As of 5th September
Women's strawweight
Confirmed
#2 Jessica Andrade vs #4 Karolina Kowalkiewicz
#6 Carla Esparza vs #9 Tatiana Suarez
#7 Michelle Waterson vs #8 Felice Herrig
#3 Claudia Gadelha vs. #11 Nina Ansaroff
#3 Claudia Gadelha vs. #11 Nina Ansaroff
WSFW
(C) Rose Namajunas - since she has already beaten #1 contender Joanna Jedrzejczyk twice in her previous two bouts, the sole option should be the winner of the Andrade-Kowalkiewicz encounter, with the latter holding a win over the current champion.
#1 Joanna Jedrzejczyk - the former champ is in a spectacularly sticky situation, given she has already beaten those ranked #2 through to #6, and in relatively dominant fashion too.
It is unlikely she would gain much facing the winner of Waterson and Herrig, while should Suarez get through Esparza, it may be a fight too early for the current ninth-ranked contender.
Her best option could be to wait and see if Namajunas gets dethroned in her next defence. Though, of course, a rematch with the loser of Andrade-Kowalkiewicz would further her claim for another title shot.
Also, a long shot could be for a test up at flyweight, if that is a possibility.
It is unlikely she would gain much facing the winner of Waterson and Herrig, while should Suarez get through Esparza, it may be a fight too early for the current ninth-ranked contender.
Her best option could be to wait and see if Namajunas gets dethroned in her next defence. Though, of course, a rematch with the loser of Andrade-Kowalkiewicz would further her claim for another title shot.
Also, a long shot could be for a test up at flyweight, if that is a possibility.
#5 Tecia Torres - two recent unanimous decision losses to Jedrzejczyk and Andrade could see Torres take a step back and fighting a lower ranked contender.
Herrig could be an option if she bests Waterson, along with possibly the loser of the Esparza-Suarez encounter.
#10 Courtney Casey is also an option after her win over #14 Angela Hill.
Herrig could be an option if she bests Waterson, along with possibly the loser of the Esparza-Suarez encounter.
#10 Courtney Casey is also an option after her win over #14 Angela Hill.
Flyweight
Confirmed
#2 Sergio Pettis vs. #5 Jussier Formiga
#3 Joe Benavidez vs. #4 Ray Borg
WSFW
(C) Henry Cejudo - newly-crowned champ Cejudo has been campaigning for a shot at bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw since he took the belt from long-reigning top boy, Demetrious Johnson, at the start of August.
The only way that should be next is if Dillashaw comes down to 125lbs. It has been reported that Johnson may be out for some time through injury so a new contender must emerge.
The most likely contenders to face Cejudo next are dependent on the results of their respective next bouts.
It is unlikely that Pettis would get a shot at Cejudo given the way he was dismantled by the new champion back in December.
That gives Formiga a good chance of getting the next shot with a win.
It would be more likely for Benavidez to get a shot rather than Borg when a winner emerges from their November clash in Denver, given Borg was finished by Johnson in his last fight, a title fight.
A wildcard could be #6 Deiveson Figueiredo, who finished #7 John Moraga at the end of August. He is 15-0 with rare power for the division and could present a unique challenge for the champ.
The only way that should be next is if Dillashaw comes down to 125lbs. It has been reported that Johnson may be out for some time through injury so a new contender must emerge.
The most likely contenders to face Cejudo next are dependent on the results of their respective next bouts.
It is unlikely that Pettis would get a shot at Cejudo given the way he was dismantled by the new champion back in December.
That gives Formiga a good chance of getting the next shot with a win.
It would be more likely for Benavidez to get a shot rather than Borg when a winner emerges from their November clash in Denver, given Borg was finished by Johnson in his last fight, a title fight.
A wildcard could be #6 Deiveson Figueiredo, who finished #7 John Moraga at the end of August. He is 15-0 with rare power for the division and could present a unique challenge for the champ.
#1 Demetrious Johnson - there really is only one option for Mighty Mouse, and that is a rematch with Cejudo, or an immediate shot should there be a new belt-holder when he returns.
