Rankings Shakeup: Mackenzie Dern undisputed No. 1 with Zhang Weili exit, blue-chip contender closing in

And you know what? She’s right.

It’s August 2026. Zhang Weili hasn’t fought at 115 pounds since February 2025. 18 months. And, as far as we know, she doesn’t have a booking on the horizon.

By the MMA Fighting Rankings Committee by-laws, it’s official: Due to inactivity, Zhang must be removed from the divisional rankings. Rules rule.

In actuality, the timing couldn’t work out better because Dern just recorded her first successful title defense with a convincing decision win over Gillian Robertson in this past Saturday’s UFC 330 co-main event. No, Dern didn’t beat Zhang to win the title, instead capturing it by beating Virna Jandiroba after Zhang