Official Meta UFC Flyweight Rankings

1. Biography: From Chin State to Global UFC Supremacy

Born Joshua Van Bawi Thang in Hakha, Chin State, Myanmar, Van relocated with his family to Malaysia before immigrating to Houston, Texas, at age twelve. Beginning his mixed martial arts training at 4oz. Fight Club, Van quickly built a reputation across the Texas regional circuit as the Fury FC Flyweight Champion. Entering the UFC in 2023, he mounted an electric rise that culminated in him becoming the first fighter born in Myanmar and the first male UFC champion born in the 2000s.

2. Fighting Style: High-Volume Output & Relentless Combinations

Van represents one of the most prolific offensive volume punchers in flyweight history, landing an extraordinary 8.26 significant strikes per minute. Operating out of an orthodox stance with relentless forward pressure, Van works behind crisp lead hooks, digging liver blows, and inside leg kicks. In his UFC 317 showdown against Brandon Royval, Van broke promotional records by landing 419 significant strikes across three rounds, demonstrating unmatched cardiovascular pacing.

3. Championship Reign: Dethroning Pantoja & Dominant Defenses

At UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, Van captured the Undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship by defeating Alexandre Pantoja via first-round technical knockout in just 26 seconds. In his first title defense at UFC 328, Van survived early adversity against Tatsuro Taira before scoring a fifth-round TKO via body kick and punches. He solidified his reign at UFC 331 on September 19, 2026, defeating Pantoja in their five-round championship rematch by unanimous decision.

4. Joshua Van Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Angolan Roots to Japanese & Octagon Stardom

Born Manuel Pedro Gomes in Luanda, Angola, Kape relocated to Portugal as a child before finding mixed martial arts at age sixteen. Making his professional debut in 2012, Kape rose to international stardom in Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation, knocking out Kai Asakura to capture the Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Transitioning to the UFC’s 125-pound division, Kape established himself as the most explosive knockout threat in the weight class.

2. Fighting Style: Feint-Heavy Counter-Striking & Explosive Power

Kape utilizes an elusive southpaw and switch stance, incorporating shoulder rolls, low hand positioning, and sudden explosive forward blitzes. Possessing one-shot knockout power uncommon at 125 pounds, his straight left cross, flying knees, and lead right hooks punish opponents who lunge forward. Defensively, his 80% takedown defense and scrambles allow him to keep fights on the feet where his precision striking dominates.

3. Road to the #1 Ranking: Slaying Almabayev, Royval & Horiguchi

Kape mounted an unstoppable surge toward the number-one contender spot throughout 2025 and 2026. After stopping Asu Almabayev via third-round TKO in March 2025, Kape knocked out former title challenger Brandon Royval at 3:18 of Round 1 in December 2025. On June 20, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 278, Kape earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus by finishing promotional returnee Kyoji Horiguchi via third-round TKO, securing the division’s top ranking.

4. Manel Kape Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Arraial do Cabo to Flyweight World Champion

Raised by a single mother in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Alexandre Pantoja Passidomo worked odd jobs and delivery routes to fund his training before rising to become the Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Shooto Brazil Champion. Competing on Season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter, Pantoja entered the UFC in 2017 and steadily climbed to become one of the most dominant and respected flyweight champions in promotional history.

2. Fighting Style: Savage Pressure & Masterful Back Takes

Pantoja earned the moniker “The Cannibal” through his fearless, forward-marching brawling style and suffocating submission grappling. Throwing heavy overhand rights, inside calf kicks, and flying knees, he invites chaotic pocket exchanges before seamlessly climbing an adversary’s back. Holding a 2nd-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, his rear-naked choke transitions and body-triangle control are the gold standard of the 125-pound division.

3. Historical Impact: Three Title Defenses & Championship Legacy

Pantoja captured the Undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 290 by outpointing Brandon Moreno in the 2023 Fight of the Year. He defended his belt against Brandon Royval at UFC 296, Steve Erceg at UFC 301, and submitted former Rizin champion Kai Asakura at UFC 310. After submitting Kai Kara-France at UFC 317, Pantoja dropped the belt to Joshua Van due to an arm injury at UFC 323, returning to push Van to the final bell across five rounds in their UFC 331 rematch.

4. Alexandre Pantoja Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Denver Juvenile Center Worker to Octagon Action Hero

Brandon Matthew Royval was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, beginning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai at age fifteen. While rising through the regional ranks and capturing the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) Flyweight Championship, Royval worked a full-time job in a juvenile justice center until scoring back-to-back submission finishes upon entering the UFC. Training under Marc Montoya at Factory X, Royval evolved into the division’s premier high-pace action fighter.