He lost the title in the narrowest of ways in a split decision, along with the small fact that he holds the record for most UFC title defences.
He lost the title in the narrowest of ways in a split decision, along with the small fact that he holds the record for most UFC title defences.
#6 Deiveson Figueiredo - depending on the results of the aforementioned fights at the top of the division, a title shot may not be out of the realms of possibility for the unbeaten Brazilian.
Should, for example, Formiga emerge victorious then a bout against any of the other three could easily be set for a title eliminator.
Should, for example, Formiga emerge victorious then a bout against any of the other three could easily be set for a title eliminator.
Bantamweight
Confirmed
#5 Jimmie Rivera vs. #7 John Dodson
#8 Aljamain Sterling vs. #10 Cody Stamann
WSFW
(C) TJ Dillashaw - mentioned earlier, if the 'superfight' between Dillashaw and Cejudo comes to fruition, it should be the 135lbs champ making the move down for the shot at a second belt.
If he stays at 135, next in line should be #4 Marlon Moraes. The Brazilian made short work of Rivera in his last outing, a main event in Utica. He was also on the right end of a sickening KO win over Sterling in the fight previous.
#3 Raphael Assuncao is currently on an incredible 11-1 streak in the UFC and sits 1-1 with Dillashaw, but he hasn't shown the same finishing ability as Moraes and won a razor-thin decision over his compatriot, which could otherwise have been a sure-fire title eliminator looking back.
Finally, #2 Dominick Cruz has been campaigning for a title shot and is the third name on the list of current contenders. He is the last person to defeat Dillashaw, dethroning him back at the start of 2016.
However, Cruz' last fight was back in December 2016 when he lost the title to Cody Garbrandt.
If he stays at 135, next in line should be #4 Marlon Moraes. The Brazilian made short work of Rivera in his last outing, a main event in Utica. He was also on the right end of a sickening KO win over Sterling in the fight previous.
#3 Raphael Assuncao is currently on an incredible 11-1 streak in the UFC and sits 1-1 with Dillashaw, but he hasn't shown the same finishing ability as Moraes and won a razor-thin decision over his compatriot, which could otherwise have been a sure-fire title eliminator looking back.
Finally, #2 Dominick Cruz has been campaigning for a title shot and is the third name on the list of current contenders. He is the last person to defeat Dillashaw, dethroning him back at the start of 2016.
However, Cruz' last fight was back in December 2016 when he lost the title to Cody Garbrandt.
#1 Cody Garbrandt - after two humbling KO losses to rival Dillashaw, it may well be a long road back to the title for No Love, particularly if TJ remains champion.
It may be smart for him to take some time off following his most recent setback at the start of August. For his return, a potential barnburner with John Lineker would go some way to showing whether the deficiencies against Dillashaw were either down to his opponent or have since been improved.
The winner of Rivera and Dodson could also be an option.
#2 Dominick Cruz - despite being considered by many to be the greatest bantamweight of all time and having a win over the current champ, it is difficult to justify a title shot for his return in what would likely be a two+ year layoff.
As well as the fact he'd be coming off a loss, it would make sense for him to fight a title eliminator against Assuncao.
It may be smart for him to take some time off following his most recent setback at the start of August. For his return, a potential barnburner with John Lineker would go some way to showing whether the deficiencies against Dillashaw were either down to his opponent or have since been improved.
The winner of Rivera and Dodson could also be an option.
#2 Dominick Cruz - despite being considered by many to be the greatest bantamweight of all time and having a win over the current champ, it is difficult to justify a title shot for his return in what would likely be a two+ year layoff.
As well as the fact he'd be coming off a loss, it would make sense for him to fight a title eliminator against Assuncao.
#3 Raphael Assuncao - he has only one finish in over five years, which could ultimately count against him. His last two wins have come against fighters ranked outside the top ten, with two split decision wins and a loss to Dillashaw preceding those.
