UFC 328 delivered a seismic shift in the middleweight division, and the ripple effects are already reshaping the rankings. In the main event, Khamzat Chimaev put his title on the line for the first time against former champion Sean Strickland. What followed was a five-round war of attrition that had fans on the edge of their seats. When the dust settled, Strickland earned a split-decision victory, handing Chimaev the first loss of his professional career. The new champion now sits atop the division, but the landscape below him is just as intriguing.
Robert Whittaker remains a cornerstone of UFC middleweight history. As a former champion and record-holder, "The Reaper" has competed in some of the most memorable fights the division has ever seen. But time is undefeated, and the fight miles are starting to show. Whittaker is 3-4 in his last seven outings, with his most recent setback coming in a tough split-decision loss to former ONE star Reinier de Ridder. That defeat likely closes the door on any future title aspirations for the Aussie legend before his storied career winds down.
Reinier de Ridder was once considered a hidden gem in MMA, having built a reputation as a two-division champion in ONE Championship. Many questioned whether his success would translate to the UFC, but he silenced doubters with four straight wins inside the Octagon, including a decision victory over Whittaker. However, the top 10 is a shark tank, and de Ridder has learned that lesson the hard way. After his hot start, he has now dropped back-to-back fights, most recently losing a decision to Caio Borralho. The climb back up won't be easy.
Joe Pyfer has been quietly making noise at 185 pounds since earning his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2022. If not for a 2024 loss to Jack Hermansson, he might already have been in title contention. But in March, Pyfer scored the biggest win of his career, knocking out division legend Israel Adesanya. That victory, his fourth straight, has finally earned him a spot in our top 10 for the first time. Keep an eye on this rising contender—he's not done making waves.