UFC Heavyweight Rankings: Best Fighters at 206-265 Lbs

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane lead the UFC heavyweight rankings today. Aspinall remains the undisputed champion, while Gane holds the interim title after stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026.

This is a current SOG Sports heavyweight tier list, not a copy of the official UFC rankings. Alex Pereira, Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich form Tier 2, while the remaining fighters are grouped by recent results, quality of opposition, current skill level, matchup value and realistic championship upside.

The tier is the ranking. Fighters within the same tier are treated as members of the same competitive group, and their left-to-right placement in the graphic does not create a separate ranking inside that tier.

How the UFC Heavyweight Tier List Works

This ranking weighs championship status, recent results, quality of opposition, striking and grappling depth, finishing ability, durability, activity and likely performance against the division’s best fighters.

Current ability matters more than historical fame. Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa have accomplished more in the UFC than several fighters placed above them, but their recent form lowers their present position. The reverse applies to Gable Steveson: his ceiling is enormous, but one UFC appearance is not enough to rank him beside established contenders.

The list includes fighters competing in the UFC heavyweight division as of July 23, 2026. It was reviewed before the scheduled July 25 fights between Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune and between Valter Walker and Thomas Petersen.

How This Differs from the Official UFC Rankings

The UFC currently recognizes Tom Aspinall as undisputed champion and Ciryl Gane as interim champion. The official contender order begins with Gane, Alexander Volkov, Sergei Pavlovich, Josh Hokit, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Serghei Spivac, Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev. Tyrell Fortune, Ante Delija, Derrick Lewis, Marcin Tybura, Valter Walker, Brando Peričić and Mick Parkin complete the current ranked group.

This tier list evaluates matchups and current level rather than reproducing those numbers. Alex Pereira remains in Tier 2 despite no longer appearing in the official heavyweight top 15 after losing to Gane. Vitor Petrino, Mario Pinto and Ryan Spann are also placed on the graphic even though they are outside the official rankings.

Tier 7: Prospects, Veterans and Rebound Candidates

Tier 7 contains fighters with one clearly dangerous skill, meaningful upside or past success, but not enough current evidence to place them beside the more reliable heavyweights above. The group ranges from decorated newcomers to veterans trying to stop a slide.

Gokhan Saricam

Current case: 12-2 professional heavyweight coming off a second-round knockout in his UFC debut.

Saricam arrived with extensive experience outside the promotion and immediately showed why his right hand belongs at this level. He pressured Tanner Boser into exchanges and secured the stoppage late in the second round.

One UFC win is still a thin sample, particularly for a 35-year-old entering a rapidly changing division. Tier 7 recognizes the power and experience without treating his debut as proof that he can beat ranked opposition.

Jhonata Diniz

Current case: Technical kickboxer with seven knockout wins and a 9-2 professional record.

Diniz is one of the cleaner combination strikers in the lower half of the division. He can work the body, vary his rhythm and force heavyweights to defend more than a single overhand right.

The problem is what happens when opponents interrupt that rhythm. Losses to Marcin Tybura and Mario Pinto exposed the gap between dangerous stand-up ability and complete heavyweight performance.

Louie Sutherland

Current case: Rebounded from consecutive UFC defeats by winning a decision over Tai Tuivasa in May 2026.

Sutherland is willing to pressure, exchange and make physically demanding fights. The Tuivasa win was important because it showed he could remain effective beyond the early rounds rather than depending entirely on a fast knockout.

Losses to Valter Walker and Brando Peričić still limit his placement. He needs to prove that the Tuivasa performance was the beginning of a run rather than an isolated rebound.

Tai Tuivasa

Current case: Former top-five contender whose knockout power remains dangerous despite an extended run of losses.

Tuivasa’s best stretch included stoppages of Derrick Lewis and Augusto Sakai, and his willingness to trade still makes him a threat whenever an opponent becomes careless. There is no mystery about his path to victory.

The defensive issues have become impossible to ignore. Losses to Tallison Teixeira and Louie Sutherland in 2026 continued a downturn that now outweighs his former ranking and popularity.

Steven Asplund

Current case: High-output heavyweight with six knockout victories and two UFC appearances.

Asplund’s pace is unusual for the division. He is comfortable creating long exchanges and forcing opponents to work at a speed most heavyweights would rather avoid.

