​The UFC flyweight rankings highlight the very best fighters in the 125-pound division. Though this weight class often doesn’t receive the credit it deserves, it has consistently showcased some of the most well-rounded and fastest athletes in MMA. With that in mind, here is the official Sportsnaut top 10 for the UFC’s flyweight division.
Lone’er Kavanagh of England stands out as one of the division’s most intriguing prospects. Although his time in the UFC has been brief, he has already defeated division legend Brandon Moreno in February. Yet, at UFC 329, he learned that competing with the sport’s elite is no easy task when he ran into Brandon Royval. The American outworked him and used superior grappling to demonstrate a ground-game lesson. Still, Kavanagh had his moments, which is why he remains in the top 10.
Steve Erceg of Australia burst onto the UFC scene with three consecutive wins, part of an 11-fight win streak overall that earned him a title shot two years ago against then-champion Alexandre Pantoja. The deep flyweight pool proved challenging, and he dropped two subsequent bouts to top-five opponents after the title bout. Nevertheless, he has rebounded with two significant victories, the latest coming against top-15 contender Tim Elliott in May. Those wins helped him re-enter the UFC flyweight rankings.
Asu Almabayev, formerly a standout in M1 and Brave CF, entered the UFC with a 13-fight winning streak and extended that momentum by winning his first four UFC bouts, defeating several top-15 fighters including Matheus Nicolau and Ode Osbourne. His momentum hit a setback when he faced Manel Kape in March, suffering his first loss in eight years. He has since bounced back with two wins, including a major submission victory over top-15 stalwart Alex Perez in November.
Kyoji Horiguchi, who left the UFC nearly a decade ago, built a stellar run outside the organization and has long been regarded as the best flyweight not in the UFC. He made a triumphant return to the Octagon last year, delivering a highlight-reel finish over Tagir Ulanbekov and following it with a well-earned decision over elite talent Amir Albazi a few months later. A win over Manel Kape in June might have earned him a title shot later this year, but he was edged by Kape in a tense battle, suffering a frustrating TKO loss despite what looked like an early lead.
Brandon Moreno has been one of the flyweight division’s most accomplished competitors, delivering some of the sport’s greatest battles. His consistent high-level performances have kept him at or near the top of the rankings, cementing his status as one of the division’s most formidable and enduring talents.