UFC middleweight rankings: Khamzat Chimaev tops division after UFC 319 victory

The UFC middleweight division rankings reflect significant changes following recent fight results, with Khamzat Chimaev holding the top position after his victory over former champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319.

The middleweight division encompasses fighters weighing between 171 and 185 pounds (77.56 to 83.91 kilograms).

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Chimaev leads UFC middleweight rankings

Champion Khamzat Chimaev maintains his undefeated record at 15-0 following his victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. The Russian fighter's dominant performance established him atop the middleweight rankings.

Former champion Dricus du Plessis dropped to the number one contender position with a record of 23-3 after his loss to Chimaev. The South African fighter had previously held the championship before the UFC 319 defeat.

Top middleweight contenders and recent results

Nassourdine Imavov ranks second in the division with a 16-4 record (1 NC) following his victory over Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250. Imavov is scheduled to face Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258.

Sean Strickland holds the third position despite his loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. The former champion maintains his 29-7 record in the competitive middleweight landscape.

Israel Adesanya, once considered among the division's elite fighters, currently ranks fourth with a 24-5 record after his recent loss to Imavov.

Also read: Khamzat Chimaev defeats Dricus Du Plessis to win UFC middleweight title at UFC 319

Rising middleweight division fighters

Reinier de Ridder secured the fifth ranking position following his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC on ABC 9. The fighter's 21-2 record demonstrates his potential as a title contender.

Caio Borralho occupies the sixth position with a 17-1 record (1 NC) after defeating Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62. Borralho's upcoming bout against Imavov could significantly impact middleweight rankings.

Anthony Hernandez ranks seventh following his victory over Roman Dolidze at UFC on ESPN 72. The fighter's 15-2 record (1 NC) includes a current three-fight winning streak.

Middle-tier rankings show competitive division

Robert Whittaker dropped to eighth position after his loss to de Ridder, while Jared Cannonier fell to ninth following his defeat against Michael Page at UFC 319.

Brendan Allen rounds out the top ten with his victory over Marvin Vettori at UFC 318, maintaining his 25-7 record and extending his winning streak.

The remaining ranked fighters include Roman Dolidze (11th), Paulo Costa (12th), Marvin Vettori (13th), Abusupiyan Magomedov (14th), and Roman Kopylov (15th), each representing the depth and competitive nature of the UFC middleweight division.

Also read: UFC 319: Carlos Prates vs Geoff Neal fight preview and fighter interviews

Several fighters have upcoming bouts scheduled, including Magomedov's fight against Joe Pyfer at UFC 320, which could impact future middleweight rankings.