The Division of High Stakes and Punishing Consequence
In 2025, the UFC Heavyweight Rankings are constantly changing as each matchup unfolds. The 265-pound division has a rich championship history with brutal takedowns, devastating KOs and shocking upsets.
Whether you’re a long-time MMA fan or complete newbie, you can't ignore the Heavyweight roster. Here are the Top 15 fighters that are currently competing for the Championship belt.
Top 15 Heavyweights
Current Heavyweight Champion - Tom Aspinall
When Jon Jones retired and vacated the Heavyweight title in June 2025, Tom Aspinall stepped up and became Champion. Born and raised in England, Aspinall began his combat sports journey at just seven years old.
Aspinall's early career with BAMMA and Cage Warriors quickly caught the attention of the UFC. While making his promotional debut with the UFC in July 2020, Aspinall secured a first-round submission victory over Jake Collier, marking the beginning of his ascent to Heavyweight Champ.
Standing at 6'5", Aspinall has secured 12 wins by knockout and 3 by submission. In July 2024, Aspinall fought Curtis Blaydes, with Aspinall successfully defending his Heavyweight (Interim) Champion title at UFC 304.
Aspinall's first title defense as the 265-pound champion is scheduled for UFC 321 in October 2025. As of now, Tom Aspinall has a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 3 losses.
#1 Heavyweight - Ciryl Gane
Coming from a professional kickboxing background, Ciryl Gane started his professional MMA journey in 2018 and quickly gained attention for his ability to stand with some of the division's most competitive fighters. Before entering the UFC, Gane had a flawless record fighting for promotions like TKO and ACB.
Gane's won his Octagon debut in August 2019 by submission. Gane's kickboxing style is enhanced by his natural reach advantage.
After defeating Alexander Volkov by split decision in December 2024, Gane has a professional MMA record of 13 wins 2 losses.
#2 Heavyweight - Alexander Volkov
Standing at 6'7", Alexander Volkov made his UFC debut in 2016, quickly earning attention with a series of impressive performances. Volkov's background in kickboxing and a successful stint in Bellator showcased his striking expertise, while his adaptability in MMA has been a key factor in his success.
Early on, a defining moment in Volkov's career came in 2018 after he secured a dramatic, last-second knockout victory over Fabricio Werdum. This win catapulted him into the Heavyweight rankings.
Volkov has fought some of the division's toughest competitors, including Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane. At UFC 310, Volkov lost his last fight against Ciryl Gane by split decision.
#3 Heavyweight - Sergei Pavlovich
Sergei Pavlovich has a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 3 losses. Before joining the UFC, Pavlovich had already established himself as a legitimate knockout artist.
With a background in boxing and Combat Sambo, Pavlovich has a well-rounded skill set that directly translated into mixed martial arts. Pavlovich signed with the UFC in 2018, and his debut against Alistair Overeem showcased his striking skills and physicality.
Despite losing his UFC debut fight, Pavlovich rebounded with a TKO victory over Marcelo Golm in his second UFC appearance. During his last outing, Pavlovich won a unanimous decision victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov.
#4 Heavyweight - Curtis Blaydes
Curtis "Razor" Blaydes has been a dominant force in the division since 2016. A standout collegiate wrestler, Blaydes transitioned his grappling prowess into mixed martial arts, showcasing an effective ground-and-pound style that's tough to defend against.
Since his debut years ago, Blaydes has used his wrestling skills, sharpened at Harper College, as a defining aspect of his success, allowing him to control and overpower opponents in the Octagon.
Blaydes has faced elite competition in the Heavyweight division, earning victories over Tom Aspinall and Alistair Overeem. His most significant losses have come against top-tier opponents, Francis Ngannou (former UFC) and Sergei Pavlovich.
At UFC 304, Blaydes was defeated by newly-crowned Heavyweight Champ, Tom Aspinall, in a KO victory.
Then, Blaydes followed the loss up with his 19th victory, defeating Rizvan Kuniev by split decision in June 2025. This updated his professional record to 19 wins and 5 losses.
#5 Heavyweight - Jailton Almeida
UFC Heavyweight Jailton Almeida officially joined the UFC after performing on Dana White's Contender Series in 2021. Since his debut, Almeida has been on a nearly unbeatable streak, only losing one out of his last nine fights in the Octagon.
Towering at 6'4", Almeida has a training background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing, exemplifying the mixed aspect of his style in the Octagon.
Almeida won his most recent bout against Serghei Spivac at UFC 311 by TKO near the end of Round 1. Almeida's record now sits at 22 wins and 3 losses.
#6 Heavyweight - Waldo Cortes Acosta
Waldo Cortes Acosta made his UFC debut in October 2022 securing his first Octagon victory against Jared Vanderaa. Since then, "Salsa Boy" has only lost one fight.
Last time Acosta made an appearance in the Octagon, he faced off against Serghei Spivac. After 5 hard-fought rounds, Acosta was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
After this victory, Salsa Boy has a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 1 loss.
#7 Heavyweight - Marcin Tybura
The Polish powerhouse, Marcin Tybura, has has a long and storied career in the UFC's 265-pound division. With his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tybura made his UFC debut in 2016 and quickly rose to the Top 10 Rankings.
Standing at 6'3" and weighing around 250 pounds, Tybura's pure physicality and ability to adapt has led to victories over other Octagon veterans, Serghei Spivac and Tai Tuivasa.
Throughout his MMA career with the UFC, Tybura has earned himself a professional MMA record of 25 wins and 9 losses. In March 2025, Tybura won his 3-Round fight with Mick Parkin.
#8 Heavyweight - Serghei Spivac
Serghei "Polar Bear" Spivac, was born in Chișinău, Moldova, and has a background in judo leading to a fairly decorated MMA career. Spivac made his UFC debut in 2018, which didn't go according to plan, since he lost the bout.
Standing at 6'3" and usually weighing in around 260 pounds, Spivac has secured 7 wins by knockout and 8 by submission. Spivac's journey in the UFC has had several peaks and valleys throughout the years.
Despite that, Spivac has been a consistent presence in the Heavyweight division and has a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 6 losses.
#9 Heavyweight - Derrick Lewis
Derrick Lewis aka "The Black Beast" has an impressive amount of fights with a professional MMA record of 29 wins and 12 losses. Lewis won his most recent fight against top 15-ranked Tallison Teixeira at UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira in July 2025.
This victory added yet another knockout to his already record-setting 16 career knockouts in the UFC. As of now, Lewis' next opponent has not been decided.
The Black Beast's fans love his one-of-a-kind, post-fight celebration. A celebration that involves him (partially) undressing in the Octagon.
#10 Heavyweight - Tai Tuivasa
Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa is a fan favorite with a professional mixed martial arts record of 14 wins and 8 losses. At UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura in March 2024, Tuivasa lost the fight after being submitted with a rear-naked choke.
This loss marked Tuivasa's fourth loss in a row, but his corner was rooting for a win to break the streak. At UFC 305 in August 2024, Tuivasa fought fellow Top 15 Heavyweight, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, where Tuivasa lost again, thist time by split decision.
Stay Current with the Heavyweight Division
The UFC Heavyweight Rankings constantly evolve, but one thing remains true—the Heavyweight division is always entertaining. Come back again to stay in the loop with the rankings.
Whether you're a seasoned fight fan or MMA casual, it's impossible to ignore rising stars like Tom Aspinall and established UFC legends like Stipe Miocic. As fighters climb, fall, and rise again, the rankings represent more than just numbers—they're a reflection of the blood, sweat, and glory that define professional mixed martial arts.
