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1
- Jon Jones
- "Bones"
- 27-1-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Ciryl Gane via Guillotine Choke
One of the greatest of all time, Jones has seen his spot at the top of the sport fade after multiple issues with failed drug tests.
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2
- Sergei Pavlovich
- 18-2-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Curtis Blaydes via Punches to Ground and Pound
A greco roman wrestler with a masters of sport in army hand to hand combat, Pavlovich has a strong base for both grappling and striking. An oddity in the division, Pavlovich looks like a professional fighter with over a dozen fights when he steps into the ring despite his young age and record. Pavlovich is fast and technical on the feet, utilizing a variety of kicks, jabs, and winging punches to overwhelm his opponents. His ground game is suffocating, and his ability to generate power from odd angles and positions allows him to do damage regardless of where the fight goes.
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3
- Curtis Blaydes
- "Razor"
- 18-4-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Sergei Pavlovich via Punches to Ground and Pound
Undefeated as a high school wrestler with perfect 44-0 record his senior year, Blaydes captured a state title before heading to college on a wrestling scholarship. Blaydes would go on to win the NJCAA National Championship before quitting wrestling for MMA. His punching power makes him a competent standup fighter but his top game is where he really shines.
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4
- Ciryl Gane
- "Bon Gamin"
- 12-2-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Jon Jones via Guillotine Choke
A powerful heavyweight from France, Gane is one of the hottest prospects in MMA.
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5
- Tom Aspinall
- 14-3-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Curtis Blaydes via Knee Injury
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6
- Alexander Volkov
- "Drago"
- 37-10-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Alexandr Romanov via Punches from Back Control
A striker with a background in a variety of Karate forms, Volkov captured heavyweight titles in Bellator and M-1 before signing with the UFC.
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7
- Jailton Almeida
- "Malhadinho"
- 21-3-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik via Rear Naked Choke
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8
- Francis NGannou
- "The Predator"
- 17-3-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Ciryl Gane via Unanimous Decision
An incredible athlete, Ngannou has the mobility and reflexes of a middleweight. He is highly regarded as the next potential UFC Heavyweight champ after an impressive streak of finishes that saw him score an impressive first round KO over former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski. He has the highest punching power ever recorded for an MMA fighter.
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9
- Serghei Spivac
- "Polar Bear"
- 16-4-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Derrick Lewis via Arm Triangle Choke
An impressive heavyweight out of Russia, Spivak is a finisher that has finishing ability in every phase of the game.
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10
- Tai Tuivasa
- "Bam Bam"
- 14-7-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Sergei Pavlovich via Punches
A protege of Mark Hunt, Tuivasa has massive punching power and big knees. Tuivasa has an iron chin and has shown above average takedown defense but his conditioning has been an issue in the past.
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11
- Stipe Miocic
- 20-4-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Francis Ngannou via Left Hook
Originally a wrestler, Miocic passed on a chance to play minor league baseball to wrestle in college. Nationally ranked in Division 1 at 197 pounds, Miocic uses his wrestling base to keep the fight standing and employ his newly developed striking. Miocic mixes powerful punches with improving kicks and defense.
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12
- Marcin Tybura
- "Tybur" | 25-8-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Blagoy Ivanov via Unanimous Decision
A BJJ Black Belt, Tybura is one of Poland's top fighters. Tybura is not the most athletic but he has added a polished striking game to complement his top game. He is brutal in the clinch and dangerous from all positions on the ground. The beatings he's administered have forced three opponents to quit on their stool.
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13
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- "Bigi Boy" | 14-5-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Jailton Almeida via Rear Naked Choke
A former kickboxer whose record included 80 wins with 64 knockouts, Jair Rozenstruik has now turned his focus to MMA.
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14
- Derrick Lewis
- "The Black Beast" | 28-12-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Serghei Spivac via Arm Triangle Choke
An example of the positive influence mixed martial arts can have, Lewis used his drive to become a fighter to turn his life around after spendng some time in prison. He has shown to have one of the biggest hearts in MMA, coming from behind to finish Travis Browne. Lewis loves to swang and bang as he would say, The Black Beast is always looking for the KO. He also provides the MMA community with some of the most entertaining post fight interviews.
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15
- Alexandr Romanov
- "King Kong" | 17-3-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Blagoy Ivanov via Unanimous Decision
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16
- Ryan Bader
- "Darth" | 31-8-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Fedor Emelianenko via Ground and Pound
The winner of TUF, Bader is multi-time All American wrestler. A gifted athlete, Bader is one of the better prospects to come out of TUF in years. His large size and athleticism complements a stifling top game and surprisingly good standup.
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17
- Marcos Rogério de Lima
- "Pezão" | 22-9-1
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta via Unanimous Decision
After over 70 Muay Thai fights, Pezao opted to try his hand at MMA. In only his 8th pro fight, Pezao topped former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho.
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18
- Augusto Sakai
- 16-6-1
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Don'Tale Mayes via Unanimous Decision
Sakai is the grandson of Japanese immigrants to Brazil and he works at an aquarium between fights.
