Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Thad Jean just passed the toughest test of his burgeoning mixed martial arts career.

The 26-year-old Floridian punched his ticket to the Professional Fighters League welterweight finals with a hard-fought split-decision triumph over former Bellator MMA champ Jason Jackson on Thursday night in Nashville. It was exactly the type of proving ground Jean needed: Rather than running through his veteran foe, “Silverback” was forced to pick his spots and battle through some tough spots to earn the nod on two judges’ scorecards. It’s the type of effort that bodes well for his future — and it also propels him into the welterweight rankings at No. 10.

While it was a beginning of sorts for Jean, Kamaru Usman used his return at UFC Atlanta to remind the rest of the welterweight division exactly what he’s capable of when healthy and motivated. In his first appearance since October 2023, “The Nigerian Nightmare” stymied Joaquin Buckley for the better part of 20 minutes before surviving a late scare to earn a unanimous decision triumph in Saturday’s headliner at the State Farm Arena. Not only does Usman have renewed championship hopes, but he rejoins the welterweight rankings at No. 7.

At heavyweight, few fighters have been more consistent over the past eight years than KSW ruler Phil De Fries. The 39-year-old Englishman continued his run at KSW 107 on Saturday, submitting vaunted kickboxer Arkadiusz Wrzosek with a keylock in the opening stanza of their clash at Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland. That’s 15 consecutive triumphs for “And Still,” who makes his Top 10 debut on the basis of his sustained excellence in the big man’s division.

Elsewhere, Rose Namajunas improved to 3-2 at 125 pounds with a hard-fought decision triumph over Miranda Maverick in the UFC Atlanta co-main event. As a result, the former strawweight queen climbs to No. 11 in the latest flyweight poll. Finally, Muhammad Mokaev continues to stay busy following his unceremonious UFC release, as he outpointed Thomas Assis under the 971 Fighting Championship banner on Saturday. The 24-year-old may have fallen out of favor with the Las Vegas-based promotion, but the fact remains that he is unbeaten in 16 professional appearances. That’s enough for him to climb one spot to No. 6 in the flyweight rankings ahead of Steve Erceg, who has dropped three straight in the UFC.

Note: Previous rankings listed in brackets.

Jump To »
HEAVYWEIGHT
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
MIDDLEWEIGHT
WELTERWEIGHT
LIGHTWEIGHT
FEATHERWEIGHT
BANTAMWEIGHT
FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
WOMEN'S ATOMWEIGHT