Posted in

Du Plessis dominates but stays put, while Kline earns spot in strawweight rankings

by MC Tot•
Du Plessis dominates but stays put, while Kline earns spot in strawweight rankings


  • Brett OkamotoJul 21, 2026, 09:00 AM ET

    Close

      Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.

Multiple Authors

Dricus Du Plessis delivered a masterful performance on Saturday night in dominating Kamaru Usman in the UFC main event. He does not budge, however, in the ESPN divisional rankings.

Du Plessis was already No. 3 at middleweight, one spot below Khamzat Chimaev, who soundly defeated the South African last August to take away the UFC title. Chimaev has since lost the belt to Sean Strickland, who sits at No. 1 in the 185-pound rankings. There was nowhere for Du Plessis to move up.

The other ranked fighter who was in action over the weekend is not staying put, though. Tabatha Ricci, who was No. 9 at strawweight, falls out of the top 10 after being beaten both on the feet and in the grappling by Fatima Kline. Kline takes over the ninth spot at 115 pounds, her first appearance in the rankings.

For Kline, Saturday’s clear decision win was her fourth straight victory since she dropped her UFC debut in 2024 to Jasmine Jasudavicius. Kline took that fight on short notice up a division at flyweight, where Jasudavicius is in the top 10.

Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

Results are current; rankings as of July 21. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

MEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

MEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)



Source link