Mackenzie Dern, Islam Makhachev solidify positions in divisional top 10s

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          Islam Makhachev makes history with 17th straight UFC win (1:02)

          • Brett OkamotoAug 18, 2026, 09:00 AM ET
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              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.
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          There were two title fights at UFC 330 on Saturday, and both the main and co-main events pitted a champion against a challenger also ranked by ESPN in the division's top 10.

          In both cases, the reigning champ -- Islam Makhachev at welterweight, Mackenzie Dern at strawweight -- retained their belt, with challengers Ian Machado Garry and Gillian Robertson persevering to the final horn.

          As a result, all four fighters remain right where they were in the rankings before the weekend. Makhachev and Machado Garry are Nos. 1 and 2 at 170 pounds, and Dern is No. 2 at 115, with Robertson ranked fifth. No other ranked fighters were in action.

          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 Aug. 18. 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)