It is a rare occurrence for two fighters ranked in the top ten of the pound-for-pound list to meet outside of a main event slot. However, that scenario unfolded at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on November 7, when strawweights Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba faced off as the co-main event. The bout was featured on a card headlined by heavyweights Waldo Cortes Acosta and Johnny Walker.
Suarez dominated the contest, securing a unanimous decision victory over her opponent. This performance propelled her up two positions in the latest ESPN pound-for-pound women's rankings, placing her at number seven. The result marked a significant step for Suarez, who has become a formidable force in the strawweight division.
The outcome of the fight had direct consequences for the bottom of the top ten. Jandiroba, who entered the matchup at number ten, dropped out of the rankings entirely. She has been replaced by flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius. Jasudavicius earned her spot in the list following a win over Erin Blanchfield in October, which helped her reassert herself as a contender after a previous knockout loss.
Suarez's ascent follows a strong year for the fighter. After a notable defeat to Zhang Weili in a title challenge last year, Suarez overcame early adversity to defeat Loopy Godinez at UFC 327. Her subsequent victory over Jandiroba sends a clear message to the division that she remains a difficult opponent for anyone at 115 pounds.
The top of the women's rankings remains unchanged. Valentina Shevchenko holds the number one spot, followed closely by Zhang Weili and Cris Cyborg. Although Shevchenko is currently out injured and has vacated her UFC title, her recent dominant victory over Zhang in November 2025 solidified her status as the best flyweight in the world.
Natalia Silva currently holds the UFC flyweight title, having captured the belt from Wang Cong at UFC 332 after Shevchenko vacated. Silva is ranked fourth in the overall list. Mackenzie Dern sits at number five, having recently defended her strawweight title against Gillian Robertson. Alexa Grasso is ranked sixth, having recently defeated Manon Fiorot to position herself for another title opportunity.
Other notable fighters in the top ten include Dakota Ditcheva, who is ranked eighth after a dominant win over Denise Kielholtz at PFL New York. Manon Fiorot dropped to ninth following her loss to Grasso. Jasmine Jasudavicius rounds out the top ten at number ten. The men's pound-for-pound rankings saw no changes in this update.
The ESPN rankings are based on votes from a panel of experts, including Brett Okamoto, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Andrew Davis, Dre Waters, and Jeff Wagenheim. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed within the past 12 months or have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters dropped for inactivity can only be reinstated after they compete again.
The latest rankings reflect the current state of the sport, with results current as of November 11, 2026. The dynamic nature of the sport means that these positions can shift rapidly with new victories and losses, keeping fans and analysts engaged in the ongoing narratives of the top fighters.
