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          MMA divisional rankings: Prates on the rise after mowing down another ex-champion

          Carlos Prates, left, beat Jack Della Maddalena in the former UFC champion's hometown of Perth, Australia. Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
          • Brett OkamotoMay 5, 2026, 08:30 PM
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Carlos Prates is a man on the move -- moving up to where the title contenders are. On Saturday, he scored the best victory of his career, knocking out former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in a dominant performance at UFC Fight Night in Perth, Western Australia.

          Perth happens to be Della Maddalena's hometown, so Prates traveled halfway around the world from Brazil to put the lights out on the city's native son. Della Maddalena is the second straight former UFC welterweight champion Prates has knocked out; in November, he finished Leon Edwards.

          As a result, Prates vaults all the way from No. 8 to No. 3 in ESPN's 170-pound rankings.

          Two other divisions saw top-10 movement as a result of UFC fights from a week ago. At featherweight, Aljamain Sterling rises one spot to No. 4 on the strength of finishing Youssef Zalal, who drops two spots to No. 9. And at women's bantamweight, Joselyn Edwards enters the rankings at No. 3 after she defeated the previous occupant of that position, Norma Dumont, who slips one spot.

          Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

          Results are current; rankings as of May 5. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

          HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

          LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

          MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

          WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

          LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

          FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

          MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)