A decision loss to Vitor Petrino showed that activity needs to be paired with cleaner defense and more controlled offense. At 7-2, he remains a developmental heavyweight rather than a finished product.

Gable Steveson

Current case: Olympic gold medalist wrestler who moved to 4-0 with a first-round UFC debut knockout at UFC 329.

Steveson is the most physically gifted prospect on the list. His wrestling credentials are unmatched in this division, and the speed he showed while stopping Elisha Ellison suggested that his athleticism can translate to striking exchanges.

Tier 7 is intentionally conservative. Steveson has only four professional fights and one UFC appearance, so his current résumé cannot be ranked on the same level as his projected ceiling.

Marcus Buchecha

Current case: Elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion with a 5-3-1 MMA record and a difficult start to his UFC run.

Buchecha remains one of the division’s most accomplished submission grapplers. If he establishes top position, very few heavyweights can match his transitions or positional control.

MMA has exposed the challenge of forcing that game against experienced opponents. A draw with Kennedy Nzechukwu and a knockout loss to Ryan Spann leave him needing a clear UFC breakthrough.

Tier 6: Talented Heavyweights with Major Questions

Tier 6 fighters have enough experience or physical ability to beat solid UFC opposition, but recent losses, defensive weaknesses or incomplete skill sets make them difficult to trust against the ranked core.

Marcin Tybura

Current case: Ranked veteran with one of the deepest UFC résumés in the division.

Tybura can still punish inexperienced heavyweights with clinch control, measured pressure and a dependable top game. His 2025 win over Mick Parkin showed why he remains such a useful test for prospects.

Back-to-back losses to Ante Delija and Tyrell Fortune pushed him down the current hierarchy. At 40, the question is no longer whether he belongs in the UFC, but whether he can still reverse momentum against the next wave.

Ryan Spann

Current case: Heavyweight finisher with seven knockout wins, 14 submissions and a second-round knockout of Marcus Buchecha.

Spann’s move to heavyweight suits his frame and removes the burden of cutting to 205 pounds. His guillotine remains dangerous, and the Buchecha win proved that his power carries into the larger division.

Consistency is still the dividing line. Spann has often looked like a ranked fighter for one night and a vulnerable one in his next appearance, keeping him below the steadier names in Tier 5.

Shamil Gaziev

Current case: 14-3 finisher with nine knockouts and three submissions.

Gaziev can overwhelm opponents when he controls the pace early. His size, pressure and ground-and-pound create a difficult first round for heavyweights who need time to settle into a fight.

Consecutive knockout losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Brando Peričić exposed the same concern: once his initial pressure fails, his defense and conditioning become much easier to target.

Tallison Teixeira

Current case: 6-foot-7 heavyweight with seven knockouts, an 83-inch reach and extreme early finishing power.

Teixeira can end a fight before his opponent has read the distance. His UFC debut stoppage of Justin Tafa and decision win over Tai Tuivasa showed two different ways his size can create problems.

The 35-second loss to Derrick Lewis and 39-second loss to Sergei Pavlovich showed the other side of that volatility. He has contender-level physical tools but still needs better defensive structure.

Kennedy Nzechukwu

Current case: Long, powerful heavyweight with 10 professional knockout wins.

Nzechukwu’s reach and physical strength make him difficult when he can build momentum. Moving up from light heavyweight has allowed him to fight without draining his frame.

A heel-hook loss to Valter Walker and draw with Marcus Buchecha demonstrated the uncertainty around his grappling. His scheduled fight with Shamil Gaziev should clarify which Tier 6 fighter is ready to move forward.

Thomas Petersen

Current case: Former LFA heavyweight champion with a wrestling base and a July 25 matchup against Valter Walker.

Petersen has the size and takedown game to make opponents work through uncomfortable positions. He is more useful when he can establish pressure than when forced into a clean kickboxing match.

Knockout losses to Shamil Gaziev and Vitor Petrino show the current limitation. Beating Walker would immediately improve his standing because it would answer questions against one of the division’s most dangerous submission specialists.

Tier 5: Proven Threats Outside the Main Contender Group

Tier 5 contains heavyweights with either a ranked résumé, strong recent momentum or a proven elite weapon. Each can beat names above him, but none has built a complete current case for the higher contender tiers.

