In the main event of UFC 328, the middleweight strap was on the line when Khamzat Chimaev defended the gold for the first time against former champion Sean Strickland. For five rounds, the pair of star 185ers went back and forth in a battle of attrition.
However, when the scorecards were read, Strickland won by split decision. Handing the Chechen the first defeat of his career. Let's see where both land in our brand new UFC middleweight rankings after UFC 328.
10. Robert Whittaker (26-9)
Robert Whittaker will go down as one of the greatest UFC middleweights of all time. He is a former champion who holds numerous division records and has taken part in some of the best battles of all time. Unfortunately, the Australian has a lot of fight miles on his body, and it has taken its toll in recent years.
He is 3-4 in his last seven, the most recent of which was a tough split decision loss to former ONE star Rainier de Ridder. This setback probably puts an end to any thoughts of fighting for middleweight gold again before his UFC career is over.
9. Reinier de Ridder (21-4)
Reinier de Ridder was a hidden gem in MMA as he rose to fame during impressive performances in ONE Championship, winning titles in two divisions. While some doubted how good he could be in the sport's top promotion, he calmed those concerns with four major wins inside the Octagon, including a decision victory over division veteran Robert Whittaker.
However, when swimming in top 10 waters, the shark is always around the corner, and RDR has found it quickly. After going 4-0 to start his UFC run, De Ridder has lost two consecutive bouts, the most recent being a decision loss to Caio Oralho.
8. Joe Pfeifer (16-3)
Since earning a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2022, Joe Pfeiffer has been a budding problem at 185 pounds. If not for his loss to Jack Hermansson in 2024, he might have already fought for middleweight gold.
However, in March, he scored the biggest win of his life when he got a TKO victory against weight class veteran Israel Adesanya. This was his fourth consecutive W and landed him in our top 10 for the first time.
7. Brendan Allen (26-7)
Brendan Allen was fired up and looking set for a title shot after seven consecutive wins. However, he was given a schedule against the best at 185, and suffered tough losses to Anthony Hernandez and Nasourdin Imov.
However, he has come roaring back ever since. At UFC 318, he scored a hard-fought victory over former title challenger Marvin Vettori. Then at UFC Vancouver, he submitted to red-hot Reinier de Ridder because he couldn't match his cardio output. Now it is on the verge of reaching the American top five.
6. Anthony Hernandez (15-3)
Anthony Hernandez has quietly become one of the best middleweights in the world. After losing two of his first three and being on the brink of being cut, "Fluffy" rattled off eight consecutive wins, including over Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
His toughest test to date came in February when he faced former division king Sean Strickland. Unfortunately, the former champ completely shut down his wrestling game and laid him to the ground. This is the second knockout defeat of his career. Although he has broken into our top 10, he still remains a tough contender for even the best in the division.
5. Caio Boralho (18-1)
During his six years in the organization, Caio Borralho has gone from a prospect earning a contract in the Contender Series to one of the best middleweights in the world. Posting a record of 8-1 inside the Octagon.
After suffering his first loss in the promotion to Nasourdin Imavov last year, the Brazilian scored a nice bounce-back victory by defeating fellow top-10 fighter Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326.
4. Nasourdin Imavov (16-4)
Nasourdin Imavov has been coming off a very poor run over the past year, which makes him fully deserving of a title opportunity in his next fight. He is undefeated in his last five fights and has wins over several top-10 fighters, including middleweight veteran Israel Adesanya. In September, he got another main event opportunity and defeated fastest rising star Caio Boralho. Arguably, this was his most impressive victory to date.
3.Drics du Plessis (23-3)
Dricas du Plessis has put South African MMA on the map during his career in the UFC. The middleweight star has been victorious in every one of his UFC fights and has defeated champions and veterans on his way to becoming a pound-for-pound fighter. However, he got his match in Chimaev at UFC 319. After dominating "Borz", the former champion may have to win a fight or two to get another shot at the belt.
2. Khamzat Chimaev (15-1)
Khamzat Chimaev trains to the top of the mountain after a dominant race in the Octagon. “Borz” has become one of the most popular stars in the sport, but he got his chance at UFC 319 to prove he is one of the best. And he did so impressively against Darius du Plessis to become UFC champion.
However, staying on top of the mountain is the hardest thing, and in his first title defense, the Chimaev era came to a stunning end at UFC 328 when Sean Strickland scored an upset victory in a split-decision.
1. Sean Strickland (31-7) - Champion
Wildman Sean Strickland may not be the brightest fighter in UFC middleweight history, but he has consistently proven to be a tough test for the world's best, which is why he proved many doubters wrong by winning UFC gold in 2023.
While he lost in his first defense two years ago, "Tarzan" battled back for a title opportunity at UFC 328 in May, and shocked the MMA world when he ended Khamzat Chimaev's dominance to become a two-time UFC middleweight champion.
