Alexander Volkanovski has been the number-one fighter in the UFC pound-for-pound list since August 2022. The UFC Featherweight Champion is likely to come under serious pressure for that position in 2023.
Here is a look at three men who could climb to the top of the list by the time the year is out.
Jon Jones
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has held the top spot in the pound-for-pound list before. He is one of the biggest names in the history of the brand, with just one defeat coming in 28 fights in his career.
After three years out of the Octagon, Jones returns at UFC 285 when he takes on Ciryl Gane for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship. The American is the odds-on favorite at -175 in the bet on Jones vs Gane market, and should he justify favoritism, it would be a huge achievement for Bones, as a lot of his previous success has come in a lower weight division.
At the age of 35, Jones will believe he has many more years ahead of him in the sport. Stipe Miocic held the title at the age of 38 and it took a big performance from Francis Ngannou to strip the belt away from him. Whatever happens at UFC 285, Jones will be eyeing a return to the top spot in the UFC pound-for-pound list in the near future.
Islam Makhachev
In a clash of UFC champions, Islam Makhachev defeated Volkanovski at UFC 284. The UFC Lightweight Champion was given the unanimous decision following five rounds in that encounter.
They called him “best striker in the world” pic.twitter.com/NXoCFdAXor
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 20, 2023
Makhachev is second on the UFC pound-for-pound list and his latest success will have done his chances of leapfrogging Volkanovski no harm at all. His victory at UFC 284 was his 12th straight win with the brand. It was the first defense of his title, after winning the belt against Charles Oliveira back in October.
UFC chief Dana White has revealed Makhachev and Volkanovski could meet again following their thrilling opening fight. Should Makhachev prevail for the second time, that may be enough to dislodge the Australian from the top of the standings with the brand.
Leon Edwards
The reputation of British fighter Leon Edwards continues to grow in the UFC. He has beaten Nate Diaz and Kamaru Usman in his last two contests, with his latest win coming in a last-round stoppage against Usman to win the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Fresh off the presses! Your #UFC278 poster is here!
🇳🇬 @USMAN84kg vs @Leon_EdwardsMMA 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/19UhOSoJyH
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 28, 2022
No British fighter has ever held the top spot in UFC pound-for-pound list, so Edwards, who is third in the standings, would make history should he get there. He is set to appear in front of his home crowd in London at UFC 286 against Kamaru again. It will be the third time the pair have met, as the Nigerian won their first encounter in 2015.
Edwards was behind on points going into the final round of his Welterweight Championship success earlier this year, but he showed how dangerous he is when he caught his opponent with a head kick which forced a KO. If he beats Kamaru in the trilogy, expect to see him move up from third place in the standings.
It has been an excellent start to 2023 in UFC, and with lots of big events still to look forward to, this year looks set to be one of the finest yet in the brand.