The Professional Fighters League took a major step toward standardizing competition within its roster on Wednesday with the unveiling of its first official fighter rankings, presented by Cloudbet and independently administered by Combat Registry.

For the first time in league history, PFL athletes are now measured under a traditional rankings model, with top-10 lists across nine divisions, including a men’s pound-for-pound hierarchy. The system is designed to evolve after each PFL event, reflecting results inside the SmartCage rather than seasonal formats alone.

Combat Registry, a globally recognized combat sports data and rankings authority, oversees the entire process. A panel of MMA journalists and industry experts submits ballots following every PFL event, with vote collection, tabulation, and publication handled independently from the promotion.

PFL CEO John Martin said the initiative brings clarity and credibility to divisional standing within the organization.

“These rankings provide a clear, objective snapshot of where each PFL division stands,” Martin said. “By partnering with an independent data organization like Combat Registry, we’re giving fans and athletes a transparent system that truly reflects performance.”

Independent rankings reshape the competitive picture

The inaugural release features rankings in men’s bantamweight through heavyweight divisions, a men’s pound-for-pound list, and women’s flyweight. Champions are placed at the top of their respective divisions, followed by ranked contenders.

Usman Nurmagomedov leads the men’s pound-for-pound rankings after maintaining his unbeaten record, while former Bellator champions Vadim Nemkov, Corey Anderson, and Johnny Eblen all feature prominently across divisions. Dakota Ditcheva headlines the women’s flyweight rankings, reinforcing her rise as one of the most dominant fighters on the roster.

Champions set the standard across divisions

Several divisions begin with clear benchmarks at the top. Nurmagomedov anchors lightweight as champion, Costello Van Steenis leads middleweight, Anderson tops light heavyweight, and Nemkov opens heavyweight as the division’s gold standard.

According to PFL officials, rankings will be updated regularly as competition unfolds, giving fans a living snapshot of divisional movement and contender momentum throughout the season.

MEN’S POUND-FOR-POUND RANKINGS

1. Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0, 1 NC)
2. Vadim Nemkov (20-2)
3. Corey Anderson (20-6, 1 NC)
4. Costello Van Steenis (17-3)
5. Shamil Musaev (20-0-1)
6. Johnny Eblen (16-1)
7. Thad Jean (11-0)
8. AJ McKee (23-2)
9. Sergio Pettis (25-7)
10. Paul Hughes (14-3)

BANTAMWEIGHT

1. Sergio Pettis (25-7)
2. Raufeon Stots (21-3)
3. Taylor Lapilus (23-4)
4. Magomed Magomedov (21-5)
5. Marcirley Alves da Silva (15-4)
6. Sarvajon Khamidov (16-1)
7. Ciaran Clarke (10-0)
8. Renat Khavalov (10-0)
9. Lazaro Dayron (9-0-1)
10. Lewis McGrillen (12-1)

FEATHERWEIGHT

1. Timur Khizriev (18-0)
2. AJ McKee (23-2)
3. Jesus Pinedo (25-7-1)
4. Adam Borics (20-3)
5. Ibragim Ibragimov (10-0)
6. Gabriel Braga (16-3)
7. Asael Adjoudj (10-1)
8. Alexei Pergande (7-0)
9. Julio Arce (21-6)
10. Akhmed Magomedov (11-2, 1 NC)

LIGHTWEIGHT

Champion: Usman Nurmagomedov (20-0, 1 NC)

1. Archie Colgan (13-0)
2. Alfie Davis (20-5-1)
3. Gadzhi Rabadanov (26-5-2)
4. Paul Hughes (14-3)
5. Jakub Kaszuba (15-0)
6. Natan Schulte (25-5-1)
7. Jay Jay Wilson (11-2)
8. Alexander Shabliy (24-4)
9. Darragh Kelly (9-0)
10. Connor Hughes (12-3)

WELTERWEIGHT

1. Shamil Musaev (20-0-1)
2. Ramazan Kuramagomedov (13-0)
3. Thad Jean (11-0)
4. Logan Storley (18-4)
5. Abdoul Abdouraguimov (19-1, 1 NC)
6. Magomed Umalatov (18-1)
7. Florim Zendeli (11-1-1)
8. Omar Al Dafrawy (14-6)
9. Masayuki Kikuiri (11-3-1)
10. Chris Mixan (7-1)

MIDDLEWEIGHT

Champion: Costello Van Steenis (17-3)

1. Johnny Eblen (16-1)
2. Fabian Edwards (16-4)
3. Impa Kasanganay (19-6)
4. Jordan Newman (8-0)
5. Dalton Rosta (11-2)
6. Aaron Jeffrey (16-6)
7. Bryan Battle (12-2, 1 NC)
8. Josh Silvera (15-5)
9. Boris Atangana (8-0)
10. Haider Khan (10-1)

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

Champion: Corey Anderson (20-6, 1 NC)

1. Antonio Carlos Jr. (19-6)
2. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (25-8-1)
3. Rob Wilkinson (19-4, 1 NC)
4. Simeon Powell (11-2)
5. Rasul Magomedov (8-0)
6. Luke Trainer (9-1)
7. Sullivan Cauley (8-2)
8. Emiliano Sordi (26-13-1)
9. Tyson Pedro (10-5)
10. Rafael Xavier (14-8)

HEAVYWEIGHT

Champion: Vadim Nemkov (20-2)

1. Renan Ferreira (13-5, 3 NC)
2. Oleg Popov (22-2)
3. Denis Goltsov (36-9)
4. Linton Vassell (25-10, 1 NC)
5. Rodrigo Nascimento (12-4, 1 NC)
6. Sergei Bilostenniy (14-4)
7. Slim Trabelsi (8-1)
8. Pouya Rahmani (5-0)
9. Abraham Bably (8-2)
10. Karl Williams (10-4)

WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT

1. Dakota Ditcheva (15-0)
2. Liz Carmouche (25-8)
3. Taila Santos (22-4)
4. Sumiko Inaba (8-2)
5. Denise Kielholtz (8-5)
6. Paulina Wisniewska (6-1)
7. Jena Bishop (9-3)
8. Ariane Lipski da Silva (17-11)
9. Kana Watanabe (13-4-1)
10. Viviane Araujo (13-7)

 

Full divisional rankings, presented by Cloudbet, are now part of the PFL’s official competitive framework moving forward.