Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Charles Oliveira wanted to prove he belonged at the forefront of the title discussion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division. Consider that mission accomplished.

Oliveira dominated — and nearly finished — former interim title holder Tony Ferguson in the UFC 256 co-headliner, winning a lopsided unanimous verdict at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night. With the win, “Do Bronx” moves to No. 4 in Sherdog’s latest lightweight rankings, and he’s breathing down third-ranked Justin Gaethje’s neck thanks to an eight-bout winning streak that features seven finishes. Oliveira has already called his next shot: a meeting with the winner of the Conor McGregor-Dustin Poirier showdown at UFC 257.

It was also a weekend for new blood in our divisional rankings, as we’d like to welcome new Bellator flyweight queen Juliana Velasquez (No. 2 at 125 pounds), Ciryl Gane (No. 10 at heavyweight) and Kevin Holland (No. 10 at middleweight) to the Top 10 of their respective divisions for the first time.

Note: Previous rankings listed in parentheses.

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