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The UFC featherweight division at 145 pounds has never been deeper or more talented. Ilia Topuria holds the championship after a stunning performance, and the contender pool beneath him is loaded with elite fighters capable of making a title run. Here is a comprehensive look at the UFC featherweight rankings in 2025 and what to expect from the division going forward.

UFC Featherweight Champion: Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria became the UFC featherweight champion with one of the most spectacular title-winning performances in recent memory. Born in Georgia and fighting out of Spain, Topuria is an undefeated prospect-turned-champion whose combination of power, grappling, and pressure has made him one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.

Topuria enters 2025 undefeated as a professional, with a record built on devastating knockouts and controlled wrestling. His reach, frame, and ability to finish fights from any position make him a nightmare matchup for any 145-pounder. He is young, hungry, and showing no signs of a ceiling.

Top Featherweight Contenders

#1 Alexander Volkanovski

Alexander Volkanovski remains one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history despite having lost the championship to Topuria. The Australian champion dominated the division for years, with wins over Max Holloway (twice), Brian Ortega, and Jose Aldo cementing his status as arguably the greatest 145-pounder ever. Volkanovski’s wrestling, pace, and ring generalship make him a perpetual threat to reclaim the title.

#2 Max Holloway

Max Holloway is the most prolific volume striker in UFC featherweight history and a former champion who has remained in the top tier of the division for a decade. His most memorable 2025 contribution includes the stunning knockout of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, earning him the BMF title. “Blessed” brings durability, output, and heart that few fighters can match.

#3 Brian Ortega

Brian “T-City” Ortega is one of the featherweight division’s most dangerous submission artists, with a ground game capable of finishing any fighter in the world. Ortega’s grappling, combined with heavy hands and a chin that seems impervious to punishment, makes him a consistent threat. His battles with Volkanovski and Chan Sung Jung established him as a top-five talent.

#4 Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez is one of the most creative and dangerous strikers in the featherweight division. His unorthodox Taekwondo-influenced style, combined with excellent timing and power, has produced some of the UFC’s most memorable knockouts. The “El Pantera” from Mexico is always capable of ending a fight with any single strike.

#5 Arnold Allen

Arnold Allen from England has built one of the most impressive winning streaks in featherweight history. A complete fighter with excellent boxing, wrestling, and composure, Allen has steadily climbed the rankings by defeating every opponent placed in front of him. A title shot appears to be within reach.

#6 Movsar Evloev

Movsar Evloev is an undefeated featherweight who has impressed with his grinding, wrestling-heavy style. The Russian fighter uses his grappling and physical strength to wear opponents down, and he has yet to lose as a professional MMA fighter. His ceiling is still unknown, making him one of the division’s most intriguing prospects.

#7 Josh Emmett

Josh Emmett is one of the featherweight division’s most dangerous punchers. Compact and powerful, Emmett possesses one-shot knockout power rare at 145 pounds. His losses have typically come against the very best in the division, which is a testament to his consistent placement among the elite.

#8 Sodiq Yusuff

Sodiq Yusuff is a Nigerian-American featherweight known for his athleticism, aggression, and knockout power. He has defeated several ranked opponents on his way up the rankings and continues to develop as a complete fighter. At just 30 years old, his best years may still be ahead of him.

#9 Dan Ige

Dan Ige is a Hawaiian-born featherweight with a durable chin and crowd-pleasing style. His willingness to engage in wars and his ability to take punishment while continuing to fight effectively have made him a fan favorite and a reliable ranking member of the featherweight division.

#10 Calvin Kattar

Calvin Kattar is a technically sound boxer and one of the featherweight division’s most respected competitors. His boxing skills are elite at 145 pounds, and he has shared the cage with the best in the division. Kattar’s durability and heart have been on display in multiple high-profile bouts.

Division Analysis: What Makes Featherweight So Compelling

The UFC featherweight division benefits from having multiple generations of elite talent competing at the same time. The Topuria-Volkanovski-Holloway triangle provides a compelling core of title-level matchups, while fighters like Ortega, Rodriguez, and Emmett ensure that any contender fight can produce a world-class performance.

One of the notable features of the featherweight division is its combination of striking and grappling at a high level. Unlike some divisions dominated by one style, featherweight has produced champions and contenders across the full spectrum of MMA disciplines — wrestlers, strikers, submission specialists, and complete fighters all compete near the top.

Key Matchups to Watch in 2025

The most anticipated matchup in the featherweight division is a potential rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. Volkanovski has stated his intention to reclaim the title, and the case for an immediate rematch is strong given his status as the greatest featherweight in UFC history.

Max Holloway’s path back to the featherweight title is also worth watching. His BMF title win over Gaethje demonstrated that he remains an elite performer, and a Holloway vs. Topuria matchup would be one of the most anticipated title fights the featherweight division has ever seen.

Lower in the rankings, the emergence of Arnold Allen and Movsar Evloev as potential contenders creates fascinating matchup possibilities. Either fighter defeating a top-five opponent could catapult them into title contention and reshape the division’s pecking order.

Historical Context: The Greatest Featherweights in UFC History

The featherweight division has been home to some of the UFC’s most celebrated champions. Jose Aldo held the championship for nearly a decade and is widely considered the greatest featherweight of the pre-Volkanovski era. His speed, power, and leg kicks set the standard for the division throughout the 2010s.

Alexander Volkanovski succeeded Aldo as the sport’s dominant 145-pounder, reigning as champion from 2019 through 2024 and compiling a resume that places him among the greatest fighters in UFC history regardless of weight class. His back-to-back wins over Max Holloway — widely considered among the greatest featherweights ever — defined his legacy.

Now Ilia Topuria carries the torch, and the question is whether he can build a championship reign to match the legends who came before him in this storied division.