Vitor Petrino

Current case: 14-2 athlete who has won three straight fights since moving to heavyweight.

Petrino has looked more comfortable without the light heavyweight cut. He submitted Austen Lane, stopped Thomas Petersen and outworked Steven Asplund, showing that his heavyweight game is not limited to one-punch power.

Tier 5 reflects the quality of opposition rather than a lack of tools. His scheduled fight with Serghei Spivac is the exact test required to determine whether he belongs with the ranked risers in Tier 4.

Ante Delija

Current case: Ranked former PFL heavyweight tournament champion with 19 career finishes.

Delija’s pressure, wrestling and heavy hands remain credible at UFC level. His debut knockout of Marcin Tybura showed how quickly he can turn physical control into a finish.

Losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Serghei Spivac halted that momentum. His experience keeps him dangerous, but he now needs a win over another ranked heavyweight to rebuild a title-path argument.

Tyrell Fortune

Current case: Officially ranked wrestler who defeated Marcin Tybura in his UFC debut.

Fortune’s athleticism and wrestling give him a repeatable way to win rounds without entering reckless exchanges. He handled a difficult short-notice debut and immediately moved into the rankings.

The upcoming fight with Rizvan Kuniev is a major separator. Fortune can move toward Tier 3 with a win, while a loss would make his limited UFC sample much harder to evaluate.

Derrick Lewis

Current case: UFC’s career knockout leader and a former heavyweight title challenger.

Lewis remains the division’s ultimate bailout puncher. He can lose minutes, escape positions that appear settled and end the fight with one clean connection.

Recent losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Josh Hokit show why history cannot carry his current ranking. Tier 5 respects the power and résumé while acknowledging that younger heavyweights are now consistently beating him.

Mick Parkin

Current case: Officially ranked 10-1 heavyweight with a balanced striking and grappling game.

Parkin is patient, physically strong and rarely dependent on chaotic exchanges. He won his first four UFC fights before Marcin Tybura handed him his first professional loss.

Inactivity has slowed his rise, including his removal from a scheduled March 2026 bout with Mario Pinto. He remains ranked, but needs a meaningful return before moving above the more active Tier 4 group.

Tier 4: Rising Heavyweights and Ranked Momentum

Tier 4 is the bridge between divisional depth and serious contention. These fighters have either current rankings, strong winning momentum or a specialized skill that has already worked against credible UFC opposition.

Serghei Spivac

Current case: Official No. 6 contender with seven knockout wins and eight submissions.

Spivac is at his best when he closes distance, connects trips and forces opponents to carry his weight. His decision win over Ante Delija restored momentum after losses to Jailton Almeida and Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

He remains in Tier 4 because elite movers and strong anti-grapplers can expose his striking. A win over Vitor Petrino would strengthen his claim to rejoin the upper contender group.

Brando Peričić

Current case: Ranked 7-1 heavyweight with a 100 percent professional finishing rate.

Peričić has quickly become one of the division’s most interesting power prospects. He stopped Louie Sutherland in the first round and Shamil Gaziev in the second, displaying both immediate pressure and the ability to stay dangerous after the opening rush.

The sample remains small, but the results already justify Tier 4. More disciplined defense against experienced opposition is the next requirement.

Valter Walker

Current case: Ranked 15-1 heavyweight with four professional heel-hook submissions.

Walker attacks the lower body in a way few heavyweights are prepared to defend. He submitted Kennedy Nzechukwu and Louie Sutherland in the first round, turning small grappling mistakes into immediate finishes.

His striking is less developed than his submission game, which keeps him below Tier 3. The Thomas Petersen fight offers another chance to prove that opponents cannot simply build an entire game plan around avoiding the heel hook.

Mario Pinto

Current case: Unbeaten 12-0 heavyweight with three UFC victories.

Pinto has shown more than raw knockout power. He stopped Jhonata Diniz, then won a three-round decision over Felipe Franco, demonstrating patience and control when a fast finish was unavailable.

He is not currently in the official top 15, but his performance level belongs with the ranked prospects in Tier 4. The scheduled Ryan Spann fight is his first major opportunity to force his way into the rankings.

