American professional MMA star Jon Jones has dethroned the former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier to cement his place at the top of the pound-for-pound fighter rankings, released by UFC.

A wide range of changes have taken place in the new rankings following the UFC 241 event last weekend in Anaheim, California.

The biggest gainer has been Stipe Miocic, who jumps to fourth spot, gaining seven places in the process following his impressive victory over Cormier to win the heavyweight title last Saturday.

Cormier suffered his first defeat in four-and-a-half years and has only tasted loss twice in his entire pro career, against none other than the two-time undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

The 40-year-old has hinted in recent months about his plans for retirement, but UFC president Dana White thinks otherwise.

White is of the opinion that Cormier has been one of the best athletes in MMA, and despite the age, still has much to offer to the UFC as well as the fans.

The UFC chief, however, has expressed his displeasure about the new rankings, especially in regard to Cormier, who dropped a massive six places, plummeting from the top spot.

Speaking to MMA News, White said: “I think he [Cormier] is one of the best in the world.

“I was looking at the [official UFC] rankings today when they came out - it's just insane to me. This guy on Saturday night was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

“He loses and drops to No. 7, and he loses to the No. 1 heavyweight contender in the world, and the guy who has the most consecutive title defenses in UFC history, and Cormier drops to No. 7? It's crazy. He's much higher than that, and he's one of the best to ever do it.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the current lightweight champion, and Henry Cejudo, the flyweight and bantamweight champion, both moved up one place to second and third respectively.

Women’s flyweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes continues her surge forward to be regarded as the greatest female fighter in UFC history. She is placed fifth in the rankings.

Max Halloway, Dustin Poirier and Kamaru Usman all drop down one spot, while Robert Whittaker falls two places to 11th.

Tony Ferguson, Valentina Shevchenko, Tyron Woodley and Jessica Andrade retain their places at 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th respectively.

Meanwhile, despite not featuring in any fights this year till date, Conor McGregor still manages to hold on to his 13th spot.