5 UFC fighters who may be better than the champion in their weight class

#2. Magomed Ankalaev – UFC light heavyweight contender

Magomed Ankalaev may have the most complete skillset at 205lbs

With respect to his skills, which are undoubtedly excellent, it’s probably fair to argue that the UFC champion that feels most vulnerable right now is current light heavyweight kingpin Glover Teixeira.

The Brazilian veteran looked excellent in his title win last year when he choked out Jan Blachowicz in the second round of their bout. More importantly, he’s currently riding a six-fight win streak that dates back to January 2019.

However, at the age of 42, it’s probably safe to say that Teixeira is past his physical prime. More importantly, he’s suffered a number of losses during his octagon career, too. That means that at any point, his reign could come crashing down.

Teixeira is set to defend his title against striker Jiri Prochazka in a couple of months. Despite ‘Denisa’ possessing excellent skills, the fighter who is arguably the best in the world at 205 pounds, without holding the title, is Magomed Ankalaev.

Not only does the Dagestani fighter possess knockout power and excellent striking skills, as he showed when he clearly outpointed Volkan Oezdemir on the feet last year, but he’s also probably the best wrestler in the weight class, too.

Regardless of who wins the fight between Teixeira and Prochazka, then, it feels unlikely that either man can overcome Ankalaev should he take his shot at the title in the near future.

Essentially, the Dagestani appears to be the most complete fighter in the UFC at 205 pounds. It’s only a matter of time before he proves it.

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#1. Islam Makhachev – UFC lightweight contender

Islam Makhachev's wrestling skills could give him the advantage over Charles Oliveira

It’s arguable that no other fighter enjoyed such a breakout year in 2021 as current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ began the year coming off a win over Tony Ferguson and then knocked out Michael Chandler to claim the vacant title before overcoming Dustin Poirier in his first defense.

With the most dangerous submission skills in the entire promotion and an ever-improving striking arsenal with proven knockout power, right now, Oliveira is on the top of his game.

However, the fighter who appears to have the skillset to defeat the Brazilian is the division’s fastest-rising prospect, Islam Makhachev.

A training partner and protégé of former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is currently on a winning streak of 10 fights. He has displayed finishing skills both standing and on the ground, with both strikes and submissions.

It’s true that Oliveira has shown himself to be just as dangerous as Makhachev , even more so when you consider that he’s fought better competition than the Dagestani.

However, Makhachev may have an ace up his sleeve in the form of his powerful wrestling game. Despite Oliveira’s dangerous skills from the guard, if Makhachev could ground him and work his strong top game, then he’d have to be favored to win this fight.

He still needs to prove it, but right now it’s arguable that Islam Makhachev is the best 155lber in the world. It’s only a matter of time before he emulates his predecessor by claiming the title.