UFC 276 takeaways - Volkanovski in a league of his own, Adesanya and Pereira storyline plays out perfectly

For the past year or so, to me, the debate between the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world has been between Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. And of course, it's close, right? Whatever order you have those three in, it's defensible. There had been no wrong answer to the question: Who is the best fighter on the planet?

That is no longer the case. Volkanovski is the only answer now after a dominating performance at UFC 276.

Look, I love Usman. I love the fight IQ, the cardio and the physical wrestling style when he needs it. In addition to the work he's done with Trevor Wittman to refine his striking, Usman is a wonderful fighter. As is Adesanya. But, Volkanovski made Max Holloway look average in this co-main event. This version of Volkanovski would dominate the old version — and that version was the one who won a championship! I just don't think anyone in the sport is quite at his level at the moment.

And the numbers back it up.

Volkanovski is just the fourth fighter in UFC history to win his first 12 fights in the UFC, joining Anderson Silva, Kamaru Usman and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Volkanovski's five featherweight title wins equals the same mark held by Holloway and looks poised to catch Jose Aldo's seven titles with a few more defenses.

If I had to bet on one fighter right now to get me a win in any weight class, after UFC 276, it's Volkanovski. — Brett Okamoto

Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski called it pre-fight.

If the PPV was purchased, all fights from UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier will be available to watch on ESPN+.

• Israel Adesanya © vs. Jared Cannonier • Alexander Volkanovski © vs. Max Holloway • Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira • Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena • Pedro