Despite them being locked at 1-1, his last bout with Dillashaw ended with a fairly straightforward win for the current champ, which could well be a countervailing factor.
A bout with Cruz would confirm the next contender (after Moraes).
Despite them being locked at 1-1, his last bout with Dillashaw ended with a fairly straightforward win for the current champ, which could well be a countervailing factor.
A bout with Cruz would confirm the next contender (after Moraes).
#4 Marlon Moraes - he dropped a split decision to Assuncao in his UFC debut to snap a 13 fight winning streak, but Moraes has since won his last three, including two vicious KOs in his last two. That and the fact he is a fresh matchup for Dillashaw marks him out as the clear next contender for the title.
#6 John Lineker - Hands of Stone has taken to Twitter in recent weeks to voice his apparent frustrations with the lack of progress in finding an opponent.
The 5'3" brawler even called out 6'1" featherweight prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov, after the Russian's bout with Yair Rodriguez fell through.
After that proposal was reportedly rejected, he suggested he'd be willing to head up to lightweight if it meant he could find a fight.
Lineker is currently 6-1 since his return to bantamweight back in 2015, with his sole defeat coming against the champion.
A scrap with Garbrandt is very appealing, although may not align with Lineker's seeming requirement for a fight to be signed with relative haste.
A matchup with Assuncao could be interesting, while a standup battle with the surging #12 Alejandro Perez would also make for exciting viewing.
The 5'3" brawler even called out 6'1" featherweight prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov, after the Russian's bout with Yair Rodriguez fell through.
After that proposal was reportedly rejected, he suggested he'd be willing to head up to lightweight if it meant he could find a fight.
Lineker is currently 6-1 since his return to bantamweight back in 2015, with his sole defeat coming against the champion.
A scrap with Garbrandt is very appealing, although may not align with Lineker's seeming requirement for a fight to be signed with relative haste.
A matchup with Assuncao could be interesting, while a standup battle with the surging #12 Alejandro Perez would also make for exciting viewing.
Featherweight
Confirmed
(C) Max Holloway vs. #1 Brian Ortega
#3 Frankie Edgar vs. #10 Chan Sung Jung
WSFW
#2 Jose Aldo - like many in the UFC currently, such as Stephen Thompson and the aforementioned Garbrandt, Aldo is at a crossroads in his division.
Getting finished twice in successive outings by the champ means the former featherweight kingpin will likely need to either go on killer winning streak, hope Ortega dethrones Holloway or wait until Holloway inevitably moves up to lightweight.
In the meantime, he could become somewhat of a gatekeeper, with rising talents such as Renato Moicano and Mirsad Bektic looking to jump ahead in the race for a title shot.
Getting finished twice in successive outings by the champ means the former featherweight kingpin will likely need to either go on killer winning streak, hope Ortega dethrones Holloway or wait until Holloway inevitably moves up to lightweight.
In the meantime, he could become somewhat of a gatekeeper, with rising talents such as Renato Moicano and Mirsad Bektic looking to jump ahead in the race for a title shot.
#4 Renato Moicano - after finishing #7 Cub Swanson last time out, Moicano initially campaigned for a rematch with Ortega for an interim belt, which predictably fell on deaf ears. He has since suggested a fight with Aldo should be next, and it probably should be.
#5 Chad Mendes - Money Mendes finally made his long-awaited return in July, knocking out Myles Jury in the first round. He has already risen to #5, with a swarm of contenders just below him. One of Jeremy Stephens, Mirsad Bektic or Alexander Volkanovski would be a very tasty next fight as he seeks to get back to title contention.
#6 Jeremy Stephens - a strong three fight winning streak was painfully ended by Aldo at the end of July. Again, there are a number of contenders ranked #5 through to #15 who could all conceivably match up against each other next time out. Like Mendes, a fight with Bektic or Volkanovski will either progress a contender or keep Stephens going at the top of the division.
