Joshua Van Leaps Six Spots in September MMA Rankings

The canvas at UFC 331 still held the dust of a decisive blow when Joshua Van raised his gloves. At twenty-four, the young star did not just take the flyweight belt from Alexandre Pantoja; he dismantled the narrative that his first title win was a statistical anomaly. The unanimous decision was a masterclass in control, silencing the whispers of a fluke and cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with.

This performance propelled Van up six positions in the latest pound-for-pound rankings released by Yahoo. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil below him, where Arman Tsarukyan’s recent knockout of Mauricio Ruffy failed to lift him out of the bottom half of the top ten. The hierarchy is shifting, with new challengers rising as established names stumble.

Van silences doubt with dominant display

Critics had piled on Van after his initial title capture, labeling it a freak injury win. He heard the noise. He saw the headlines questioning his legitimacy. By outworking Pantoja over three rounds, Van erased those asterisks. He now stands alone at the top of the flyweight division, his stock rising sharply in the eyes of the panelists who voted on the new list.

The panel, which included Ben Fowlkes and Chuck Mindenhall, used a weighted points system to determine the final order. Van’s jump was significant, reflecting a consensus that his skill set is evolving rapidly. He is no longer a prospect; he is a champion who has proven he can finish a job when it matters most.

Chaos reshapes the upper echelon

While Van climbed, others slid. Arman Tsarukyan, despite a first-round knockout, crashed out of the top ten. His path to a lightweight title shot remains uncertain as the division tightens around him. Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev faces a daunting calendar, with Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov all looking to test his welterweight reign.

The women’s side saw its own shakeup. Amanda Nunes re-entered the list after booking a fight for UFC 334, a move that signaled her intent to reclaim her throne. Alexa Grasso also made a significant move upward, challenging the stability of the top ranks. The rankings are fluid, driven by recent results and future bookings.

Eligibility rules define the roster

The list is not exclusive to the UFC. Fighters from PFL, RIZIN, and ONE Championship were considered, provided they met the strict eligibility criteria. To make the cut, a fighter had to compete within the last calendar year or have a fight booked within that window. Retired fighters were excluded entirely, ensuring the list reflects active competitors only.

This methodology keeps the rankings fresh and relevant. It prevents stale names from lingering on the list without recent action. The result is a snapshot of the current elite, a group of athletes who are fighting, winning, and moving the sport forward in real time.