Undisputed lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev can finally call himself the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the UFC’s books today, after a latest rankings update after UFC Sao Paulo has saw the Russin leapfrog heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, who is out of action due to injury, atop the summit.
Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 294 back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE, landing a first round high-kick knockout win over featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s short-notice rematch.
Initially scheduled to headline the flagship return to the Middle East in another rematch against former lightweight titleholder, Charles Oliveira, Makhachev saw the pairing axed after the Brazilian suffered a nasty laceration above his right eye – forcing him from the championship bout.