Yearender: UFC pound-for-pound rankings and list of champions at end of 2021

Bengaluru, December 22: The Ultimate Fighting Championship featured some stacked cards in 2021 and closed out the year with a record-breaking stoppage by former UFC heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis.

While that finish may have not earned the Black Beast an immediate shot at the title in a packed heavyweight division, it surely has put him in the mix for one more shot at gold and also puts the top two on notice.

The current champion and the interim champ will do battle for the undisputed belt early next year, but where do they stand in the pound-for-pound ranking going into the new year?

UFC in 2021: Top five championship bouts of the year

The top ranked welterweight champion Kamaru Usman made three title defences in 2021 and currently sits on top of the tree when it comes to ranking in the UFC. In the women's category, the women's flyweight Valentina Shevchenko occupies top position.

There was not a lot of movement in the rankings nor were there any new additions this year. Also, the promotion were able to stage events uninterrupted amid the pandemic although majority of the events still remain behind closed doors.

UFC also had 20 title bouts in 2021 with 6 times the championship changing hands, 11 title defences and three times new champion crowned via a fight for a vacant title or an interim belt.

Now, let's take a look at the pound-for-pound rankings and list of champions in UFC as 2021 comes to a close: