{"id":827535,"date":"2025-02-16T13:12:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-16T19:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/16\/usa-today-sports-mma-junkie-rankings-review-biggest-movers-in-2024\/"},"modified":"2025-02-16T13:12:02","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T19:12:02","slug":"usa-today-sports-mma-junkie-rankings-review-biggest-movers-in-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/16\/usa-today-sports-mma-junkie-rankings-review-biggest-movers-in-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"USA TODAY Sports\/MMA Junkie rankings review: Biggest movers in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"primary\">\n<article id=\"post-2794279\" itemscope itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/NewsArticle\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"datePublished\" content=\"2024-12-22T08:00:47-05:00\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"dateModified\" content=\"2024-12-22T12:38:38-05:00\"><\/p>\n<header>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"content-container\">\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>The landscape of MMA changes rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>Every year new champions are crowned and new contenders emerge. Some veterans compete to maintain their spot among the elite while others decide to hang up the gloves. <\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Each week throughout the year, the USA TODAY Sports\/MMA Junkie global rankings reflect the ever-changing landscape as each division and pound-for-pound rankings shift. <\/p>\n<p>Check out all of the moves across each division below, along with the biggest rises and falls from the first rankings release in January to the final update in December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"listicle-0\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Men&#8217;s Pound for Pound<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5032\" height=\"3844\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?w=503&#038;h=384\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg 5032w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=640,489 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=300,229 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=768,587 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=1024,782 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=1536,1173 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=2048,1564 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/11\/Jon-Jones-def.-Stipe-Miocic-UFC-309-705.jpg?resize=445,340 445w\"><\/p>\n<p>Nov 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Jon Jones (red gloves) celebrates defeating Stipe Miocoic (blue gloves) in the heavyweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Men\u2019s pound-for-pound biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/ilia-topuria\">Ilia Topuria<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Topuria, MMA Junkie\u2019s Male Fighter of the Year for 2024, went 2-0 in 2024. He claimed the UFC featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and then defended his throne by knocking out Max Holloway.<\/p>\n<p>Men\u2019s pound-for-pound biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/demetrious-johnson\">Demetrious Johnson<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Johnson naturally fell from No. 5 to out of the pound-for-pound rankings due to retirement.<\/p>\n<p>Men\u2019s pound-for-pound movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Jon Jones <strong>\u2013 <\/strong><br \/>2. Alex Pereira <em><strong>+5<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Islam Makhachev <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Ilia Topuria <em><strong>UR<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Alexandre Pantoja <strong><em>+8<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Francis Ngannou <strong><em>+8<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Alexander Volkanovski <em><strong>-4<\/strong><\/em><br \/>8. Dricus Du Plessis <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Belal Muhammad <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Leon Edwards <strong><em>-6<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Tom Aspinall <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Merab Dvalishvili <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Sean O\u2019Malley <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Magomed Ankalaev <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Khamzat Chimaev <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Demetrious Johnson (started No. 5)<br \/>\u2013 Sean Strickland (started No. 8)<br \/>\u2013 Israel Adesanya (started No. 9)<br \/>\u2013 Patricio Freire (started No. 12)<br \/>\u2013 Jamahal Hill (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-1\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Heavyweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?w=192&#038;h=128\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Francis-Ngannou-def.-Renan-Ferreira-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-38.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Pe\u00f1uela \/ 2024PFLPPV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Heavyweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/jailton-almeida\">Jailton Almeida<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Almeida climbed four spots after a 1-1 year, losing to Curtis Blaydes and defeating Alexandr Romanov.<\/p>\n<p>Heavyweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/stipe-miocic\">Stipe Miocic<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Miocic went 0-1 in 2024, losing to Jon Jones in his first fight since 2021. Miocic also announced his retirement. <\/p>\n<p>Heavyweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Francis Ngannou <strong>\u2013 <\/strong><br \/>2. Tom Aspinall<em> <strong>+1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Jon Jones <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Ciryl Gane<em> <strong>+1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Alexander Volkov <strong><em>+3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Sergei Pavlovich <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Curtis Blaydes <em><strong>\u2013<\/strong><\/em><br \/>8. Jailton Almeida <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Serghei Spivac <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Marcin Tybura <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Derrick Lewis <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Renan Ferreira <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Jairzinho Rozenstruik <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Tai Tuivasa <strong><em>-5<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Alexandr Romanov <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Stipe Miocic (started No. 6)<br \/>\u2013 Ryan Bader (started No. 14)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-2\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Light Heavyweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5616\" height=\"3744\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?w=561&#038;h=374\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg 5616w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Alex-Pereira-def.