UFC Power Rankings reset after UFC Baku, with Raphael Fiziev’s second-round knockout a major shakeup

The UFC Power Rankings discussion has shifted after UFC Baku, a card Yahoo Sports described as coming with “a few upsets,” but none larger than Raphael Fiziev’s second-round knockout of Manuel Torres. In a sport where a single explosive finish can quickly change the public and pundit perception of a contender’s ceiling, that particular result is treated as the type of turning point that can reorder conversations across multiple weight classes.

Yahoo Sports framed the timing as another factor in how to interpret the rankings: there are no UFC fights this week, creating a short pause where fans typically recalibrate expectations. With the next slate arriving after the break, the rankings function less like an end-of-year statement and more like a running dashboard, reflecting both what happened in Baku and what the promotion is setting up next.

Beyond the headline finish, the article’s structure points to the practical purpose of power rankings. They aim to identify who has momentum after a recent performance, and, equally important, who is being pushed down because the most recent evidence did not match prior expectations. Yahoo Sports’ weekly format keeps that emphasis on movement, so the focus stays on the latest fight results rather than long-term resume alone.

The UFC calendar picture also influenced what Yahoo Sports highlighted. After the bye week, the publication looked forward to UFC 329, which it described as featuring the return of Conor McGregor. The matchup at the center of that card is McGregor against Max Holloway, a pairing with immediate division-wide relevance because both fighters have long track records of drawing marquee fights and carrying high visibility even when their ranking status is in flux.

While the article preview did not provide the full ranking list, it made clear that UFC 329 is being treated as more than a headline attraction. Yahoo Sports indicated the card includes additional matchups that could “shape the divisions going forward,” meaning the rankings are likely to absorb new information quickly once UFC 329 finishes and the next round of winners and losers gives clarity on who is truly climbing.

There is a caveat to reading power rankings in real time: they are not official seeding, do not always align with how the UFC ultimately prioritizes matchmaking, and are inherently editorial. Still, the combination of an attention-grabbing knockout in Baku and a high-profile next event with McGregor vs. Holloway sets up a clear storyline for the next update cycle. The immediate watch point is whether the UFC 329 matchups confirm the new momentum suggested by Baku results, or whether the rankings will need another adjustment after the next set of performances.