The welterweight and women’s strawweight divisions were in the
spotlight this past weekend.

There isn’t anyone on Islam
Makhachev’s level at the moment. Simply put, Makhachev (29-1,
18-1 UFC) is ruling over the mixed martial arts world, scoring
successful title defenses and setting new records, including the
longest winning streak inside the Octagon, 17. When he moved up to
the 170-pound division, the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight kingpin immediately
put all the welterweights on alert by capturing the divisional
title last November.

Islam Makhachev remains No. 1 after beating Ian Garry at UFC
330

The Dagestani proved he’s there to stay by overcoming Ian Garry in
the UFC
330 main event. Sure, the Irish contender did give a fight to
Makhachev, and the champion had a few moments when he slowed his
usual fast-paced wrestling, but eventually he got a second wind in
Round 5 and took home a unanimous decision. In doing so, he
maintained the title and his No. 1 position in the 170-pound
rankings,
along with the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.

There is some movement at women’s strawweight. Weili Zhang
leaves the 115-pound division due to inactivity as the strawweight
rankings salute their new queen, Mackenzie
Dern (17-5, 12-5 UFC). There is currently no news of Zhang’s
return, and her latest fight was a failed attempt to capture the
125-pound championship. Dern scored a successful title defense at
the expense of Gillian
Robertson, landing a unanimous decision win in the UFC 330
co-main event. With Zhang dropping out, all the ranked fighters
move up a position (even Robertson, despite her loss), and we
welcome back Mizuki
Inoue at No. 15.

In some other news, No. 14 flyweight Charles
Johnson forced short-notice replacement Eduardo
Henrique to tap to a Scottish twister at 1:36 of the third
stanza in their 130-pound affair. Because the victory came above
the division, Johnson doesn’t move up in the rankings. “InnerG,”
however, did take home his second victory this year, plus an extra
$100,000 for a performance-of-the-night bonus.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

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HEAVYWEIGHT

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

MIDDLEWEIGHT

WELTERWEIGHT

LIGHTWEIGHT

FEATHERWEIGHT

BANTAMWEIGHT

FLYWEIGHT

WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT

WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT

WOMEN’S ATOMWEIGHT