunas sits atop the 115 lbs weight class and is primed to become a long-reigning champion. However, there is a litany of top talent on the rise in the division and Namajunas has her work cut out for her if she is to continue defending her belt.
Former champions Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk have both suffered losses to the reigning queen. Nevertheless, both Weili and Jędrzejczyk are among the best female fighters to have ever graced the octagon.
Jędrzejczyk won the title in 2015 and defended it five times before losing to Namajunas at UFC 217 in 2017. The Polish phenom is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with and could easily return to her best.
Weili is among the most powerful fighters in the 115 lbs division and arguably won her second fight with Namajunas, irrespective of what the judges scored their bout. Regardless, the difference in talent and ability between the Chinese powerhouse and Namajunas is minimal.
Weili and Jędrzejczyk are rumored to be squaring off at some point in 2022 in a rematch. Their first fight won the 'Fight of the Year' accolade in 2020.
Carla Esparza was the first-ever champion of the women’s strawweight division and remains an ominous presence in the weight class. ‘Cookie Monster’ is undeniably the best wrestler at 115 lbs, a strong asset in a division seemingly brimming with strikers.
Additionally, the former TUF winner has a win over the reigning champion, Rose Namajunas. The duo are set to lock horns in 2022 as well.
Brazilian kickboxer Marina Rodriguez, Chinese ace Yan Xiaonan and grappling wiz Mackenzie Dern are also on the rise at 115 lbs. The trio will more than likely enter the title picture in the coming years as they continue to improve. Keep an eye out for surging prospects like Amanda Lemos and Luana Pinheiro as well.
#3. UFC men’s featherweight division
The UFC’s featherweight division houses some of the most exciting fighters in the world. Considering almost all the fighters in the weight class are deadly strikers and lethal finishers, the matchmakers can randomly select any two opponents and we’ll have ourselves a mouth-watering matchup.
Alexander Volkanovski is the reigning champion of the division. His back-to-back wins over Max Holloway and his most recent victory over Brian Ortega have cemented the Australian’s status as the best fighter in the division. ‘The Great’ has vowed to stay champion for a long time to come and has no shortage of opponents waiting in the wings.
Max Holloway, the former king of the featherweights, is more or less on par with Alexander Volkanovski atop the division. ‘Blessed’ may have lost to his Aussie counterpart twice, but most fans are well aware that both bouts were razor-thin decisions.
Instead of angling for a third fight against Volkanovski, Holloway opted to take on rising contenders Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez in 2021, defeating them both via unanimous decision in two scintillating bouts.
The Hawaiian is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He is expected to take on Volkanovski in a trilogy bout at some point in 2022.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy Brian Ortega, Mexican kickboxer Yair Rodriguez, South Korean legend Chan Sung Jung and rising Georgian contender Giga Chikadze are all fan-favorites for their all-action styles of fighting. All four are among the elite at 145 lbs and will likely compete in championship bouts in the coming years.
Additionally, Russian phenom Zabit Magomedsharipov is expected to make his long-awaited return to the octagon at some point in 2022. Magomedsharipov is unbeaten in the UFC and is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division.
Undefeated prospects Bryce Mitchell, Movsar Evloev and Ilia Topuria are also expected to emerge as title contenders down the line. The 145 lbs division is unquestionably in a very healthy state for many years to come.
#2. UFC men’s bantamweight division
The UFC men’s bantamweight division has emerged as one of the most exciting weight classes in the sport in recent years. The 135 lbs division comprises one of the most interesting groups of fighters in the promotion.
The division has everything fans can hope for – specialists in different disciplines, young up-and-coming talents, legends of the sport and a dominant fighter atop the pecking order.
While Aljamain Sterling is the current champion of the division, the consensus opinion among fans and fighters alike is that Petr Yan is the best bantamweight in the world.
The Russian is a formidable force atop the 135 lbs ladder and is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division. ‘No Mercy’ has dominated almost every opponent he’s faced in the octagon and, at just 28 years of age, he will be a force to be reckoned with over the next decade or so.
Regardless of all the disrespect that comes his way, Aljamain Sterling is an elite competitor at 135 lbs. The American has lost just thrice in his professional career, with two of those losses coming by way of split-decision.
Former champions Dominick Cruz, T.J. Dillashaw and Jose Aldo are still fighting at the highest level despite their relatively advanced ages. All three fighters have proved in the past that they are championship caliber athletes and have what it takes to become a champion once again.
Cory Sandhagen, Rob Font, Merab Dvalishvili and Marlon Vera are mainstays in the top 10 at 135 lbs. They are as talented and durable as they come, further bolstering the depth of this insanely stacked division.
Sean O’Malley remains one of the most intriguing fighters in the bantamweight division. The polarizing kickboxing phenom has been slow-playing his career so far, but is expected to compete for championships in the coming years. O’Malley, despite being further down the pecking order at 135 lbs, is among the most popular fighters in the weight class.
Rising bantamweight Adrian Yanez, Dagestani ace Umar Nurmagomedov and Welsh star Jack Shore are also expected to break into the rankings in the near future.
#1. UFC lightweight division
The UFC’s 155 lbs division has been the home of a murderers’ row of fighters for quite some time now. The intrigue and glamor surrounding the weight class hit an all-time high during the unforgettable rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. That aura has seemingly carried over to the latest breed of UFC lightweights.
Charles Oliveira is the reigning king of the division. The Brazilian is the best finisher in UFC history, period. He owns the records for most submissions, as well as the most finishes in promotional history. ‘Do Bronx’ is riding a 10-fight winning streak and is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the world.
One of the most entertaining fighters in the world, Justin Gaethje, is expected to be the next challenger to Oliveira’s throne. ‘The Highlight’ has developed a reputation for being – as Joe Rogan puts it – "The most violent man in the most violent sport." The American has never had a boring fight.
Gaethje’s compatriots, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, are also among the most beloved fighters at 155 lbs. Both Poirier and Chandler are stand-and-bang fighters who have a propensity to engage in bloody and brutal wars in the octagon.
Dagestani prodigy Islam Makhachev is seen by many as the future of the lightweight division. Makhachev, a close friend and training partner of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is an ominous presence at 155 lbs.
Makhachev is more than likely just one win away from a shot at the title. He is expected to take on fellow lightweight Beneil Dariush in his next bout.
Former UFC champions Conor McGregor and Rafael dos Anjos, as well as former interim UFC champion Tony Ferguson, are still at large in the lightweight division. Despite their recent shortcomings, all three are extremely dangerous fighters.
McGregor, thanks to his undeniable star power, could very well compete for a championship in his very next bout.
Rafael Fiziev, Mateusz Gamrot, Arman Tsarukyan, Guram Kutateladze and Paddy Pimblett are expected to make their way into the top 10 at 155 lbs very soon. The division will undoubtedly remain the best weight class in the UFC for many years to come.
