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The Best UFC Flyweight Fighters: Ranking the Top 9 Current Athletes

The UFC returns to the Apex on Saturday, October 12th, as top-ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval faces the undefeated Tatsuro Taira, currently ranked fifth in the division. With the UFC flyweight title held by Alexandre Pantoja, the winner of this clash will likely be next in line for a shot at the 125-pound crown. But, does anyone have what it takes to join the best flyweight champions of all time list?

Last updated: 2024-12-20

6 minutes read

Jake Staniland

Sports Writer

Fact checked by:

Chad Nagel

Sports & Betting Editor

Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil punches Steve Erceg of Australia

Alexandre Pantoja punches Steve Erceg//Getty Images

Table of Contents

Since then, a wave of talented fighters have followed the two fighters mentioned above. A few of the standout names are former champs: Henry Cejudo, TJ Dillashaw and Deiveson Figueiredo. But, what about the current crop of 125-pounders?

In this article, we have ranked and analysed the best current UFC flyweight fighters using the SportsBoom MetaScale to see who poses the biggest threat to the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja.

Methodology

The rankings are determined based on the following criteria:

Career Record (40%): A fighter's overall wins, losses, and draws are crucial in assessing their dominance over their career.
Title Wins (30%): A fighter's ability to capture and defend a UFC flyweight title is a major factor in their rank.
Notable Achievements (20%): Additional accomplishments such as knockouts, wins over top contenders, and longevity in the division.
Fight Metrics (10%): Statistics such as finish rate, significant strikes, and takedown accuracy. These metrics provide insight into their skillset.
Sources Used:
- Sportskeeda
- The Sportster

Critical Consensus: Ranking the Best UFC Flyweight Fighters

The Critical Consensus Table combines the fighters key achievements and titles, as well as their Sportskeeda ranking and The Sportster ranking.

Critical Consensus Table

Rank	Fighter	Key Achievements and Titles	Sportskeeda Rank	The Sportster Rank
1	Alexandre Pantoja	UFC Flyweight Champion (Current), multiple wins over top contenders in the flyweight division.	C	4
2	Brandon Royval	2-time UFC Flyweight title challenger, fast-paced fighter with multiple finishes.	2	7
3	Brandon Moreno	UFC Flyweight Champion, first Mexican-born UFC flyweight champion, 1-time title defense.	4	5
4	Kai Kara-France	1-time title challenger, skilled striker, and key flyweight contender.	5	N/A
5	Amir Albazi	Rising flyweight prospect, undefeated streak in UFC.	3	N/A
6	Alex Perez	1-time title challenger, known for his well-rounded skills.	6	N/A
7	Asu Almabayev	Undefeated fighter with a strong record, key contender in the flyweight division.	7	N/A
8	Tim Elliott	1-time title challenger, known for his resilience and grappling skills.	8	N/A
9	Manel Kape	A powerful striker with a potential to dominate the flyweight division in the future.	9	N/A

SportsBoom MetaScale: Ranking the Current Flyweights

The SportsBoom MetaScale takes into account a fighters record (40%), their title wins (30%), notable achievements (20%) and other fight metrics (10%).

SportsBoom MetaScale

Rank	Fighter	Career Record (40%)	Title Wins (30%)	Notable Achievements (20%)	Fight Metrics (10%)	MetaScale Score
1	Alexandre Pantoja	40	30	20	10	100
2	Brandon Royval	30	20	25	10	85
3	Brandon Moreno	36	25	15	5	81
4	Kai Kara-France	28	20	15	10	73
5	Amir Albazi	34	10	15	10	69
6	Alex Perez	25	15	10	5	55
7	Asu Almabayev	38	20	10	5	60
8	Tim Elliott	22	10	10	5	47
9	Manel Kape	30	10	15	5	60

Key Highlights of the Current Top UFC Flyweight Fighters

1. Alexandre Pantoja

Alexandre Pantoja is the current reigning and defending UFC flyweight champion. The Brazilian is on a seven-fight win streak and he is gunning for history in 2025; with one more finish at flyweight he will hold the most UFC flyweight division stoppage wins in history. Additionally, with one more win he will hold the most wins in UFC flyweight history.

2. Brandon Royval

Brandon Royval is regarded as the second-best UFC flyweight on the planet, according to the SportsBoom MetaScale. Royval is one of the most versatile fighters in the division, but he's had issues with getting over the line in huge fights, which is his only downfall. It's also worth noting that Royval's only defeats in the UFC (three) have come against either former, future or current champions, proving that he is the best of the rest of the leading pack, but not quite yet champion material.

3. Brandon Moreno

Brandon Moreno is the former UFC flyweight champion, and he is famously known for the trilogy fights against Deiveson Figueiredo. The Mexican fighter loves to slug it out with the best of them, and he's also excellent in scrambling situations. Despite losing two of his last three bouts, time is still on his side to turn it around. However, win or lose, Moreno will always be a fan-favourite because of his exciting style of fighting, and his personality outside of the cage.

4. Kai Kara-France

Kai Kara-France represents New Zealand in the flyweight division. Despite only fighting in the UFC since 2018, Kara-France has the second-most knockdowns in UFC flyweight history, highlighting his explosive power. Kara-France has gone 1-1 since losing in the UFC interim flyweight title bout at UFC 277 and he can get himself back into title contention in 2025.

5. Amir Albazi

Amir Albazi was unbeaten in the UFC up until November 2024 when he ran into the former champion Brandon Moreno. Despite this loss, the Iraqi fighter is still regarded as one of the top contenders in the division and 2025 could get him right back into title contention.

6. Alex Perez

Alex Perez is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the flyweight division with his balanced blend of striking and wrestling, however, since earning his title shot at UFC 255, against Deiveson Figueiredo, he has lost four of his last five fights and his career momentum has really tailed off. Despite his form, Perez deserves to be on this list because of his experience within the division.

7. Asu Almabayev

Asu Almabayev is on an impressive run, accumulating 21 wins and just 2 losses. He has superb grappling ability and grip strength, which makes it really difficult for his opponents to escape his grasp, similar to the legendary Khabib. If the Kazakh fighter can continue his form into 2025 then he could close out the year with a UFC title shot.

8. Tim Elliott

Tim Elliott has not fought at flyweight since he was submitted by Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 294. Having not fought at all in 2024, the American's future is in doubt in regards to what weight he will be at moving forward, and at 37, you have to feel he only has one more title run left in him.

9. Manel Kape

Manel Kape is one of the best strikers in the UFC flyweight division and his kicks are extremely powerful, as seen in his recent stoppage victory over Bruno Gustavo da Silva when he finished his opponent by a body kick. Kape has all the striking tools in the world to be a champion, but he needs to improve on his takedown defence in 2025.

SportsBoom Suggests

This list presents the current best UFC flyweight fighters based on their impressive career records, contributions to the sport, and remarkable achievements. Fighters like Alexandre Pantoja, who is the current UFC flyweight champion, and the likes of Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval, have proven their skill and determination, elevating the flyweight division in the UFC.

These three fighters have either been the champion or have challenged for the title, highlighting the competitiveness as well as experience the division has to offer.

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