Tier 3: High-End Ranked Threats

Tier 3 fighters are established enough to beat ranked opposition and close enough to contention that one major win could produce a title eliminator. Each still has a specific question preventing a move into Tier 2.

Josh Hokit

Current case: Official No. 4 contender after defeating Curtis Blaydes and stopping Derrick Lewis.

Hokit has risen faster than any heavyweight outside the title picture. His wrestling background gives him a natural advantage in a striker-heavy division, but his pressure and finishing instincts have made him more than a control specialist.

Tier 3 is already an aggressive placement for a fighter with limited UFC experience. Another win over a top-five opponent would make it difficult to keep him out of Tier 2.

Rizvan Kuniev

Current case: Official No. 8 contender coming off a decision win over Jailton Almeida.

Kuniev is physically difficult to move, defends takedowns well and can build offense from the clinch without exposing himself to unnecessary risk. The Almeida win showed that he can beat an elite grappling specialist at his own pace.

His split-decision loss to Curtis Blaydes remains the main separator between them. The Tyrell Fortune matchup is another direct test against a strong wrestler and could settle the Tier 3 order more clearly.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Current case: Official No. 5 contender who has won eight of his last 10 fights.

Cortes-Acosta built his rise through volume, durability and steadily improved takedown defense. Knockout wins over Shamil Gaziev, Ante Delija and Derrick Lewis showed that his offense carries real finishing danger.

Alexander Volkov ended that run with a clear decision win in May. Waldo remains Tier 3 because the loss exposed a gap against a long, disciplined contender rather than removing the progress that got him there.

Curtis Blaydes

Current case: Official No. 7 contender with the deepest proven wrestling résumé among established UFC heavyweights.

Blaydes can still dominate fighters who cannot defend repeated takedowns or survive his top pressure. His win over Kuniev and stoppage of Jailton Almeida demonstrate that he remains a difficult matchup for grappling-heavy contenders.

The Josh Hokit loss added to a career pattern in which major opportunities have ended badly. His skill level belongs in Tier 3, but another title run now requires both consistency and the ability to survive dangerous early exchanges.

Tier 2: Elite Title Contenders

Tier 2 belongs to fighters who can credibly challenge for the championship now. They are separated from Tier 1 by title status, unresolved matchup questions or a recent loss at the championship level.

Alex Pereira

Current case: Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion coming off an interim heavyweight title loss to Ciryl Gane.

Pereira remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. His left hook, calf kicks and ability to maintain composure in high-pressure exchanges give him a real chance against any heavyweight willing to strike at range.

The Gane loss established a new limitation. Bigger opponents with elite movement can force Pereira to reset repeatedly and make his heavyweight power harder to deploy. He remains Tier 2 because championship experience and finishing ability still separate him from the larger Tier 3 group.

Alexander Volkov

Current case: Official No. 2 contender who has won six of his last seven fights.

Volkov has become stronger, more patient and more difficult to pressure as his career has progressed. Wins over Sergei Pavlovich, Jailton Almeida and Waldo Cortes-Acosta show that he can solve very different heavyweight styles.

His most recent loss was a disputed split decision against Gane. Volkov is close to the title tier, but he still needs the defining victory that turns years of contender-level consistency into a championship opportunity.

Sergei Pavlovich

Current case: Official No. 3 contender with 16 career knockout wins and three consecutive victories.

Pavlovich rebuilt his position after losses to Aspinall and Volkov. Decision wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Waldo Cortes-Acosta showed improved patience, then his 39-second knockout of Tallison Teixeira reminded the division how quickly he can end a fight.

The defensive concerns remain against the very best opponents, but few heavyweights can match his reach, straight-line power and ability to punish hesitation.

Tier 1: Championship Standard

Tier 1 is reserved for the two current titleholders. Aspinall owns the undisputed belt, while Gane’s interim championship and direct history with Aspinall make their eventual resolution the central heavyweight story.

Tom Aspinall

Current case: Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion with 15 professional wins, all by finish.

Aspinall remains the division’s most complete heavyweight. His hand speed, footwork, boxing combinations, takedowns and black-belt submission game give him more credible paths to victory than any other fighter at 265 pounds.

His first fight with Gane ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke, and the resulting injuries required multiple eye surgeries. The uncertain return timeline prevents him from actively separating from the field, but he remains Tier 1 because he is still the undisputed champion and has already stopped Pavlovich and Blaydes in a combined 129 seconds.

