<
        >

          MMA divisional rankings: Strickland rises and Chimaev falls -- how far?

          Sean Strickland reigns in the middleweight division for a second time after beating Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
          • Brett OkamotoMay 12, 2026, 08:00 PM
            Close
              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
            Follow on X

          Sean Strickland earned a second reign as middleweight champion on Saturday with a split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. As a result, he takes over the top spot at 185 pounds in the latest ESPN divisional rankings.

          Strickland first won the title in 2023 by dethroning Israel Adesanya, but he lost the belt four months later to Dricus du Plessis. He fell short in a title fight rematch with du Plessis last year. But against Chimaev, Strickland's volume punching -- more than 80 strike attempts in each of the last three rounds -- got the job done.

          With Strickland moving up three positions to take over the No. 1 spot, Chimaev drops one spot to No. 2.

          The only other rankings movement is at welterweight, where Sean Brady moves up one spot to No. 7 after defeating ninth-ranked Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328.

          Here are the ESPN pound-for-pound MMA rankings and a list of current UFC champions in all weight classes.

          Results are current; rankings as of May 12. To be eligible for the rankings, a fighter must have competed over the past 12 months or must have an upcoming fight booked. Fighters who have been dropped for inactivity can be reinstated only after they compete.

          HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 265 pounds)

          LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (up to 205 pounds)

          MIDDLEWEIGHT (up to 185 pounds)

          WELTERWEIGHT (up to 170 pounds)

          LIGHTWEIGHT (up to 155 pounds)

          FEATHERWEIGHT (up to 145 pounds)

          MEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          MEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT (up to 135 pounds)

          WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT (up to 125 pounds)

          STRAWWEIGHT (up to 115 pounds)