-Khalil-Rountree-UFC-307-600.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. (not pictured) in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Light heavyweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/carlos-ulberg\">Carlos Ulberg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ulberg rose from unranked to No. 10 following a 2-0 year where he defeated Alonzo Menifield and Volkan Oezdemir.<\/p>\n<p>Light heavyweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/aleksandar-rakic\">Aleksandar Rakic<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rakic fell from No. 8 to No. 12 following an 0-2 year where he lost to Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev.<\/p>\n<p>Light heavyweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Alex Pereira <strong>\u2013 <\/strong><br \/>2. Magomed Ankalaev<em> <strong>+2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Jiri Prochazka <em><strong>\u2013<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Jamahal Hill<em> <strong>-2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Corey Anderson <strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Vadim Nemkov <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Jan Blachowicz <em><strong>\u2013<\/strong><\/em><br \/>8. Nikita Krylov <strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Khalil Rountree <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Carlos Ulberg<strong><em> UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Volkan Oezdemir <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Aleksandar Rakic <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Johnny Walker <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Dominick Reyes <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Anthony Smith <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Ryan Spann (started No. 13)<br \/>\u2013 Alonzo Menifield (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-3\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Middleweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4085\" height=\"2723\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?w=408&#038;h=272\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg 4085w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/08\/Dricus-Du-Plessis-def.-Israel-Adesanya-UFC-305-3087.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>PERTH, AUSTRALIA \u2013 AUGUST 18: Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa walks from the octagon after winning his Middleweight championship fight against Israel Adesanya of Nigeria by submission during UFC 305 at RAC Arena on August 18, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Middleweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/caio-borralho\">Caio Borralho<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Borralho began the year unranked and ended at No. 7 following a 2-0 year which included a stoppage of Paul Craig and a decision win in his first UFC main event over former title challenger Jared Cannonier.<\/p>\n<p>Middleweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/alex-pereira\">Alex Pereira<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Pereira\u2019s removal from the middleweight rankings was simply due to his permanent move to light heavyweight, where he currently holds the division\u2019s title. <\/p>\n<p>Middleweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Dricus Du Plessis <strong>+3 <\/strong><br \/>2. Sean Strickland<em> <strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Israel Adesanya <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Khamzat Chimaev<em> <strong>+5<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Robert Whittaker <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Johnny Eblen <strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Caio Borralho <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Nassourdine Imavov <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Jared Cannonier <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Marvin Vettori<strong><em> -2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Brendan Allen <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Gregory Rodrigues <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Anthony Hernandez <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Roman Dolidze <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Shara Magomedov <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Alex Pereira (started No. 3)<br \/>\u2013 Derek Brunson (started No. 10)<br \/>\u2013 Paulo Costa (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Jack Hermansson (started No. 14)<br \/>\u2013 Kelvin Gastelum (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-4\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Welterweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5386\" height=\"3590\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?w=538&#038;h=359\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg 5386w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/07\/Belal-Muhammad-def.-Leon-Edwards-UFC-304-132.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>MANCHESTER, ENGLAND \u2013 JULY 28: Belal Muhammad reacts after his victory against Leon Edwards of Jamaica at Co-op Live on July 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Welterweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/joaquin-buckley\">Joaquin Buckley<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Buckley began the year unranked and ended at No. 5 following a 4-0 year which included wins over Vicente Luque, Nursulton Ruziboev, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.