On Saturday night, the MMA world leader returned to Paramount+ with a new UFC Fight Night card headlined by a huge matchup at middleweight. In the evening’s main event, former 185-pound champion Sean Strickland battled red-hot contender Anthony Hernandez to move one step closer to a title fight later this year.
In the end, the one-time titlist’s striking game was too much for “Fluffy,” and he scored his first finish in over two and a half years. Let’s take a look at how Strickland’s UFC Fight Night Houston win altered our latest UFC middleweight rankings.
10. Robert Whittaker (26-9)
Robert Whittaker will go down as one of the greatest UFC middleweights ever. He is a former champion who has many division records and has competed in some of the best fights of all time. Unfortunately, the Aussie has a ton of fight miles on his body, and it has had an effect in recent years.
He is 3-4 in his last seven, with the most recent being a tough split decision loss to former ONE star Renier de Ridder. The setback probably puts to rest the idea of fighting for middleweight gold ever again before his UFC career comes to a close.
9. Reinier de Ridder (21-3)
Reinier de Ridder was a hidden gem in MMA as he grew his notoriety during an impressive run in ONE Championship that saw him win titles in two divisions. While some doubted how good he could be in the sport’s top promotion, he quieted those concerns with four big wins inside the Octagon, including a decision victory over division legend Robert Whittaker.
However, when swimming in the top 10 water, a shark is always around the corner, and that happened at UFC Vancouver. While he looked good early, the Dutch fighter’s grappling brilliance was overmatched by the cardio and well-rounded game of Brendan Allen. Leading to his first UFC loss after his corner surprisingly threw in the towel after Round 4.
8. Israel Adesanya (24-5)
Israel Adesanya is not only one of the best UFC middleweights ever, but when all is said and done, he will be viewed as one of the greatest fighters from his era. His place in UFC history is set, and he is guaranteed a Hall-of-Famer. But “Father Time” comes for us all, and that has been the case for the former champ over the last few years.
Following his championship loss in 2024, the hope was that he could bounce back with a win over rising star Nassourdine Imavov. But he looked a step behind in February, and it showed when he was handed a KO loss for just the second time in his MMA career. He has not fought since and continues to slowly slip down our top 10.
7. Brendan Allen (26-7)
Brendan Allen was on fire and seemed primed for a title shot after winning seven straight. However, he was given a schedule against the best 185 had to offer, and he took a pair of tough losses to Anthony Hernandez and Nassourdine Imaov.
However, he has roared back since. At UFC 318, he posted a hard-fought victory over former title challenger Marvin Vettori. Then at UFC Vancouver, he made a red-hot Reinier de Ridder quit because he could not match his cardio output. It now has the American on the verge of breaking into the 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 seeming on the edge of being cut, “Fluffy” reeled off eight straight victories, including over Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
He got his stiffest test yet in February when he faced former division king Sean Strickland. Unfortunately, the former champ completely shut down his wrestling game and picked him apart on the feet. Handing him just the second knockout loss of his career. While he drops in our top 10, he remains a tough out for even the best in the division.
5. Caio Borralho (17-1)
Caio Borralho is one of the fastest-rising fighters in the UFC’s middleweight division. Following a pair of wins on the Contender Series, the Brazilian won seven straight inside the Octagon, including over Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96. However, his hot streak was put to a stop in September when it looked like he was a level below top contender Nassourdine Imavov. It was a major setback, but the Brazilian remains an elite talent at 185.
4. Nassourdine Imavov (16-4)
Nassourdine Imavov has been on a tear over the last year that makes him completely worthy of a title opportunity in his next fight. He is unbeaten in his last five, and has scored wins over several top-10 fighters, including middleweight legend Israel Adesanya. In September, he got another main event opportunity and out-skilled and outpointed the fastest rising star, Caio Borralho. It was, arguably, his most impressive win yet.
3. Dricus Du Plessis (23-3)
Dricus 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 beat champions and legends en route to becoming a pound-for-pound fighter. However, he met his match at UFC 319 in Chimaev. After being dominated by “Borz,” the former champ may have to win a fight or two to get a second crack at the belt.
2. Sean Strickland (30-7) – Top Contender
Wildman Sean Strickland may not be the flashiest fighter in UFC middleweight history, but he has consistently proven to be a difficult test for the best in the world, which is why he proved many doubters wrong when he won UFC gold in 2023.
While he has had some bumps in the road since that UFC 293 win, including losing the belt in his first title defense, he may have locked up another shot at the belt after scoring a dominant TKO win over Anthony Hernandez. Ending “Fluffy’s” eight-fight win streak.
1. Khamzat Chimaev (15-0) – Champion
The Khamzat Chimaev train has reached the top of the mountain after a dominant run in the Octagon. “Borz” has become one of the sport’s most popular stars, but he got the chance to prove he is one of its best at UFC 319. And he dominantly did that over former middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis. The Chechen is an absolute monster and one of the scariest fighters on the planet.