2. Fighting Style: Organized Chaos, Flying Knees & Guillotine Traps

Royval weaponizes an unyielding, high-pace pressure style characterized by constant movement, spinning elbows, jumping switch-knees, and scrambles. Operating out of a southpaw stance, he invites pocket brawls where his transitional submission grappling takes over. Holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mario “Busy” Correa, Royval is lethal at snatching guillotines and triangle chokes in mid-scramble.

3. Historical Impact: Six FOTN Honors & The 2025 Strike Record War

Holding the all-time UFC Flyweight record for most Fight of the Night bonuses (6), Royval has headlined multiple milestone wars. After defeating former champion Brandon Moreno in Mexico City and turning back undefeated phenom Tatsuro Taira over five rounds, Royval engaged Joshua Van at UFC 317 in June 2025. The pairing produced the consensus 2025 Fight of the Year, combining for 419 significant strikes landed—the most in three-round flyweight history.

4. Brandon Royval Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Okinawan Prodigy to Shooto Champion

Born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, Tatsuro Taira joined The Blackbelt Japan during his first year of high school under former Shooto featherweight champion Ryota Matsune. Taira stormed through the Japanese circuit, compiling an undefeated 10-0 record to capture the Shooto Flyweight Championship. Entering the UFC in 2022, Taira became the first fighter born in the 2000s to headline a UFC event.

2. Fighting Style: Positional Grappling, Body Triangles & Precision Trips

Taira possesses one of the most smothering ground control games in lower-weight history, spending 52.1% of his Octagon fight time in dominant control positions. Utilizing inside leg trips, single-leg entries, and level-changes, he drags opponents to the canvas and immediately secures a high body triangle. From the back, his transitional threat flows seamlessly between rear-naked chokes, neck cranks, and heavy ground strikes.

3. Title Contention: Finishing Moreno & The UFC 328 Title Bout

After stopping former title challenger Alex Perez via second-round knee-injury TKO and submitting Park Hyun-sung, Taira scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, knocking out two-time champion Brandon Moreno at 2:24 of Round 2. Taira challenged champion Joshua Van for the Undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, pushing Van to the deep waters of the fifth round in a classic title war that earned Fight of the Night honors.

4. Tatsuro Taira Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Kazakh Steppe Roots to Almaty DAR Pro Team

Asu Abaiuly Almabayev was raised in the village of Janatalap in the Sarysu District of Kazakhstan. Moving to Almaty as a youth, Almabayev worked in local trade bazaars until age twenty-three to support his family while dedicating his nights to national combat sports. Becoming a champion in M-1 Global, Naiza FC, and Brave Combat Federation, Almabayev brought Kazakh wrestling pedigree to the UFC flyweight division.

2. Fighting Style: High-Amplitude Chain Wrestling & Suloev Stretch

Almabayev pairs relentless blast double-leg and high-crotch takedowns with suffocating top position. Operating with heavy hips and tight wrist control, he shuts down scrambles along the fence before hunting opportunistic submission locks. In addition to his rear-naked chokes and guillotines, Almabayev executed one of the rarest finishes in mixed martial arts history at UFC Fight Night in Baku, tapping Charles Johnson with a third-round Suloev stretch kneebar.

3. Path to the Top 5: Stoppages Over Perez & Johnson

Rebounding from a battle against Manel Kape in early 2025, Almabayev surged into the divisional elite by defeating Jose Ochoa, submitting former title challenger Alex Perez via guillotine choke in Qatar, and finishing Charles Johnson via Suloev stretch to claim a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. With seven promotional victories, Almabayev secured the #5 world ranking and a high-stakes booking against Kyoji Horiguchi.

4. Asu Almabayev Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: London Roots to Great Britain Top Team Flagship

Born in London, England, of Chinese and Irish descent, Lone’er Kavanagh was named “Dragon Son” by his mother. Holding a university degree in sports science and working as a personal trainer, Kavanagh began kickboxing in his youth before transitioning to mixed martial arts under UFC pioneer Brad Pickett at Great Britain Top Team. After an undefeated 6-0 run through Cage Warriors, Kavanagh earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8 with a highlight-reel knockout of An Tuan Ho.