<\/p>\n<p>Welterweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/jason-jackson\">Jason Jackson<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Jackson fell six spots from No. 8 to No. 14 following a 1-1 year where he lost the Bellator welterweight title to Ramazan Kuramagomedov.<\/p>\n<p>Welterweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Belal Muhammad <em><strong>+2<\/strong><\/em><strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Leon Edwards<em> <strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Shavkat Rakhmonov <em><strong>+1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Kamaru Usman<em> <strong>-2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Joaquin Buckley <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Jack Della Maddalena <strong><em>+9<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Sean Brady <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Gilbert Burns <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Ian Machado Garry <strong><em>+5<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Colby Covington<strong><em> -5<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Stephen Thompson <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Ramazan Kuramagomedov <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Shamil Musaev <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Jason Jackson <strong><em>-6<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Michael Morales <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Khamzat Chimaev (started No. 10)<br \/>\u2013 Yaroslav Amosov (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Geoff Neal (started No. 12)<br \/>\u2013 Vicente Luque (started No. 13)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-5\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Lightweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"7188\" height=\"4792\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?w=718&#038;h=479\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg 7188w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/06\/Islam-Makhachev-def.-Dustin-Poirier-UFC-302-97.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Islam Makhachev (red gloves) celebrates defeating Dustin Poirier (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Lightweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/dan-hooker\">Dan Hooker<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hooker jumped five spots from No. 14 to No. 9 following a 1-0 year with a split decision win over Mateusz Gamrot.<\/p>\n<p>Lightweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/mateusz-gamrot\">Mateusz Gamrot<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Gamrot fell three spots from No. 7 to No. 10 after a 1-1 year which included a unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos and a split decision loss to Hooker. <\/p>\n<p>Lightweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Islam Makhachev <em><strong>\u2013<\/strong><\/em><strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Arman Tsarukyan<em> <strong>+3<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Charles Oliveira <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Justin Gaethje<em> <strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Dustin Poirier <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Usman Nurmagomedov <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Beneil Dariush <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Grant Dawson <strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Dan Hooker <strong><em>+5<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Mateusz Gamrot<strong><em> -3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Rafael Fiziev <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Renato Moicano <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Olivier Aubin-Mercier <em><strong>-3<\/strong><\/em><br \/>14. Michael Chandler <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Benoit Saint Denis <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Jared Gordon (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-6\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Featherweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?w=100&#038;h=60\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?resize=640,384 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?resize=768,461 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?resize=347,208 347w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/sergio-ramos-ilia-topuria-ufc-308.jpg?resize=480,288 480w\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Featherweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/diego-lopes\">Diego Lopes<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lopes began the year unranked and ended at No. 7 following a 3-0 year which included wins over Sodiq Yusuff, Dan Ige and Brian Ortega.<\/p>\n<p>Featherweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/patricio-freire\">Patricio Freire<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Patricio Freire began the year at No. 3, but fell to No. 11 after a 1-0 year which included a title defense against Jeremy Kennedy in March. The fall was primarily due to inactivity, which Freire recently voiced his frustrations about. <\/p>\n<p>Featherweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Ilia Topuria <em>+3<\/em><strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Alexander Volkanovski<em> <strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Max Holloway <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Movsar Evloev<em> <strong>+4<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Yair Rodriguez <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Josh Emmett \u2013<br \/>7. Diego Lopes <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Brian Ortega <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Arnold Allen <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Bryce Mitchell<strong><em> \u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Patricio Freire <strong><em>-8<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Lerone Murphy <strong>+3<\/strong><br \/>13. Aljamain Sterling <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Calvin Kattar <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Giga Chikadze <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 A.J. McKee (started No. 9)<br \/>\u2013 Dan Ige (started No. 14)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-7\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Bantamweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?w=192&#038;h=108\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=640,360 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/UFC-306-Merab-Dvalishvili-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=480,270 480w\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Bantamweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/umar-nurmagomedov\">Umar Nurmagomedov<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nurmagomedov vaulted from No. 15 to No. 5 following a 2-0 year, which included wins over Bekzat Almakhan and Cory Sandhagen. He is also set for a title shot in the first pay-per-view of 2025 against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311.