| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Ciryl Gane | 11-1 | L-W-W | ||
| #2 | Curtis Blaydes | 20-2 | W-W-W | ||
| #3 | Sergei Pavlovich | 17-1 | W-W-W | ||
| #4 | Tom Aspinall | 12-3 | W-W-W | ||
| #5 | Tai Tuivasa | 14-5 | L-L-W | ||
| #6 | Alexander Volkov | 35-10 | W-L-W | ||
| #7 | Marcin Tybura | 24-7 | W-W-L | ||
| #8 | Sergey Spivak | 16-3 | W-W-W | ||
| #9 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | 12-4 | W-L-L | ||
| #10 | Derrick Lewis | 26-11 | L-L-L |
The UFC heavyweight rankings are one of the most popular lists in the sport. Despite the big guys not being the quickest and most technical, the weight class remains a favorite because of the consistent knockouts that come from the most powerful fighters in the sport. However, unlike generations past, the current crop of elite heavyweights are some of the most talented that the industry has ever seen.
Related: UFC Tonight – Fight card, betting odds, and watch times for the next UFC event
With that in mind, let’s take a look at where the best of the best land in the official Sportsnaut.com UFC heavyweight rankings.
10. Derrick Lewis (26-11)
Just when recent interim title challenger Derrick Lewis seemed back on track, Tai Tuivasa derailed it all. His stunning KO loss to the New Zealander in February sent show waves through the division and dropped him out of the top five for the first time in years. At UFC 277, the losing streak continued with a stunning KO loss to Sergei Pavlovich. The era of “The Black Beast” being a perennial top-five fighter may be over.
The UFC veteran returned to the Octagon looking to end his losing skid in February. Unfortunately, he was dominated in the grappling game by rising young talent Sergey Spivak as the Moldovan made easy work of him with a first-round submission.
Lewis is now in the midst of the longest losing streak of his career and is on the brink of losing a spot in our UFC heavyweight rankings.
- Next Fight: TBD
9. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-4)
After winning his first round in the Octagon in spectacular fashion, Jairzinho Rozenstruikhas lost four of his last six and two by knockout. With the competition getting stiffer, the Suriname native has not been able to rise to the occasion. In December he got another chance to prove himself against top 15 talent Chris Daukaus.
“Bigi Boy” ended his losing streak in a major way with a 23-second drubbing of the Philly native at UFC 282. It was a much-needed victory after losing four of his last six.
- Next Fight: TBD
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8. Sergey Spivak (16-3)
After losing two of his first three in the organization, Sergey Spivak has rounded into a very talented competitor in the UFC heavyweight division. Scoring notable wins over battle-tested veterans like Augusto Sakai and Alexey Oleynik during a run of five victories in six bouts.
The Moldovan extended that streak at UFC Vegas 68 with the biggest win of his career when he completely manhandled Derrick Lewis with his wrestling and made the former title challenger tap in the opening round. It proved that the “Polar Bear” is a serious talent and only getting better.
- Next Fight: TBD
7. Marcin Tybura (24-7)
Marcin Tybura has been a stalwart of the heavyweight top 15 for the better part of the last two years and deserves it after winning six of his last seven. With the most recent being an August decision victory over Alexander Romanov. “Tybur” is not flashy whatsoever, however, he is a well-rounded and sound fighter who is a tough out for any competitor in the division.
In February he continued his recent hot streak with a workman-like win over Blagoy Ivanov at UFC Vegas 68. The victory was his seventh in his last eight UFC appearances. He may not be the most electrifying fighter in the division, but he is as sound a talent as there is at heavyweight.
- Next Fight: TBD
6. Alexander Volkov (35-10)
Alexander Volkov has been a top-level MMA heavyweight for a long time. He proved it once again with a destructive victory over a man thought to be a better striker in Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Vegas 56. The Russian may never be a UFC champion, but he remains one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world and a serious challenge for any competitor who faces him.
Volkov will get to prove that on March 11 in a showdown with fellow Russian and top-15 level talent Alexander Romanov.
- Next fight: vs. Alexander Romanov on March 11
5. Tai Tuivasa (14-5)
Tai Tuivasa is one of the most well-liked fighters in the UFC heavyweight division. The Aussie is never in a boring fight, and after a three-fight skid between 2018 and 2019, he rose back up the rankings and into legitimate title contender status. However, back-to-back knockout losses to the division’s elite, including at UFC Orlando to Sergei Pavlovich, has sent “Bam Bam” down a few pegs in our UFC heavyweight rankings.
- Next Fight: TBD
4. Tom Aspinall (12-3)
Englishman Tom Aspinall is one of the hottest fighters in the division having won nine straight, and five in the UFC — all by finish. His UFC London easy-work win over Alexander Volkov sent a clear message to the industry. At July’s follow-up London card he faced his first bad luck in a long time when he suffered a serious knee injury just seconds into his bout with Curtis Blaydes. While it’s listed as a loss on his record, Aspinall’s tough luck does not diminish his place in the division as an elite talent and fast-rising star.
- Next Fight: TBD
3. Sergei Pavlovich (17-1)
Following a difficult UFC debut loss to Alistair Overeem four years ago, Sergei Pavlovich has been one of the hottest fighters in the division since. Earning five-straight knockouts, with the latest coming against another battle-tested power punching star in Tai Tuivasa at UFC Orlando.
If there were any doubters after the Russian dismantled Derrick Lewis earlier this year, his 54-second TKO win over Tuivasa solidified he is a serious force in the division and could be in a title fight in 2023.
- Next Fight: TBD
2. Curtis Blaydes (16-3)
Curtis Blaydes held on to his spot in the top five at UFC Columbus and once again proved why he is one of the most underappreciated elite talents at heavyweight. He is a complete fighter with uncanny cardio and it takes the best the weight class has to offer to beat him. At UFC London he had a chance to elevate his place in the division, however, while Tom Aspinall’s sudden knee injury handed “Razor” a victory it did little to increase his status in the weight class.
- Next Fight: TBD
1. Ciryl Gane (11-1)
Ciryl Gane is the best heavyweight in the world not named Francis Ngannou. And the fact that the reigning champion had to become a wrestler to beat him confirms his place as the best striker in the division as well.
The Frenchman proved it once again in another display of his amazing striking talents against Tuivasa in the UFC Paris main event and showcased why he is a special competitor. He also showed his heart by legitimately getting knocked down and hurt, but fighting back ferociously.
Now, “Bon Gamin” will get the ultimate boss test in February when he battles UFC GOAT Jon Jones, in his division debut, for the vacant heavyweight title.
- Next Fight: vs. Jon Jones on Mar. 4 at UFC 285