2. Fighting Style: Dynamic Dutch Kickboxing & Scramble Grappling

Kavanagh blends blistering hand speed with diverse kicking mechanics. Holding a black belt in kickboxing, he shifts stances seamlessly to fire spinning back kicks, snapping high roundhouses, and clean right hands. Supported by a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kavanagh has demonstrated rapid defensive maturation on the ground, utilizing reactive level-changes, fence frames, and opportunist back-takes to counter aggressive wrestlers.

3. Meteoric Ascent: Slaying Moreno in Mexico City & Submitting Royval

In 2026, Kavanagh authored one of the fastest rises in flyweight history. Stepping up on short notice to replace Asu Almabayev at UFC Fight Night 268 in Mexico City, Kavanagh dismantled former two-time champion Brandon Moreno over five rounds to win a unanimous decision and a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He followed this at UFC 329 by choking out perennial title challenger Brandon Royval via third-round rear-naked choke, securing a $100,000 Fight of the Night honor and cementing his position at #6 in the world.

4. Lone’er Kavanagh Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Uzbek Military Combat Sport Heritage to Muradov Team

Ramazanbek Yuldosh o’g’li Temirov was raised in Qarshi, Uzbekistan, beginning hand-to-hand combat and karate at age nine. In 2017, he captured the Asian Championship in hand-to-hand combat before turning professional in mixed martial arts. After destructive first-round knockout performances across Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation, Temirov joined the Muradov Legion Team under head coach Jasur Alijanov, transitioning to the UFC in late 2024.

2. Fighting Style: Explosive Pocket Striking & Heavy Right Hand

Temirov fights with ferocious forward aggression and compact boxing fundamentals. Despite a 63-inch reach, he slips underneath taller opponents’ jabs to deliver concussive overhand rights and digging left hooks to the liver. Anchored by his traditional combat base, Temirov maintains an impenetrable takedown defense, stuffing shots along the fence to force opponents into fire-fights in the pocket.

3. Historical Impact: Slaying Steve Erceg & Flyweight Top-10 Arrival

Temirov announced his arrival at UFC Fight Night 244 with a first-round TKO of C.J. Vergara to claim Performance of the Night honors, followed by a decision victory over Charles Johnson. In July 2026 at UFC Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi, Temirov scored the most decisive victory of his career, knocking out former title challenger Steve Erceg at 4:21 of Round 1 to earn another Performance of the Night bonus and climb to #7 in the official rankings.

4. Ramazan Temirov Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Norifumi Yamamoto Disciple to Global Triple Champion

Kyoji Horiguchi was born in Takasaki, Gunma, Japan, studying Shotokan Karate from age five before joining Krazy Bee under Japanese MMA icon Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto. Capturing the Shooto Bantamweight Championship, Horiguchi competed for the UFC title against Demetrious Johnson in 2015 before embarking on a historic international tour: winning the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix, capturing the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship, and claiming the Inaugural Rizin Flyweight Championship before making his triumphant UFC return in 2025.

2. Fighting Style: Shotokan In-and-Out Footwork & Blitz Mechanics

Horiguchi is one of the premier karate-style mixed martial artists in combat history. Utilizing a wide, bladed stance with bouncy in-and-out footwork, he darts into range with blistering straight rights (gyaku-tsuki), lead hooks, and low calf kicks before slipping cleanly out of pocket exchanges. At American Top Team under Mike Brown, Horiguchi added elite folkstyle wrestling rides and opportunistic rear-naked choke mechanics to complete his world-class arsenal.

3. Historical Impact: Slaying Ulanbekov in Qatar & Outpointing Albazi

Returning to the UFC in late 2025 after a nine-year absence, Horiguchi submitted top contender Tagir Ulanbekov via third-round rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 265 in Qatar, claiming a Performance of the Night bonus. In February 2026, he delivered a vintage five-round masterclass to outpoint #9 ranked Amir Albazi at UFC Fight Night 266, proving his elite championship standing across four separate decades.

4. Kyoji Horiguchi Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: From War-Torn Baghdad to London Combat Pioneer

Amir Yahya Abdulmir Al-Bazi was born in Baghdad, Iraq, fleeing the country at age seven during the Persian Gulf conflict. Resettling in Syria before immigrating to Stockholm, Sweden, Albazi discovered combat sports through television broadcasts. Relocating to London to graduate with a degree in sports science from the University of Roehampton, Albazi captured championships across the European circuit before entering the UFC as the premier Iraqi mixed martial artist in global history.

2. Fighting Style: Positional Control & Precision Counter Hooks

Albazi operates behind methodical, patient forward movement. Utilizing a compact high guard, he slips inside jabs to land heavy counter right hands and lead left hooks. His true weapon lies in his grappling transition: timing reactive double-leg takedowns, Albazi aggressively attacks the neck, threatening tight guillotine and rear-naked chokes while shutting down opposing get-up attempts with heavy top pressure.