<\/p>\n<p>Bantamweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/aljamain-sterling\">Aljamain Sterling<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Sterling\u2019s fall from No. 3 to out of the rankings was simply due to switching to the featherweight division.<\/p>\n<p>Bantamweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Merab Dvalishvili <em>+1<\/em><strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Sean O\u2019Malley<em> <strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Patchy Mix <em><strong>+1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>4. Petr Yan<em> <strong>+3<\/strong><\/em><br \/>5. Umar Nurmagomedov <strong><em>+10<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Cory Sandhagen <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Mario Bautista <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Jose Aldo <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Henry Cejudo <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Song Yadong<strong><em> -2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Deiveson Figueiredo <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Raufeon Stots <em><strong>-2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>13. Marlon Vera <strong><em>-7<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Vinicius Oliveira <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Rob Font <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Aljamain Sterling (started No. 3)<br \/>\u2013 Ricky Simon (started No. 12)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-8\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Flyweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4045\" height=\"2697\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?w=404&#038;h=269\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg 4045w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/12\/Alexandre-Pantoja-def.-Kai-Asakura-UFC-310-93.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>Dec 7, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) reacts after defeating Kai Asakura (blues gloves) at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Flyweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/brandon-royval\">Brandon Royval<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Royval jumped from No. 8 to No. 2 following a 2-0 year which included split decision wins over Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira.<\/p>\n<p>Flyweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/demetrious-johnson\">Demetrious Johnson<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Johnson\u2019s fall from No. 1 to out of the rankings was due to retirement.<\/p>\n<p>Flyweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Alexandre Pantoja <em>+1<\/em><strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Brandon Royval<em> <strong>+6<\/strong><\/em><br \/>3. Brandon Moreno \u2013<br \/>4. Amir Albazi<em> <\/em>+2<br \/>5. Muhammad Mokaev <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Manel Kape +6<br \/>7. Tatsuro Taira <strong><em>+6<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Kai Kara-France <em><strong>+2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>9. Steve Erceg <strong><em>+5<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Kai Asakura<strong><em> UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Alex Perez <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Jafel Filho <em><strong>UR<\/strong><\/em><br \/>13. Bruno Silva <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Asu Almabayev <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Charles Johnson <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Demetrious Johnson (started No. 1)<br \/>\u2013 Deiveson Figueiredo (started No. 4)<br \/>\u2013 Askar Askarov (started No. 5)<br \/>\u2013 Adriano Moraes (started No. 9)<br \/>\u2013 Matheus Nicolau (started No. 11)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-9\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Women&#8217;s Pound for Pound<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?w=192&#038;h=128\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=640,427 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-def.-Larissa-Pacheco-PFL-Battle-of-the-Giants-128.jpg?resize=480,320 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Pe\u00f1uela \/ 2024PFLPPV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Women\u2019s pound for pound biggest rise: Julianna Pe\u00f1a<\/p>\n<p>Pe\u00f1a started the year unranked and finished No. 7 following a 1-0 year which included her first fight since 2022 to reclaim the women\u2019s bantamweight title by defeating Raquel Pennington.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s pound for pound biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/liz-carmouche\">Liz Carmouche<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Carmouche fell from No. 6 to out of the rankings following a 2-1 year which included wins over Juliana Velasquez and Kana Watanabe but also a loss to Taila Santos.