Welterweight
Confirmed
(C) Tyron Woodley vs. #2 Darren Till
#8 Neil Magny vs. #10 Santiago Ponzinibbio
#12 Donald Cerrone vs. Mike Perry
Rumoured
#4 Stephen Thompson vs. #5 Robbie Lawler
WSFW
#1 Colby Covington - it is unfortunate that Covington was unable to take the bout against Woodley as he was the clear number one contender after winning the interim title. He remains the number one contender, however, and should fight only the winner of Woodley-Till for the title next.
#3 Rafael dos Anjos - there were rumours of a fight with Ponzinibbio in Argentina, accelerated by social media exchanges between the two, but that has since not come to fruition.
Having been so close to a title shot, dos Anjos should fight Kamaru Usman next in what could be a title eliminator of sorts, possibly depending on Covington.
The loser of Woodley-Till could also be an option.
Having been so close to a title shot, dos Anjos should fight Kamaru Usman next in what could be a title eliminator of sorts, possibly depending on Covington.
The loser of Woodley-Till could also be an option.
#6 Kamaru Usman - similarly to RDA, Usman is likely close to a shot and that matchup would make sense. He is on standby for the title fight at UFC 228 which indicates how close he is to that shot. Again, like Dos Anjos, the loser of that said title fight could also be an option.
#7 Demian Maia - it is tough to think of a matchup for Maia at this moment in time. He turns 41 in November and has lost his last three, with a title fight loss against Woodley kicking off that streak.
It is very unlikely and almost impossible that he gets anywhere neat a title shot again, so he could be set for 'gatekeeper' status until he moves on or retires.
Covington and Usman essentially used Maia's ranking to hoist themselves straight into title contention after their respective wins over the Brazilian.
At this stage, it would be good to give Maia at least some leeway when it comes to stylistic matchups, something that went completely against him in his last three outings, while also offering prospects the chance to face higher opposition.
Options could include Vicente Luque, the winner of #14 Alex Oliveira-Carlo Pedersoli Jr or perhaps #11 Leon Edwards.
A nice long shot could have been the winner of Claudio Silva-Ramazan Emeev, had Silva not pulled out with injury.
It is very unlikely and almost impossible that he gets anywhere neat a title shot again, so he could be set for 'gatekeeper' status until he moves on or retires.
Covington and Usman essentially used Maia's ranking to hoist themselves straight into title contention after their respective wins over the Brazilian.
At this stage, it would be good to give Maia at least some leeway when it comes to stylistic matchups, something that went completely against him in his last three outings, while also offering prospects the chance to face higher opposition.
Options could include Vicente Luque, the winner of #14 Alex Oliveira-Carlo Pedersoli Jr or perhaps #11 Leon Edwards.
A nice long shot could have been the winner of Claudio Silva-Ramazan Emeev, had Silva not pulled out with injury.
#9 Jorge Masvidal - Gamebred is currently competing on a reality TV show, Exatlon Estados Unidos, after being 'unable to find a willing opponent'.
He has called for fights against Magny and Usman, but both have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
He has, though, supposedly answered yes to the callout from Leon Edwards, which is the fight that should be made next.
He has called for fights against Magny and Usman, but both have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
He has, though, supposedly answered yes to the callout from Leon Edwards, which is the fight that should be made next.
#11 Leon Edwards - After beating Donald Cerrone in Singapore, Edwards said he was ready to continue his ascent in the welterweight division.
He called for a bout with Masvidal, which was said to be agreed upon by Masvidal himself.
However, Edwards has since said that if Masvidal is 'too busy with reality TV shows' then he'll 'turn his attention towards RDA or Lawler'.
Since Lawler is said to be booked against Thompson for early next year, Dos Anjos would present a very realistic chance for Rocky to crack the top five.
He called for a bout with Masvidal, which was said to be agreed upon by Masvidal himself.
However, Edwards has since said that if Masvidal is 'too busy with reality TV shows' then he'll 'turn his attention towards RDA or Lawler'.
Since Lawler is said to be booked against Thompson for early next year, Dos Anjos would present a very realistic chance for Rocky to crack the top five.