3. Contender Standing: The Kara-France Win & Main Event Battles

Albazi established his championship pedigree in June 2023 by outpointing former interim title challenger Kai Kara-France over five rounds in his first UFC main event. Despite navigating serious neck and heart surgeries that sidelined him for over a year, Albazi went on to test himself across 25-minute headline battles against former two-time champion Brandon Moreno and Japanese legend Kyoji Horiguchi, solidifying his fixture among the divisional top 10.

4. Amir Albazi Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Tijuana Roots to Mexico’s First Undisputed Champion

Brandon Moreno Carrillo was born in Tijuana, Mexico, entering Entram Gym at age twelve. Competing on Season 25 of The Ultimate Fighter as the lowest-seeded flyweight, Moreno fought through release from the promotion in 2018, captured the LFA Flyweight Championship, and returned to author one of the most celebrated redemption arcs in mixed martial arts history, becoming the first Mexican-born champion in UFC history.

2. Fighting Style: Rapid Jab Sequences & Scramble Grappling

Moreno combines boxing combinations with opportunistic submission scrambles. Utilizing a snapping lead jab, tight counter left hooks, and low calf kicks, he changes tempo to disrupt aggressive punchers. Holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Raúl Arvizu, Moreno thrives in ground transitions, repeatedly rolling out of takedown attempts to take opponents’ backs and lock in rear-naked chokes.

3. Historical Impact: The Figueiredo Tetralogy & Two Championship Reigns

Moreno’s historic four-fight series against Deiveson Figueiredo (2020–2023) stands as the only tetralogy in UFC history. At UFC 263, Moreno choked out Figueiredo to become undisputed champion, won the interim belt against Kai Kara-France at UFC 277, and unified the undisputed title at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro. Following subsequent wars against Pantoja, Erceg, and Albazi, Moreno remains an icon of modern lower-weight combat.

4. Brandon Moreno Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Tibetan Herder to International Sanda Phenom

Su Mudaerji was born in Aba, Sichuan, China, spending his early childhood herding cattle in the mountain pastures. Selected by the Enbo Fight Club in Chengdu at age fourteen to study traditional Chinese Sanda (kickboxing), Su captured a silver medal at the 2010 Sichuan Youth Sanda Championships before conquering the Wu Lin Feng promotion. Entering the UFC in 2018, he made history as the first Tibetan fighter to compete in the Octagon.

2. Fighting Style: Long Sanda Kicking Range & Piston Straight Left

Possessing a towering 5’8″ frame and a 72-inch reach, Su Mudaerji is one of the longest, most dangerous distance strikers in the 125-pound division. Operating out of a wide southpaw stance, he keeps adversaries at bay with side teep kicks, hook kicks, and spinning back kicks. When opponents attempt to close distance, Su fires a laser-like straight left down the pipe that carries devastating precision and stopping power.

3. Resurgence: The Four-Fight Winning Run Across 2025–2026

After engaging Matt Schnell in an unforgettable 2022 Fight of the Year war, Su orchestrated a dominant resurgence throughout 2025 and 2026. He compiled consecutive victories over Mitch Raposo, Kevin Borjas in Shanghai, and Jesús Santos Aguilar at UFC 326. In August 2026 at UFC Fight Night 286, Su secured the biggest triumph of his career, outstriking former title challenger Alex Perez across three rounds in Shanghai to claim the #11 world ranking.

4. Su Mudaerji Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: New England Wrestling Roots to Octagon Contender

Mitchell Raposo was born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, compiling an exceptional scholastic wrestling career before transitioning to mixed martial arts at Regiment Training Center. After capturing the Cage Titans Flyweight Championship and CES MMA Flyweight Championship across the East Coast regional circuit, Raposo earned his call to the UFC in 2024, demonstrating technical persistence to carve his place among the world’s top 15 flyweights.

2. Fighting Style: Pace Wrestling & High-Volume Boxing

Raposo weaponizes fundamental high-pace wrestling and inside dirty boxing. Working behind level changes and low single-leg shoots, he forces opponents against the fence where he grinds them with collar-tie knees and short uppercuts. On the feet, his disciplined high guard and circular footwork allow him to reset range quickly while evading aggressive brawlers.