Ciryl Gane

Current case: Interim UFC heavyweight champion after stopping Alex Pereira in the second round at UFC Freedom 250.

Gane’s movement, kicking game and distance management remain unusual for a heavyweight. Against Pereira, he controlled the terms of the striking battle and finished one of the sport’s most accomplished kickboxers.

The championship still needs to be unified. Gane has previously struggled when elite wrestlers have forced him backward, but an Aspinall rematch would test a different question: whether the division’s best mover can neutralize its fastest and most complete finisher.

Biggest Debates and Tier Boundaries

Why Aspinall and Gane Both Belong in Tier 1

Aspinall is the undisputed champion, while Gane won the interim belt created during Aspinall’s injury absence. Gane cannot be ranked clearly above him without winning a unification fight, but the interim title and Pereira victory separate him from every non-champion.

Why Hokit Is Not in Tier 2 Yet

Wins over Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis already give Hokit a better current résumé than many longer-tenured heavyweights. Tier 3 remains appropriate because his rise has been extremely fast and he has not yet faced Volkov, Pavlovich, Pereira or either champion.

Blaydes in Tier 3 and Spivac in Tier 4

Spivac is currently ranked above Blaydes by the UFC, but the tier list gives Blaydes credit for a deeper body of work against high-level wrestlers and contenders. Spivac can close the gap by beating Petrino and proving he can maintain offense against a younger, explosive athlete.

Why Pereira Remains in Tier 2 After Losing

Pereira’s heavyweight sample is only one fight, and it ended in a stoppage loss. He stays in Tier 2 because his two-division UFC championship résumé and elite striking still create a more credible immediate threat than the less-tested Tier 3 group.

Why Gable Steveson Starts in Tier 7

Steveson’s athletic ceiling may be higher than anyone outside the top tiers, but this is a current ranking rather than a prospect projection. Four professional fights and one UFC appearance are not enough evidence to skip established heavyweights.

Toughest Omission

Jailton Almeida

Jailton Almeida is the most notable active heavyweight left off the graphic. His takedowns and top control can still overwhelm much of the division, but losses to Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev created enough uncertainty to leave him outside this version of the seven-tier field.

Almeida would be the first fighter added if the list expanded. A strong rebound win would likely place him in Tier 4 or Tier 5 rather than at the bottom.

Complete UFC Heavyweight Tier List

This recap preserves every fighter and tier from the supplied graphic. Fighters inside each tier are grouped together and are not assigned a separate in-tier rank.

FAQ: Best Heavyweights in the UFC Today

Who is the current UFC heavyweight champion?

Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

Who is the interim UFC heavyweight champion?

Ciryl Gane is the interim heavyweight champion after stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026.

Who are the best UFC heavyweights right now?

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane form Tier 1. Alex Pereira, Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich make up Tier 2.

Is this the official UFC heavyweight ranking?

No. This is a SOG Sports tier list based on current ability, recent performance, résumé, matchup quality and championship upside.

Are fighters ranked inside each tier?

No. The tier is the ranking. Fighters within the same tier are treated as members of the same competitive group.

Sources and Data Notes

Championship status and the official top-15 order were checked against the official UFC rankings.

Scope: Current UFC heavyweights and heavyweight crossover fighters included in the supplied graphic. This is an editorial tier list, not the official rankings. Last Reviewed: July 23, 2026, before the scheduled July 25 bouts.

Conclusion: Best Heavyweights in the UFC Today

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane set the championship standard at heavyweight. Aspinall remains the undisputed champion, while Gane’s interim-title win over Alex Pereira created the division’s obvious unification fight.

Pereira, Volkov and Pavlovich are the strongest challengers beneath them. Hokit is the fastest-rising contender, while Kuniev, Cortes-Acosta and Blaydes remain close enough that one major result can change the upper tiers.

The biggest uncertainty sits at the bottom. Gable Steveson has championship-level physical tools, but Tier 7 correctly separates future potential from proven UFC performance.

More UFC Rankings

Compare the heavyweight division with our UFC lightweight rankings and 2026 tier list. For more divisions, rankings and fight analysis, visit the main SOG Sports UFC page.

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