Post-UFC 311 rankings update: Merab Dvalishvili moves up two spots in P4P list, 41-year-old star displaces Jamahal Hill at number 3 in LHW rankings 

The results of UFC 311 caused significant changes in the divisional rankings of the promotion. The event took place on Jan. 18 in Los Angeles and marked the UFC's first pay-per-view of the year.

Pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev retained his top position by successfully defending his lightweight title for the fourth time, securing a first-round submission victory over No.10-ranked Renato Moicano in the short-notice main event.

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who defeated Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event to secure his first title defense, moved up to the No.5 spot in pound-for-pound rankings. This shift pushed welterweight champion Belal Muhammad down to No.6 and middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis to No.7.

Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov dropped one spot in the official bantamweight rankings and now holds the No.3 position. As a result, former champion Petr Yan has taken over as the No.2-rankaed bantamweight contender.

In the light heavyweight rankings, Jiri Pochazka retained his No.2 spot following a third-round knockout victory over Jamahal Hill on the UFC 311 main card. Hill, on the other hand, fell to fourth place, allowing former champion Jan Blachowicz, 41, to move up and become the No.3-ranked light heavyweight contender.

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UFC 311 rankings update: Lightweight and women's bantamweight division undergo changes

Arman Tsarukyan, Renato Moicano and Beneil Dariush's positions in the lightweight division remained unchanged following last weekend's events. However, Grant Dawson broke into the top 15 of the lightweight division after his unanimous decision victory over Carlos Diego Ferreira on the UFC 311 preliminary card.

Benoit Saint Denis, who has not competed since his loss to Renato Moicano in September 2024, dropped two spots and is now ranked No.14 in the lightweight division. Paddy Pimblett and Jalin Turner each gained one spot, moving up to the 12th and 13th positions, respectively.

In the heavyweight rankings, Jailton Almeida and Sergei Spivak's UFC 311 fight did not cause any changes.

In the women's bantamweight division, Ailin Perez climbed two spots after her win over Karol Rosa on the UFC 311 early prelims, making her the No.11-ranked women's bantamweight. Despite her loss, Rosa moved up one spot and is now ranked No.8.

Yana Santos and Miesha Tate also gained one spot each, occupying No.9 and No.10 positions, respectively. Jacqueline Cavalcanti and Chelsea Chandler both moved up to become the No.13 and No.14-ranked women's bantamweight fighters. Meanwhile, Noea Cornolle made her entry into the rankings, occupying the 15th position.