MMA rankings May 2026: Sean Strickland’s No. 1 spot not so cut-and-dried By Scott Fontana Published May 13, 2026, 8:30 a.m. ET Sean Strickland exits the octagon after his victory via split decision over Khamzat Chimaev in their middleweight title bout that headlined UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, at Prudential Center. Getty Images MMA math does not work.
Need some proof? Take a gander at the top of the middleweight pecking order.
With the second championship upset of his career, Sean Strickland took back both the UFC belt he lost nearly 2 ½ years ago and the consensus No. 1 spot in the world.
That eight months after Khamzat Chimaev thoroughly outclassed Dricus Du Plessis to become a first-time champion.
