Kape powers his way into flyweight top 3 in MMA divisional rankings

Manel Kape put himself in position to claim the UFC championship he has long been chasing, scoring his fourth straight knockout by flattening Kyoji Horiguchi on Saturday in Las Vegas.

As a result, Kape moves into the top three in the ESPN men’s flyweight rankings, behind only current champion Joshua Van and longtime former champ Alexandre Pantoja. Those two could soon meet in a rematch of their fight in December, which ended in 26 seconds after Pantoja dislocated his elbow. Kape likely would be next in line.

For finishing Horiguchi in a rematch of a 2017 bout he lost by submission, Kape moves up one spot from No. 4 at 125 pounds. Horiguchi remains at No. 6.

This past weekend’s UFC fight card also produced rankings movement at women’s bantamweight, where Luana Santos won a unanimous decision over Karol Rosa and the two swapped top-10 positions. Santos is No. 7, Rosa No. 9.

The only other change is at light heavyweight, where Jamahal Hill is newly ineligible after having not fought in over a year. Replacing him at No. 10 is Dustin Jacoby.

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 June 23. 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)