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19
- Linton Vassell
- "The Big Swarm" | 24-9-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Valentin Moldavsky via Elbows from Mount
With Jimi Manuwa signing for UFC, Vassell became the UK's #1 domestic Light Heavyweight. A powerful outside boxer with excellent hand speed, Vassell is actually known more for his huge slams and wrestling.
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20
- Blagoy Ivanov
- "Baga" | 19-7-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Alexandr Romanov via Unanimous Decision
Ivanov became a novelty in the MMA world when word came that the Bulgarian had handed Fedor Emelianenko his first defeat in combat sambo in years.
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21
- Andrei Arlovski
- "The Pitbull" | 34-23-0, 2 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Don'Tale Mayes via Right Hook to Ground Strikes
A former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Arlovski eventualy lost his belt to Tim Sylvia. After a great deal of hype from signing with Affliction, Arlovski had Fedor Emelianenko on the ropes before getting KO'ed after an ill-advised flying knee attempt.
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22
- Rodrigo Nascimento
- "Zé Colmeia" | 11-2-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Ilir Latifi via Split Decision
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23
- Anatoly Malykhin
- "Spartak" | 14-0-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Arjan Bhullar via Ground and Pound
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24
- Ante Delija
- "Walking Trouble" | 24-6-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Maurice Greene via Unanimous Decision
Delija has experienced ups and downs, and perhaps his only saving grace is his age and ability to improve, whereas an older fighter may see his limit in sight. Delija combines a strong and sometimes wild striking game with brutal top control. Recent fights and a new training camp have given Delija a second breath, as evidenced by his much improved wrestling and submission defense. If Delija can continue to eliminate flaws from his game, he will undoubtedly find a place amongst the heavyweight elite.
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25
- Chris Daukaus
- 12-7-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik via Punches
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26
- Phil De Fries
- 25-6-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Szymon Bajor via Rear Naked Choke
An oddity in British MMA, De Fries is a heavyweight fighter that relies on his BJJ instead of the brawling that dominates the larger fighters that reside in the UK. He is a BJJ purple belt under Rodrigo Cabral.
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27
- Ilir Latifi
- "The Sledgehammer" | 16-9-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Rodrigo Nascimento via Split Decision
A stocky powerhouse with a background in wrestling, Latifi won the ADCC European trials in 2004 and 2005, and made it to the ADCC finals in 2009 where he lost in the first round to Xande Ribeiro. His first pro fight, a bout with Blagoi Ivanov, ended in a No Contest when the ring collapsed.
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28
- Valentin Moldavsky
- 13-3-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Linton Vassell via Elbows from Mount
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29
- Don'Tale Mayes
- "Lord Kong" | 11-6-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Andrei Arlovski via Right Hook to Ground Strikes
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30
- Cheick Kongo
- "The Darkness" | 31-12-2, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Ryan Bader via Unanimous Decision
A powerful striker with an evolving top game, Kongo has had some good wins in the UFC but has yet to break into the top of the Heavyweight Division.
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31
- Denis Goltsov
- "The Russian Bogatyr" | 33-8-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Yorgan De Castro via Punch
An accomplished striker and opportunistic grappler, Goltsov had a rough start to his career, earning 3 submission losses and a TKO to fellow heavyweight Alexander Volkov. Goltsov stands at a very lean 6'5, however despite his thinner frame, he carries explosive one punch knockout power. Goltsov has recently proven his losses were simply growing pains, and has compiled an impressive resume of wins over veterans and prospects alike.
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32
- Shamil Abdurakhimov
- "Abrek" | 20-8-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Jailton Almeida via Ground and Pound
A strong, diverse striker that has wins over Sokoudjou and Jeff Monson, Shamil has dangerous ground and pound from top control but struggles off his back.
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33
- Martin Buday
- "Badys" | 13-2-0
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Jake Collier via Unanimous Decision
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34
- Bruno Cappelozza
- 15-7-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: NC vs Matheus Scheffel via Punches
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35
- Aleksei Oleinik
- "The Boa Constrictor" | 61-18-1
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Loss vs Ilir Latifi via Unanimous Decision
Ukranian born Russian MMA artist. Known for being the first fighter to win a UFC fight via Ezekiel choke, and has now done so twice. Oleynik also holds the record for most Ezekiel choke wins in MMA competition, with twelve.
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36
- Tyrell Fortune
- 13-2-0, 2 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: Win vs Sergey Bilostenniy via Punches to the Back of the Head
Fortune currently trains out of Arizona Combat Sports and is a member of the U.S. national wrestling team. The Portland native is a former NCAA Division II champion at Grand Canyon University in Arizona and was named the 2013 Division II wrestler of the year. Fortune was also a two-time NJCAA champion at Clackamas Community College.
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37
- Justin Tafa
- "Bad Man" | 7-4-0, 1 NC
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Ranking Change: N/A
Last Fight: NC vs Austen Lane via Eye Poke