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s pound for pound movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Cris Cyborg \u2013<strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Zhang Weili<em> \u2013<\/em><br \/>3. Valentina Shevchenko <strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>4. Alexa Grasso<em> <\/em><strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>5. Larissa Pacheco <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Julianna Pe\u00f1a <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>7. Raquel Pennington <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Kayla Harrison <em><strong>+2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>9. Manon Fiorot <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Erin Blanchfield<strong><em> -3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Tatiana Suarez <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Rose Namajunas <em>\u2013<\/em><br \/>13. Dakota Ditcheva <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Taila Santos <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Virna Jandiroba <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Liz Carmouche (started No. 6)<br \/>\u2013 Carla Esparza (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Jessica Andrade (started No. 13)<br \/>\u2013 Juliana Velasquez (started No. 14)<br \/>\u2013 Holly Holm (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-10\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Women&#8217;s strawweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?w=384&#038;h=216\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=640,360 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/04\/Zhang-Weili-ufc-300-post-fight-interview.jpg?resize=480,270 480w\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Women\u2019s strawweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/iasmin-lucindo\">Iasmin Lucindo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lucindo started the year unranked and ended at No. 9 following a 2-0 year, which included decision wins over Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez. <\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s strawweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/rose-namajunas\">Rose Namajunas<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Namajunas\u2019 fall from No. 5 to unranked was simply due to permanently switching divisions to flyweight.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s strawweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Zhang Weili \u2013<strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Tatiana Suarez<em> \u2013<\/em><br \/>3. Virna Jandiroba <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>4. Yan Xiaonan<em> <\/em><strong><em>+1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>5. Jessica Andrade <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Amanda Lemos <strong>\u2013<\/strong><br \/>7. Mackenzie Dern <strong><em>+3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Loopy Godinez <strong><em>+4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Iasmin Lucindo <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Tabatha Ricci<strong><em> +4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Marina Rodriguez <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Tecia Pennington <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Carla Esparza <em><strong>-10<\/strong><\/em><br \/>14. Amanda Ribas <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Gilian Robertson <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Rose Namajunas (started No. 4)<br \/>\u2013 Xion Jing Nan (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Denise Gomes (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-11\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Women&#8217;s flyweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?w=100&#038;h=60\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?resize=640,384 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?resize=768,461 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?resize=347,208 347w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/09\/Valentina-Shevchenko-def.-Alexa-Grasso-UFC-306-1.jpg?resize=480,288 480w\"><\/p>\n<p>LAS VEGAS, NEVADA \u2013 SEPTEMBER 14: Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan (R) reacts after defeating Alexa Grasso of Mexico (L) to win the Women\u2019s Flyweight title during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Women\u2019s flyweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/dakota-ditcheva\">Dakota Ditcheva<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ditcheva started the year unranked and finished No. 5 following a 4-0 year which included wins over Lisa Muldin, Chelsea Hackett, Jena Bishop, and Taila Santos to win the PFL women\u2019s flyweight championship. Ditcheva was also MMA Junkie\u2019s Female Fighter of the Year for 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s flyweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/jessica-andrade\">Jessica Andrade<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Andrade\u2019s fall from No. 6 to out of the rankings came after a 1-1 year which included a strawweight win over Marina Rodriguez and a flyweight loss to Natalia Silva.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s flyweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Valentina Shevchenko <strong><em>+1<\/em> <\/strong><br \/>2. Alexa Grasso <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>3. Manon Fiorot <strong><em>+2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>4. Erin Blanchfield \u2013<br \/>5. Dakota Ditcheva <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Taila Santos<strong> <\/strong><em><strong>+2<\/strong><\/em><br \/>7. Liz Carmouche <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Juliana Velasaquez <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Maycee Barber <strong><em>+3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Rose Namajunas <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Tracy Cortez <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Natalia Silva <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Jasmin Jasudavicius <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Miranda Maverick <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Katlyn Cerminara <strong><em>-5<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Jessica Andrade (started No. 6)<br \/>\u2013 Lauren Murphy (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Viviane Araujo (started No. 13)<br \/>\u2013 Jennifer Maia (started No. 14)<br \/>\u2013 Ariane Lipski (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-12\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Women&#8217;s bantamweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2552\" height=\"1828\" alt data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Julianna-Pena-def.