Top 15 UFC Light Heavyweight Fighters in 2025
In the ever-evolving world of UFC, the Light Heavyweight rankings have always been exciting and unpredictable. It's time to take a look at the top 15 fighters who are making waves in the Light Heavyweight Rankings in 2025.
From power punchers to slick submission artists, these fighters have what it takes to captivate audiences and climb the ranks. Join us as we explore the talents and strengths of the best of the 205-pound division, and see why they reign supreme in this action-packed weight class.
Top 15 Light Heavyweight Fighters
Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion - Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev is the newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Ankalaev's explosive power and devastating striking ability have helped him climb to the top as a star in the 205-pound division.
With a remarkable record of 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw - Ankalaev has a reputation for delivering spectacular finishes. That being said, Ankalaev won his most recent fight against Alex Pereira by way of unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March 2025, when he challenged Pereira for the Championship belt.
It was a 5-Round fight that went the distance. Although the judge's decision has been called controversial by fans and announcers, Ankalaev is scheduled to rematch Poatan Pereira at UFC 320 to settle the score.
#1 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Alex Pereira
Alex "Poatan" Pereira is the number 1-ranked Light Heavyweight fighter in the UFC. After winning his fight against Jiří Procházka in November 2023, Pereira surpassed expectations by becoming 1 of 9 fighters in UFC history to hold a championship belt in two different weight classes.
Pereira was unable to defend his Championship title at UFC 313, where Pereira lost to Magomed Ankalaev by unanimous decision. There have been rumors of a potential rematch, but no official announcements have been made.
#2 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Jiří Procházka
Jiří Procházka has been known as a human highlight reel in the 205-pound division. Procházka is currently ranked number 2 in the LHW division.
Procházka fought and defeated Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 300 with Procházka walking away as the winner by TKO in Round 2. Then, in June 2024, Procházka lost by head kick KO during the second round of his bout with Alex Pereira.
Next, at UFC 311, Procházka TKO'd Jamahal Hill, marking Procházka's 31st MMA career victory. A former RIZIN champion, Procházka brings an eclectic energy to the Octagon, making him an exciting mixed martial artist to watch, no matter who he faces.
#3 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Carlos Ulberg
Carlos Ulberg has been fighting in the UFC since March 2021. Since winning Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses (one each), Ulberg has earned a professional record of 12 wins and 1 loss.
Ulberg faced off against fellow Top 15, 205-pounder, Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo in November 2024 and won the fight by unanimous decision. Then, in March 2025, Ulberg deafeated Jan Błachowicz by Unanimous decision in London, England.
Ulberg is scheduled to compete against Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth on September 27, 2025.
#4 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Khalil Rountree Jr.
Khalil Rountree Jr. is an American mixed martial artist with a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 6 losses. Known for his knockout power and turning his life around by training martial arts, Rountree is one of the most entertaining fighters to watch, period.
With a background in Muay Thai, he later transitioned to MMA, earning his contract with the UFC. His TKO knockout victory at UFC 296 against Anthony Smith moved him up in the rankings.
At UFC 307, Rountree fought for almost 4 Rounds against Alex Pereira for the Championship belt. Rountree was unable to sustain the pace he started the fight off with and lost by TKO near the end of the Fourth Round.
Then, in June 2025, Rountree won a Unanimous Decision victory against Jamahal Hill after 5 Rounds.
#5 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Jan Błachowicz
With his technical prowess and savvy fighting style, Jan Błachowicz has proven himself to be a formidable opponent. As the current champion, Błachowicz's calculated approach and devastating striking make him a threat to anyone who steps in the Octagon with him.
At UFC 291, Błachowicz lost by split decision to former champion, Alex Pereira. Then, Błachowicz lost to Carlos Ulberg at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady which brought his professional MMA record to 29 wins and 11 losses.
#6 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Jamahal Hill
Jamahal Hill is now ranked number 6 in the 205-pound division. After recovering from an injury and returning for his next fight, Hill suffered a KO loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300 in April 2024.
Then, at UFC 311 in January 2025, Hill was TKO'd by Jiří Procházka near the end of Round 3. This loss was followed by another loss when Hill faced off against Khalil Rountree Jr. and was unsuccessful. Today, Hill's professional MMA record is 12 wins and 4 losses.
#7 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Dominick Reyes
Dominick Reyes has been competing in the UFC since his Fight Night debut back in June, 2017. His professional MMA record of 15 wins and 4 losses was hard fought and well deserved.
Reyes' latest victory came against Nikita Kyrlov at UFC 314 in April 2025, where Dominick won with a First-Round KO. Reyes is scheduled to fight Carlos Ulberg at UFC Perth in Septemper 2025.
#8 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Aleksandar Rakić
UFC LHW contender, Aleksandar Rakić, brings a strong presence to the Octagon. Since joining the UFC in 2017, Rakić has quickly risen through the ranks, showcasing his athleticism and fight IQ.
After losing to Jiří Procházka in April 2024 at UFC 300, Rakić faced off against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308, where he lost by unanimous decision. Now, Rakić has a professional MMA record of 14 wins and 5 losses.
#9 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Volkan Oezdemir
UFC powerhouse, Volkan Oezdemir, is an exciting fighter with dangerous knockout power. His aggressive fighting style has earned him a consistent spot in the Top 15 rankings.
At UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov in June 2024, Oezdemir defeated Johnny Walker by knockout just over 2 minutes into Round 1.
Then, Oezdemir lost to Carlos Ulberg a few months later in November 2024. Volkan's professional MMA record is now 20 wins and 8 losses.
#10 Ranked UFC Light Heavyweight - Azamat Murzakanov
Back in August, 2021 Azamat Murzakanov was featured on Dana White's Contender Series 37. Azamat won his most recent competition against Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 316. Azamat defeated Ribeiro by TKO near the end of Round 1.
Today, Murzakanov has an undefeated professional MMA record of 15 wins and 0 losses.
We Regularly Update Our Rankings
We update our rankings when new fighters move up into the Top 15 (or get pushed out), so come back again to check for shifts in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings throughout the year!
