Latest UFC Welterweight Rankings June 2025 Breakdown
When you’re sitting cage-side, feeling the rumble of the crowd, smelling the sweat, and hearing every smack of leather to face, there’s no experience like it.
My name’s Mohit, and as a journalist with a front-row seat to the most electrifying division in the UFC,
I promise you no TV broadcast can replicate what it’s like to be there in person.
This June, the welterweight division has been an absolute rollercoaster of drama, talent, and surprises.
Rankings have shifted, careers have changed, and futures are being written in real time.
I’m here to give you a breakdown, not from the comfort of a couch, but from where it all unfolded—with my own eyes.
Strap in as I take you inside one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions and break down the latest welterweight rankings,
the key fights that shaped them, and the road ahead for the fighters chasing gold.
Latest UFC Welterweight Rankings June 2025 Breakdown
Current Welterweight Rankings (June 2025)
Here are the current top ten welterweight fighters following the latest shuffle:
- Leon Edwards
- Kamaru Usman
- Colby Covington
- Shavkat Rakhmonov
- Gilbert Burns
- Belal Muhammad
- Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
- Khamzat Chimaev
- Geoff Neal
- Jack Della Maddalena
This list looks simple on paper, but there’s a lifetime of blood, sweat, and drama behind those names and numbers. And trust me, as someone who’s watched these rankings take shape fight by fight, there’s nothing “simple” about how these positions came to be.
Leon Edwards: The Reigning King
There’s only one place to begin, and that’s at the top with Leon “Rocky” Edwards. What makes Leon’s story so inspiring isn’t just his skill but the grit and tenacity it took for him to get here and stay here. Ever since his shocking head-kick KO of Kamaru Usman in 2022, Leon’s been proving over and over again that he’s the real deal. And if anyone still had doubts, they were silenced last month when Leon defended his title against the rising phenom, Shavkat Rakhmonov, at UFC 300.
The atmosphere at the T-Mobile Arena that night was pure electricity. I could feel the buzz the moment I walked into the press room hours before the fight. Fans were audibly debating whether Shavkat’s streak of dominance would dismantle the tried-and-true champ, Leon. The stakes felt enormous, almost suffocating, and even as a journalist, I couldn’t help but get goosebumps.
When the fight started, you could hear a pin drop in the arena. Every jab from Leon crackled through the speakers, but Rakhmonov didn’t flinch. His pressure kept Leon on his toes, and for a moment, I thought the young contender might actually pull off the upset. But Leon, with the experience of a seasoned champion, began to adapt. By Round 3, the momentum began shifting. You could see Rakhmonov’s gas tank draining, his hands dropping bit by bit, while Leon’s combinations started landing flush.
By Round 5, the crowd was on their feet. Leon showed why he’s the champ. He threw sharp strikes, dodged danger with precision, and neutralized Rakhmonov’s grappling threats. When the final bell rang, people around me were already nodding in agreement. The judges handed Leon a unanimous decision victory, and I’ll tell you, it felt like a coronation.
Speaking to Leon post-fight, I saw a man who’s never been more confident in his craft. “I’ve beaten the best of the best,” he told us in the press room. The thing about Leon is, he doesn’t just talk like a champion; he fights like one.
The Resilient Veteran: Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman may not hold the belt anymore, but the man remains an undeniable force in the division. Watching Kamaru bounce back after losing his title has been a testament to his champion mindset.
A pivotal moment in his comeback came during his highly-anticipated trilogy fight against Colby Covington earlier this year. For context, when these two fight, it’s not just a physical contest—it’s personal. You could feel the tension in the arena from the moment their names went up on the big screen. For fans, this wasn’t just a Fight Night; it was an event.
The fight itself was a chess match—not the chaos many expected. Colby’s tried-and-true strategy of overwhelming his opponents with pace and volume was on full display early, but Usman’s discipline and striking precision ultimately gave him the edge. You could see the frustration on Colby’s face as Kamaru consistently interrupted his rhythm with his jab.
Sitting there, I saw firsthand how razor-close this fight was. The judges were split—I wasn’t surprised—but Kamaru walked away with the victory that night. His post-fight interview was soaked in determination. “I’m not done yet,” he said, and you’d better believe him.
Colby Covington and the Crossroads
Love him, hate him, or even tolerate him, Colby Covington demands attention. He thrives in the chaos of fight buildup, often saying things that make fans either cheer wildly or boo ferociously. During the lead-up to his fight with Usman, Colby seemed laser-focused on reclaiming his former glory.
But Colby’s path isn’t as clear anymore. Ranked No. 3, he’s right on the cusp of another title shot, but he’ll have to earn it. Fans and officials alike are clamoring for potential matchups against either Gilbert Burns or Belal Muhammad. Both fights make sense and would be absolute barnburners. One thing’s for sure, though—with Colby, it’s never boring.
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Rapid Rise
The youngest fighter among the top ranks, Shavkat Rakhmonov is the future of the welterweight division. He may have suffered his first professional loss against Leon Edwards, but make no mistake, this guy is a future champ in the making.
I had the chance to talk to some analysts and fighters backstage after his fight with Leon, and nearly everyone agreed that the sky’s the limit for Shavkat.
His composure, fight IQ, and ability to mix striking with impeccable grappling make him a nightmare in the octagon.
Watching him fight live gave me a deeper appreciation for his talent. Whether it’s 2026 or beyond, don’t sleep on Shavkat.
The Depth Players of the Division
While the top four get most of the attention, fighters like Gilbert Burns, Belal Muhammad, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, and Khamzat Chimaev make the welterweight division so unforgiving.
I saw Khamzat Chimaev’s aggressive return to competition earlier this year, and wow. Watching him storm Geoff Neal reminded me why so many fans believe he’s destined for championship glory. Khamzat wasted no time, steamrolling Neal in Round 1 with a ferocity few could match.
And then there’s Jack Della Maddalena, the promising newcomer making waves among the top 10. He hasn’t fought one of the elites yet, but the buzz around this Aussie is loud. Fans love his grit, striking, and knockout power.
A Cage-Side Perspective
Being in the arena for these fights meant soaking in not just the action but the entire atmosphere. The roar of the crowd when fighters landed big shots, the collective gasp whenever a submission attempt tightened, and even the impromptu chants for fighter favorites gave everything a gladiatorial intensity. But what struck me most was the mutual respect among fighters—even though they may talk trash, there’s a unique brotherhood you see behind the scenes.
What’s Next for the Division?
Looking forward, the matchups practically write themselves. Do we see Leon Edwards against Kamaru Usman for one last trilogy fight? Will Colby Covington fight Gilbert Burns to re-assert himself as the No. 1 contender? And can Shavkat Rakhmonov bounce back and reclaim his upward trajectory?
The UFC welterweight division stands at a fascinating crossroads. Whether it’s the old guard looking to cement their legacies or the young lions trying to make history, one thing’s for sure—we’re in for some unforgettable stories.
From the ringside reporter’s desk, this has been an unforgettable June, and I’ll be watching closely to see how the rest of 2025 shapes up.
