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 - Jon Jones
Inside the octagon, Jon Jones is known for his unparalleled skills, strategic brilliance, and an unyielding fighting spirit. Jones has dominated the Heavyweight division.
Jon Jones' UFC journey is a highlight reel of epic moments. From his breathtaking spinning elbow against Stephan Bonnar to iconic battles with Daniel Cormier, each fight etches his legacy.
Notorious for dynamic strikes that are tough to predict and unmatched grappling, Jones proved himself as a true UFC legend again when he knocked Stipe Miocic out with a spinning back kick at UFC 309 in November 2024.
#1 Heavyweight - Tom Aspinall (Interim Champ)
Tom Aspinall has lightning-fast hands and a solid ground game. His success in the Octagon, so far, highlights his exceptional skills and potential for even more future greatness. Raised in a region known for producing tough fighters, Aspinall began his combat sports journey in boxing before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
Aspinall's early career showcased his raw talent, and his impressive performances on the regional circuit quickly caught the attention of the UFC. While making his promotional debut in July 2020, Aspinall secured a first-round submission victory over Jake Collier, marking the beginning of his ascent to Heavyweight Interim Champ.
Standing at 6'5" with a fluid combination of speed and power, Aspinall possesses all the right tools to threaten opponents on the feet. Since joining the UFC, Tom Aspinall has a professional record of 15 wins and 3 losses.
In July 2024, Aspinall successfully defended his Heavyweight Interim Champion belt title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.
#2 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-influenced MMA style is supplemented 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.
#3 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, it was 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 upper echelons of 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.
#4 Heavyweight - Sergei Pavlovich
Sergei Pavlovich has a professional MMA record of 18 wins and 3 losses. Known for his explosive power and relentless approach to fighting, Pavlovich made a name for himself before joining the UFC.
With a background in boxing and Combat Sambo, he has a well-rounded skill set that transitioned seamlessly into mixed martial arts. Pavlovich signed with the UFC in 2018, and his debut against Alistair Overeem showcased his striking skills and raw strength.
Despite losing his UFC debut fight, Pavlovich rebounded with a TKO victory over Marcelo Golm in his second UFC appearance. Standing at 6'3" with a solid frame, Pavlovich's aggressive fighting style and knockout power have made him an exciting addition to the UFC's Heavyweight division.
His most recent loss against Alexander Volkov ended after three rounds at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov. Through all the victories and setbacks, Pavlovich has shown resilience and commitment to improvement.
#5 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 a relentless and effective ground-and-pound style.
Debuting in the UFC in 2016, Blaydes quickly garnered attention with his powerful takedowns and striking. His wrestling skills, sharpened at Harper College, have been a defining aspect of his success, allowing him to control and overpower opponents in the cage.
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 Interim Champ, Tom Aspinall in a KO victory, putting his professional record at 18 wins and 5 losses.
#6 Heavyweight - Jailton Almeida
UFC Heavyweight Jailton Almeida is quickly making a name for himself within the competitive realm of mixed martial arts at the highest level. Still a relative newcomer to the UFC, Almeida possesses an impressive skill set that underscores his potential to rise to considerable prominence.
Standing at 6'4", this Brazilian fighter has a training background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Boxing, exemplifying the dynamic, versatile nature of his style in the Octagon. Almeida paved a substantial path for himself through his successful bouts in regional tournaments and is seeing continued success in the UFC.
Almeida won his most recent bout against Alexander Romanov (by submission) at UFC 302. Almeida's record now sits at 21 wins and 3 losses.
#7 Heavyweight - Serghei Spivac
Serghei "Polar Bear" Spivac, was born in Chișinău, Moldova, and has a background in judo and a decorated amateur 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 weighing around 260 pounds, Spivac has secured wins by knockout and submission, demonstrating his versatility in the Octagon.
Spivac's journey in the UFC has seen him face tough opponents, including Greg Hardy and Marcin Tybura. Spivac has been a consistent presence in the Heavyweight division since his debut and currently has a professional record of 17 wins and 4 losses.
#8 Heavyweight - Marcin Tybura
The Polish powerhouse, Marcin Tybura, has established himself as a true contender in the UFC's Heavyweight division. With a diverse skill set and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tybura made his UFC debut in 2016 and quickly rose through to the Top 10 rankings.
Standing at 6'3" and weighing around 250 pounds, Tybura's ability to seamlessly transition between disciplines has led to victories over notable opponents, including Serghei Spivac and Tai Tuivasa, showcasing his versatility in the octagon.
Throughout his MMA career with the UFC, Tybura has faced some of the division's toughest competitors, earning himself 25 wins and 9 losses. Tybura won his most recent fight against Jhonata Diniz at UFC 309 in November 2024 by way of TKO via doctor's stoppage at the end of Round 2.
#9 Heavyweight - Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jairzinho Rozenstruik joined the UFC back in 2019 and went on a 4-fight win streak until he was defeated by Francis Ngannou in 2019.
Since then, Rozenstruik has shared the Octagon with the biggest names in the division (no pun intended). At UFC 305, Rozenstruik fought Tai Tuivasa with Rozenstruik being declared the winner by split decision.
Rozenstruik has a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 5 losses. His next opponent has not been decided.
#10 Heavyweight - Derrick Lewis
Derrick Lewis aka "The Black Beast" has an impressive amount of fights with a professional record of 28 wins and 12 losses. Lewis won his most recent fight against Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento in May 2024.
This victory added yet another knockout to his already record-setting 15 career knockouts in the UFC. As of now, Lewis' next opponent has not been decided.
His fans love his one-of-a-kind, post-fight celebration. (A celebration that may or may not involve him removing one of the few articles of clothing he's wearing in the Octagon.)
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 (or sign up for updates) 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.
