Will Alexander Volkanovski be the next fighter to be ranked first in the UFC Pound-For-Pound Rankings in 2026?

Prediction markets put the probability at 45%: Will Alexander Volkanovski be the next fighter to be ranked first in the UFC Pound-For-Pound Rankings in 2026. Currently, markets are divided (45% YES, 55% NO). Alexander Volkanovski warns that Conor McGregor can't be counted out against Max Holloway at UFC 329.

What’s Happening

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (28-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) confirmed on June 9, 2026 that his next title defense against Movsar Evloev is taking longer than anticipated to finalize, with the promotion's attention consumed by Sunday's UFC Freedom 250 card. Volkanovski, who reclaimed the 145-pound belt and rebuilt his standing as the divisional kingpin, remains a fixture in the top three of the official pound-for-pound rankings. The question of whether Volkanovski will be the next fighter to be ranked first in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings in 2026 hinges on both his own activity and the trajectory of the man currently atop the list. [MMA Junkie, Jun 9]

The current No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter is Ilia Topuria, who headlined UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026 at the White House South Lawn and is "widely regarded as the best fighter on the planet." Topuria's continued dominance is the central obstacle to any challenger climbing to the top spot, and his performance at Freedom 250 — part of a card filled with highlight finishes — reinforced his hold on the ranking. Volkanovski has also weighed in on the upcoming UFC 329 bout between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway, warning that McGregor cannot be counted out after his 13-year layoff from their first meeting. [MMA Sucka, Jun 10]

For Volkanovski to become alexander volkanovski next fighter to be ranked first in the ufc pound-for-pound rankings in 2026, the standings math requires either a Topuria loss or an extended layoff combined with a marquee Volkanovski victory. The Evloev matchup, once booked, would mark Volkanovski's first defense of his reclaimed belt, with the Russian challenger riding an undefeated UFC record. Historical precedent favors active champions: prior P4P No. 1 transitions, including Jon Jones and Islam Makhachev's tenures, followed clear title-fight catalysts rather than gradual ranking drift. The Freedom 250 card delivered finishes from Justin Gaethje and Topuria, tightening the upper tier of the rankings heading into the second half of 2026. [Deadspin, Jun 15]

Traded on Polymarket — $566K Volume

Polymarket prices this at 45c YES with $566K in volume. Moderate liquidity — use limit orders for positions above $1K to avoid moving the price.