Reyes Crashes UFC Light-Heavyweight Top Five

Dominick Reyes has moved into the top five of the UFC light-heavyweight rankings, ESPN reported, after his first-round knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 333 on October 24. Reyes climbed from No. 7 to the top five, while Murzakanov, previously ranked sixth, dropped into Reyes' former position.

Reyes, a 36-year-old southpaw from the United States, stands 6-foot-4 with a 77-inch reach and now carries a 17-5 record. The knockout was his second straight win, following a split-decision victory over Johnny Walker at UFC 327 in April. Before that, he was stopped in the first round by Carlos Ulberg in September 2025. His numbers show a high-volume striker: 4.99 significant strikes landed per minute at 53 percent accuracy, with just 0.25 takedown attempts per 15 minutes.

The same ranking update brought movement at flyweight. Lone'er Kavanagh, a 27-year-old from England, rose to No. 6 after a first-round knockout of Ramazan Temirov at UFC 333. Kavanagh is 11-2 and had lost by third-round submission to Brandon Royval in July, but he recovered with the Temirov stoppage. He lands 4.13 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and averages 1.12 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Temirov, 29, suffered the first loss of his UFC run in the bout, according to the report. He enters the next phase of his career at 20-4 and had beaten Steve Erceg by first-round knockout in July. His own striking output is 4.73 significant strikes per minute at 41 percent accuracy.

Why it matters

• Reyes' rise comes through a finish rather than a decision, which carries weight in a crowded light-heavyweight top 10.
• Murzakanov's fall to No. 7 shows how quickly a single result can reorder the top of the division.
• Kavanagh's jump to No. 6 gives him a place among the flyweight elite, just one fight after a submission defeat.
• Both ranking changes came from first-round knockouts on the same card.

The ranking updates are official competitive consequences of the UFC 333 results.