MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Top 10 Fighters in 2023

Who’s number one?

No one in MMA had a year like Sean O’Malley.

O’Malley catapulted himself into a new tier of stardom in 2023, defeating Aljamain Sterling over the summer and crowning himself the new bantamweight champion. That was the Performance of the Night at UFC 292 in August, and it was the performance of the year. Though O’Malley fought only once this year, he made the most of his time in the cage–and became the UFC’s newest sensation.

O’Malley tops the Top 10 list, which is subjective, but there is a formula to the madness. It is built around a fighter’s contributions over the course of the year, with wins playing a major factor–as well as the caliber of opponent, stage, and stake of the bout. The sheer magnitude of O’Malley’s title victory cemented him as number-one, though he did have plenty of competition.

Here is the Top 10 in MMA from 2023:

#10: Patchy Mix

2023 record: 2-0

Defeated Raufeon Stots by KO in April at Bellator 295; defeated Sergio Pettis by submission in November at Bellator 301

Over the past year, Patchy Mix elevated himself to a new level in Bellator. Now that Bellator is part of the PFL, Mix will have a new platform in 2024.

Mix knocked out Raufeon Stots in only 80 seconds in April, but what was even more impressive was his thorough dismantling of Sergio Pettis in November. Surgically and methodically, Mix pieced Pettis apart before making him tap, crowning himself the new undisputed bantamweight champion.

Is Mix the best 135-pound fighter in the world? We’ll get a better answer to that question in the coming year, but he left no doubt in 2023 that he belongs in the conversation.

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#9: Amanda Nunes

2023 record: 1-0

Defeated Irene Aldana by unanimous decision in June at UFC 289

Amanda Nunes retired in 2023, winning her lone bout when she absolutely shredded Irene Aldana (yes, the same Irene Aldana who looked like a modern-day warrior in her bloodbath victory earlier this month against Karol Rosa).

Nunes was intended to fight Julianna Peña, but a rib injury prevented Peña from competing in the trilogy bout. In all likelihood, the opponent would not have mattered. For one last time, we were witness to the brilliance of Nunes–her vicious kicks and striking blows, and her dominance once she gained control on the ground.

During our interview a few weeks after the fight, Nunes revealed that her legs have nerve damage from her career.

“I don’t see myself back in the cage any time soon,” said Nunes. “I am looking forward to a break. My body needs this.”

The break–whether temporary or permanent–is well deserved. Nunes retires as one of the greatest to ever step into the cage, and she left in style in 2023.

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#8: Sean Strickland

2023 record: 3-0

Defeated Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision in January at UFC Fight Night; defeated Abus Magomedov by TKO in July at UFC on ESPN; defeated Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision in September at UFC 293

A year ago, who could have predicted Sean Strickland’s meteoric rise in the UFC?

Entering 2023, Strickland had dropped two in a row, wiping out all the momentum he had built from a six-fight win streak. But the new year brought new opportunity, and Strickland returned on short-notice to defeat Nassourdine Imavov in January. He outclassed Abus Magomedov in July, then served up his masterpiece–defeating Israel Adesanya–in September.

The reigning middleweight champion, Strickland will defend the belt against Dricus du Plessis next month at UFC 297. If his 2024 is anything like his 2023, Strickland could become one of the biggest stars in the sport.

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#7: Alex Pereira

2023 record: 2-1

Lost to Israel Adesanya by knockout in April at UFC 287; defeated Jan Blachowicz by split decision in July at UFC 291; defeated Jiri Prochazka by TKO in November at UFC 295

It isn’t how you start–it’s how you finish. That familiar adage applied perfectly to Alex Pereira’s past year.

Pereira’s first fight ended in heartbreak when Israel Adesanya knocked him out, finally getting the better of his longtime rival. Instead of pursuing a trilogy bout against Adesanya, a new goal was set: become light heavyweight champion. Pereira moved to the new division, and within two fights, he became the light heavyweight champion.

The rise of Pereira in the UFC is remarkable. After a storied career in kickboxing (GLORY inducted Pereira into their Hall of Fame earlier this year), he has won six of his seven fights in the Octagon, including two title fights. He has yet to successfully defend his belt, however, which is on the top of his goals for the new year.

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#6: Alexandre Pantoja

2023 record: 2-0

Defeated Brandon Moreno by split decision in July at UFC 290; defeated Brandon Royval by unanimous decision in December at UFC 296

Alexandre Pantoja reached vaunted territory in 2023, winning the flyweight championship and then making a successful defense of the belt.

Long overlooked in the division, Pantoja made the most of his first-ever UFC title shot in July. With blood in his eyes, Pantoja defeated Brandon Moreno for the second time, this time taking his belt. He then dominated Brandon Royval for four of the five rounds of their fight earlier this month.

