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          MMA divisional rankings: Kavanagh, Martinez flip the script in two top 10s

          Lone'er Kavanagh turned the men's flyweight rankings topsy-turvy by defeating two-time UFC champion Brandon Moreno on Feb. 28. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
          • Brett OkamotoMar 3, 2026, 01:00 PM
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              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.
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          Lone'er Kavanagh did not win a UFC championship on Saturday night, but his clear decision victory over two-time men's flyweight titleholder Brandon Moreno shined a spotlight on the 26-year-old Englishman's fighting future. It also earned him a spot in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.

          Kavanagh, who debuts at No. 7, is one of two new entrants in the rankings, along with men's bantamweight David Martinez. The 27-year-old from Mexico earned a top-10 position by defeating Marlon Vera on Saturday in his home country. Vera dropped out of the rankings from No. 9, and Aiemann Zahabi moved up a spot.

          The only other rankings movement produced by the UFC card in Mexico City came at women's bantamweight, where Ailin Perez leapfrogged Macy Chiasson into the top 5 after beating her by decision. Perez also jumped above Yana Santos.

          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 March 3. 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)