ESPN released its new MMA 30 Under 30 list, and fans are arguing over the top spots UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van (24) is ranked No. 1 But right behind him, PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov took the No. 2 spot, placing him above former UFC champion Ilia Topuria at No. 3 Usman is undefeated with multiple title defenses in PFL, while Topuria has fought the very best inside the UFC Octagon
ESPN has unveiled its MMA 30 Under 30 list, and the order at the top is already drawing debate among fans. UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van sits at No. 1, with PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov at No. 2 and former UFC champion Ilia Topuria at No. 3.
Van, 24, is the youngest of the three. The Myanmar native trains out of 4oz. Fight Club and holds an 18-2 record. As flyweight champion, he brings a high-volume, accurate attack: 8.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 57 percent accuracy. He stands five-foot-five with a 65-inch reach, and averages 0.7 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Nurmagomedov, 27, is unbeaten at 22-0 and represents Russia. The PFL titleholder, who has made multiple title defenses in that promotion, is ranked 14th in the UFC pound-for-pound standings. He stands five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach, and lands 0.33 significant strikes per minute at 52.78 percent accuracy, with 0.65 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Topuria, 29, represents Spain and trains with Climent Club. His record is 17-1, and he is currently ranked No. 1 at lightweight and No. 1 pound-for-pound. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and averages 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach.
Why it matters
The placement of Nurmagomedov above Topuria is the main flashpoint. The case for the PFL champion rests on his perfect record and title defenses. The case for Topuria rests on competition level, since he has faced the best fighters inside the UFC Octagon.
- Van's top spot reflects his status as a reigning UFC champion at 24.
- Nurmagomedov's ranking pits an undefeated promotional champion against a former UFC titleholder.
- Topuria's third-place slot comes despite holding the top spot in both the lightweight and pound-for-pound UFC rankings.
Lists like this rarely settle anything, but they do shape how fans weigh undefeated records against UFC pedigree.