Pantoja has the chance to have a lengthy title reign. After much back-and-forth between Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo, who continued to trade the belt to one another, the flyweight division finally found stability with Pantoja as champion.

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#5: Islam Makhachev

2023 record: 2-0

Defeated Alexander Volkanovski by unanimous decision in February at UFC 284; defeated Volkanovski by knockout in October at UFC 294

Maybe Islam Makhachev should be higher on this list. He did exactly what he needed to do in 2023, defeating Alexander Volkanovski on two separate occasions. The first victory was exceptionally close, but Makhachev avenged that, knocking out Volkanovski in their rematch in October.

Yet a certain element is missing from Makhachev’s success, particularly over this past year. The first fight–with Volkanovski moving to lightweight–highlighted Makhachev’s vulnerabilities. In the rematch, Volkanovski filled in on short notice after Charles Oliveira could no longer fight, which was a legitimate long shot–but one Volkanovski could not pass up. While it was a dominant showing, it also highlighted how Makhachev too often plays with a stacked deck.

Makhachev is in for an interesting 2024. His top contenders are Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Justin Gaethje. If he defeats two or three of those challengers this year, it will be difficult not to recognize Makhachev’s place as an all-time great.

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#4: Alexander Volkanovski

2023 record: 1-2

Lost to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision in February at UFC 284; defeated Yair Rodriguez by TKO in July at UFC 290; lost to Makhachev by knockout in October at UFC 294

The only losing record from 2023 on this list belongs to Alexander Volkanovski.

He battled valiantly in defeat against Islam Makhachev in February, nearly defeating the seemingly unstoppable lightweight champion. The sight of Volkanovski in top position pounding Makhachev as the fight ended was a genuine shock, as no one had ever been able to put Makhachev in that precarious position.

Volkanovski defended his featherweight title over the summer, hardly breaking a sweat while dismantling Yair Rodriguez. He faltered badly in the rematch against Makhachev, and he clearly was not in shape to compete after less than two weeks to prepare. Yet Volkanovski added a great deal of excitement when he accepted the fight, bringing life to MMA all calendar year.

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#3: Alexa Grasso

2023 record: 1-0-1

Defeated Valentina Shevchenko by submission in March at UFC 285; fought Shevchenko to a split draw in September at UFC Fight Night

Alexa Grasso was supposed to be another stepping stone for Valentina Shevchenko. But that narrative was rewritten in March as Grasso became a UFC champion by pummeling Shevchenko and making her tap out at UFC 285.

That victory capped a six-fight win streak, and it made Grasso the new women’s flyweight champion. She was nearly too much for Shevchenko in the rematch, going the distance in a bout that was ruled a split draw. Grasso’s reign continues, but she will have to put away Shevchenko in the new year in order to extend her title reign.

Regardless of what the future holds, Grasso established herself as elite in 2023.

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#2: Tom Aspinall

2023 record: 2-0

Defeated Marcin Tybura by TKO in July at UFC Fight Night; defeated Sergei Pavlovich by knockout in November at UFC 295

A year ago, Tom Aspinall’s career was in doubt. He was recovering from a torn MCL and a tear in parts of his meniscus, as well as a cavalcade of issues with his ACL. That isn’t a recipe for success among championship-driven fighters, yet here we are, twelve months later, and Aspinall is the new interim heavyweight champion.

A dominant victory against Marcin Tybura in July put Aspinall in a prime spot. When Jon Jones was injured and could not defend the heavyweight belt in November, Aspinall stepped in on short notice to battle Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title. Remarkably, Aspinall knocked out the monstrous Pavlovich, carving his name into a list of potential opponents for Jones.

Aspinall is precisely the type of champion needed in the heavyweight division. Only 30, he has the type of power that can match anyone–perhaps even more than Jones–yet also possesses an ability to be versatile on his feet and the ground.

A memorable year has put Aspinall in position to be the face of the UFC by the end of 2024.

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#1: Sean O’Malley

2023 record: 1-0

Defeated Aljamain Sterling by TKO in August at UFC 292

In just under six minutes this summer, Sean O’Malley reached a whole new realm of stardom.

There isn’t anyone in the sport that can rival O’Malley’s charisma. That was further amplified when championship gold was added to his ensemble. O’Malley made a giant leap when he defeated Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in August, generating a response from his title win unlike any other fighter from the past year.

After constantly hearing he hadn’t beaten anyone at the highest level, O’Malley defeated Sterling after ending 2022 with a win over Petr Yan. He is a unique commodity for the UFC–a modern champion in its truest sense, building his brand through social media and connecting with a younger audience.

O’Malley is full of flash with his array of kicks and knockouts. He puts on a show that is distinct and unique from any other fighter in the UFC. This was the most successful year of his career, and it will be fascinating to see the heights he climbs in 2024.