-Raquel-Pennington-UFC-307-380-e1734730359541.jpg?w=255&#038;h=182\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2024\/10\/Julianna-Pena-def.-Raquel-Pennington-UFC-307-380-e1734730359541.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p>Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Julianna Pena (blue gloves) celebrates after winning the women\u2019s bantamweight title bout against Raquel Pennington (not pictured) during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Women\u2019s bantamweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/kayla-harrison\">Kayla Harrison<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Harrison began the year unranked and ends at No. 3 following a 2-0 year, which included her bantamweight and UFC debuts. She defeated Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. <\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s bantamweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/jennifer-maia\">Jennifer Maia<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Maia\u2019s fall from No. 10 to No. 15 came after her exit from the UFC, although she put together a 2-0 year with wins over Mayra Cantuaria and Talita Bernardo in Invicta. <\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s bantamweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Julianna Pe\u00f1a \u2013<strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Raquel Pennington \u2013<br \/>3. Kayla Harrison <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>4. Ketlen Vieira <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>5. Norma Dumont <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Irene Aldana <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>7. Macy Chiasson <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>8. Mayra Bueno Silva <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Holly Holm <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Miesha Tate <strong><em>-3<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Karol Rosa <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Julia Avila <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Pannie Kianzad <strong><em>-4<\/em><\/strong><br \/>14. Ailin Perez <strong><em>UR<\/em><\/strong><br \/>15. Jennifer Maia <strong><em>-5<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>\u2013 Yana Santos (started No. 11)<br \/>\u2013 Joselyne Edwards (started No. 12)<br \/>\u2013 Irina Alekseeva (started No. 13)<br \/>\u2013 Stephanie Egger (started No. 14)<br \/>\u2013 Talita Bernardo (started No. 15)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"listicle-13\">\n<h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Women&#8217;s featherweight<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"600\" alt   data-old-src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?w=100&#038;h=60\" src=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?resize=640,384 640w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?resize=768,461 768w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?resize=347,208 347w, https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/10\/Cris-Cyborg-Bellator-300-post-fight.jpg?resize=480,288 480w\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Women\u2019s featherweight biggest rise: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/sara-collins\">Sara Collins<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Collins started the year at No. 12 and ended at No. 4 following a 1-0 year which included a submission win over Leah McCourt.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s featherweight biggest fall: <a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/tag\/kayla-harrison\">Kayla Harrison<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Harrison\u2019s fall from No. 9 to No. 11 was due to inactivity in the division after committing to a move to bantamweight to join the UFC.<\/p>\n<p>Women\u2019s featherweight movement from beginning to end of 2024:<\/p>\n<p>1. Cris Cyborg \u2013<strong> <\/strong><br \/>2. Larissa Pacheco \u2013<br \/>3. Cat Zingano \u2013<br \/>4. Sara Collins <strong><em>+8<\/em><\/strong><br \/>5. Leah McCourt <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>6. Sara McMann <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>7. Arlene Blencowe <em><strong>-1<\/strong><\/em><br \/>8. Norma Dumont <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>9. Olena Kolesnyk <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>10. Aspen Ladd <strong><em>\u2013<\/em><\/strong><br \/>11. Kayla Harrison <strong><em>-2<\/em><\/strong><br \/>12. Julia Budd <strong><em>-1<\/em><\/strong><br \/>13. Sinead Kavanagh \u2013<br \/>14. Marina Mokhnatkina \u2013<br \/>15. Pam Sorenson \u2013<\/p>\n<p>Fighters present at beginning of 2024, now removed:<\/p>\n<p>None<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><i><span dir=\"ltr\">Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mmajunkie\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> page and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MMAJunkieOfficial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a> channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> Matthew Wells <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/mmajunkie.usatoday.com\/lists\/usa-today-sports-mma-junkie-rankings-review-biggest-movers-in-2024\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The landscape of MMA changes rapidly. Every year new champions are crowned and new contenders emerge. Some veterans compete to maintain their spot among the elite while others decide to hang up the gloves. Each week throughout the year, the USA TODAY Sports\/MMA Junkie global rankings reflect the ever-changing landscape as each division and pound-for-pound<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":827536,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[192,695],"tags":[6810,6293],"class_list":{"0":"post-827535","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-today","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-today"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/827535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=827535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/827535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/827536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=827535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=827535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=827535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}