The latest and trending news from around the world.
UFC Rankings: Where Does Every Champion Stand Heading into 2023?
A Look at the UFC's Current Kingpins
The UFC is home to some of the most talented fighters in the world, and the organization's champions are among the best of the best. With 2023 just around the corner, let's take a look at where every UFC champion stands heading into the new year:
Heavyweight: Jon Jones
Jon Jones is widely considered to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, and he's still reigning supreme at heavyweight. Jones has defended his title once since moving up to heavyweight, and he's looking to add to his legacy in 2023.
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka
Jiri Prochazka is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, and he's quickly become a fan favorite. Prochazka won the light heavyweight title in 2022, and he's looking to make his first title defense in 2023.
Middleweight: Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya is one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. Adesanya has defended his middleweight title six times, and he's looking to add to his legacy in 2023.
Welterweight: Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when he knocked out Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight title in 2022. Edwards is looking to make his first title defense in 2023.
Lightweight: Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is the new lightweight champion, and he's looking to make his mark on the division. Makhachev has won 11 straight fights, and he's one of the most promising fighters in the UFC.
Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski
Alexander Volkanovski is one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, and he's looking to continue his reign at featherweight. Volkanovski has defended his title four times, and he's looking to make his fifth title defense in 2023.
Bantamweight: Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling is the bantamweight champion, and he's looking to make his first title defense in 2023. Sterling won the title in 2021, and he's looking to prove that he's the best bantamweight in the world.
Flyweight: Brandon Moreno
Brandon Moreno is the flyweight champion, and he's looking to make his second title defense in 2023. Moreno won the title in 2021, and he's looking to prove that he's the best flyweight in the world.
Women's Featherweight: Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes is the women's featherweight champion, and she's looking to make her first title defense in 2023. Nunes won the title in 2022, and she's looking to prove that she's the best women's featherweight in the world.
Women's Bantamweight: Julianna Peña
Julianna Peña is the women's bantamweight champion, and she's looking to make her first title defense in 2023. Peña won the title in 2022, and she's looking to prove that she's the best women's bantamweight in the world.
Women's Flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko is the women's flyweight champion, and she's looking to make her eighth title defense in 2023. Shevchenko has been dominant in her division, and she's looking to continue her reign in 2023.
Women's Strawweight: Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili is the women's strawweight champion, and she's looking to make her first title defense in 2023. Zhang won the title in 2022, and she's looking to prove that she's the best women's strawweight in the world.