3. Resurgence: Back-to-Back Wins Over Maksum and Nascimento

After narrow split decision setbacks against André Lima and Su Mudaerji, Raposo authored an impressive turnaround across late 2025 and 2026. At UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, Raposo outwrestled Kazakh standout Azat Maksum over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision. He followed with a split decision win over Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Allan Nascimento at UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Horiguchi, climbing to #12 in the official rankings.

4. Mitch Raposo Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Ensenada Judo Lineage to Team Cormier Star

Imanol Rodríguez Pillado was born in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, beginning judo at Club Deportivo Salgado before transitioning to mixed martial arts under Team Blackxicans. After dominating Budo Sento Championship and Fury FC with consecutive first-round finishes, Rodríguez starred on Season 33 of The Ultimate Fighter under Daniel Cormier. Earning his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9 with a first-round knockout of Roque Conceição Moreira Jr., Rodríguez emerged as Mexico’s most explosive flyweight knockout artist.

2. Fighting Style: High-Amplitude Judo Throws & Concussive Body Kicks

Rodríguez pairs an unblemished 100% professional finishing rate with explosive hand speed and judo balance. Operating out of an aggressive orthodox stance, he blitzes with heavy hooks before clinching to execute hip tosses and foot sweeps. Once opponents back off, Rodríguez attacks the liver with thudding body kicks and right hands, hunting single-shot stoppages with ruthless killer instinct.

3. Historical Impact: Back-to-Back POTN Bonuses & Van Callout

Rodríguez debuted at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh in Mexico City on February 28, 2026, stopping Kevin Borjas via second-round TKO to win Performance of the Night honors. At UFC 332 in Salt Lake City on October 3, 2026, Rodríguez dismantled Alden Coria with a body kick and punches at 3:11 of Round 1, earning his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus and immediately calling out reigning champion Joshua Van.

4. Imanol Rodríguez Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Perth Roots to Fast-Track UFC Title Challenger

Stephen Vincent Erceg was raised in Perth, Western Australia, training under David Wilkes at Wilkes Martial Arts and Scrappy MMA. After capturing the Eternal MMA Flyweight Championship and dominating the Australian circuit, Erceg debuted in the UFC in June 2023 on short notice, earning top-10 victories over David Dvořák, Alessandro Costa, and Matt Schnell to earn a world title shot within just three promotional fights.

2. Fighting Style: Composed Boxing, Intercepting Elbows & Front Chokes

Erceg combines calm, textbook boxing with a lethal front headlock submission game. Standing tall in an orthodox stance, his lead jab, collar-tie slicing elbows, and check left hook catch rushing opponents. On the ground, his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt provides dangerous front-choke mechanics, holding six career submission wins via guillotine, ninja, and rear-naked chokes.

3. Historical Impact: Pushing Pantoja to the Brink at UFC 301

At UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro in May 2024, Erceg challenged champion Alexandre Pantoja for the Undisputed UFC Flyweight Championship, stunning the Brazilian audience by cutting Pantoja open with elbows and pushing the bout to a razor-thin 48-47 decision. Following 5-round main events against Kai Kara-France and Brandon Moreno, Erceg remains one of the division’s most technically dangerous contenders.

4. Steve Erceg Signature Victories & Fight Log

1. Biography: Topeka Roots, Track Athlete to St. Louis Iron Man

Charles Anthony Johnson was born in Topeka, Kansas, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. An all-state track and field athlete and collegiate competitor, Johnson transitioned to combat sports, compiling a 10-fight professional boxing record alongside his mixed martial arts journey. Capturing the LFA Flyweight Championship and defending it twice, Johnson earned his moniker “InnerG” through tireless conditioning and activity inside the Octagon.

2. Fighting Style: Switch-Stance Pressure & Opportunistic Finishes

Johnson is a durable switch-hitter with high cardiovascular stamina. Seamlessly changing stances, he tenderizes adversaries with lead jabs, straight crosses, and inside calf kicks. Backed by solid takedown defense, Johnson is notorious for breaking opponents’ momentum late in fights, possessing power in both hands and opportunistic submission mastery off scrambles.

3. Historical Impact: Slaying Joshua Van, Lone’er Kavanagh & UFC 330 Twister

Johnson holds the unique distinction of having handed both undisputed champion Joshua Van (KO at UFC on ESPN 59) and #6 ranked Lone’er Kavanagh (KO in Shanghai) their only career knockout or professional losses. At UFC 330 in August 2026, Johnson achieved promotional immortality by locking in a rare “Twister” spinal lock submission on Eduardo Henrique at 1:36 of Round 3, capturing a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus to solidify his #15 ranking.

4. Charles Johnson Signature Victories & Fight Log