Top Spot In UFC Pound-For-Pound Rankings Up For Grabs

Now that Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired from the UFC with an unbeaten record, the number one position in the pound-for-pound ranking will be available for somebody to earn.

The lightweight champion has insisted he will not be coming back to the UFC and instead will be concentrating on other projects such as his promotion, Eagle Fighting Championship, in Russia.

Here is a look at three fighters who are best placed to take Nurmagomedov's position as the best in the brand.

Stipe Miocic
Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has been gradually climbing the pound-for-pound list over the last few years. Stone Cold has lost just once in his previous nine appearances in the octagon. His latest victory over Daniel Cormier was the settling rubber of his trilogy with the fighter.

Miocic’s place on the pound-for-pound list may be boosted further in his next fight against Francis Ngannou. He has Stipe vs Ngannou odds of +110 which indicates how tough of a contest this will be against the hard-hitting heavyweight.

The 38-year-old has already made UFC history. He has more wins in the heavyweight division than any other fighter. He also has the longest streak with the heavyweight belt. The number one position on the pound-for-pound list would cap off what has been a superb career for Miocic.

Kamaru Usman
Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has one of the longest winning runs in the UFC so it is no surprise he is inside the top five of the pound-for-pound rankings. He has been so dominant in the octagon, with wins coming over rivals Colby Covington, Jorge Masvidal and Gilbert Burns over the last two years.

Usman will top the bill at UFC 261 next month where he is going to take on Masvidal once again. The Nigerian Nightmare is running out of opponents in his division so a rematch has been booked with Gamebred.

If the welterweight champion continues his successful streak, it will only be a matter of time before he is considered the number one male fighter in the UFC.

Jon Jones
Few men in the history of the UFC can match what Jon Jones has achieved in the brand. Not only has he been a two-time light heavyweight champion, but he is also the youngest ever competitor to win a belt.

Jones has nothing more to prove at light heavyweight so he is now turning his attention to the heavyweight division. If he can conquer the heavier weight class, his legacy will be even stronger. He is currently number two in the pound-for-pound list, so he looks the most likely to take Nurmagomedov's position.

Bones is set to appear in the octagon again in December against an unnamed opponent. He is likely to need a couple of fights before he challenges for the title in the heavyweight division. One thing is for sure, whoever is champion then will be fully aware of the threat the American will impose even at the higher weight.

It is going to be fascinating to see who does end the year as the top pound-for-pound fighter. It is the most lucrative title in the UFC so those in contention will be doing everything they can to earn it.