155-pound champ: Charles Oliveira (32-8)
Contenders: #1 Justin Gaethje (23-3), #3 Islam Makhachev (22-1), #9 Conor McGregor (22-6) Honorable: #4 Beneil Dariush (21-4): Do Bronx is set to defend his belt vs JG later this year in what will be one one of the most pivotal fights for the future of the division. #3 Islam, is in my opinion the rightful contender due to his record and dominance, hopefully, the UFC stops playing games and gives Islam his shot. Finally, we have the enigma, the notorious one. Conor is on a losing streak and hasn’t earned his shot like everyone else. But the fact is he is the largest draw and the champ seems to be entertaining the idea in order to score his biggest payday.
170 pound champ: Kamaru Usman (20-1)
Contenders: #2 Leon Edwards (19-3), #3 Khamzat Chimaev (11-0), #5 Vicente Luque (21-7-1), Honorable: Colby Covington (17-3):
For a while it seemed like Canelo Alvarez might be the only option left for P4P champ Usman, now he faces another murderous row of fighters that look like legit threats to his legacy. #2 ranked (should be #1) Leon Edwards has been on a 9 fight win streak since losing to Usman in 2015 and is pencilled in as the next title contender. #3 “Borz” has taken the world of MMA by storm and after his FOY candidate victory over Gilbert Burns, we could see Chimaev fight, Colby Covington, for a title eliminator. #5 Luque has been a fan favorite for many years now, Vicente is 14-3 in the UFC and his fight vs Belal Muhamad (which he beat) should make him the next man up (after Khamzat).
185-pound champ: Israel Adesanya (22-1)
Contenders: #2 Jared Cannonier (15-5), #4 Sean Strickland (25-3), #1 Robert Whittaker (23-6) Honorable: Alex Pereira (5-1): Stylebender is getting ready to face #2 contender Cannonier later this year. JC and Strickland are the only two fighters in the top 5 who Izzy has yet to face or beat. Both are on major win streaks, JC is on a 2 fight streak while Strickland is on a 6 fight streak. Sean is scheduled to face the only man to KO Izzy when he takes on Alex Pereira in July. While it may seem like the champ is out of options, he could easily try his luck at 205 should he dominate JC.
205-pound champ: Glover Teixeira
Contenders: #2 Jiří Procházka (28-3-1), #3 Aleksandar Rakic (14-2), #4 Magomed Ankalaev (17-1), Honorable: #1 Jan Blachowicz (28-9)/#9 Paul Craig (16-4-1): Newly crowned champ Glover is defending his title for the first time against one of the best strikers in the division in #2 Prochazka who is on a 12 fight win streak. Behind them lies a list of killers waiting in the wings for an opportunity. #3 Rakic will face former champ Jan in what may be a title eliminator of sorts, the Austrian fighter is 7-1 in the UFC. #4 Ankalaev is looking like Islam Makhachev at 205, the Dagestani fighter is on an 8 fight tear and has asserted himself as a contender.
Heavyweight Champ: Francis Nganou (17-3)
Contenders: #3 Tai Tuivasa, #4 Curtis Blaydes (16-3), #6 Tom Aspinall (12-2) Honorable: #1 Ciryl Gane (10-1)/Jon Jones (26-1)/ #2 Stipe Miocic (20-4): If not for inactivity Jon Jones and Stipe would be my clear #1 and #2 biggest threat, but until we get actual word and not rumors of a comeback for either they will remain in the honorable mention section. Champ Nganou is said to be on the mend for the remainder of the year, while we do not know if there will be an interim belt in the meantime, this does not mean there is a lack of contenders. For starters Tai Tuivasa took out Derrick Lewis with the most savage of elbows, he is looking to be the next in line for the contender status. Curtis Blaydes (lost to Francis in 18′) and Tom Aspinal look to be in the mix and a fight between the two could make a lot of sense as well as clear up who is worthy of fighting the top 3.
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