Khamzat Chimaev walks into the Prudential Center in Newark on May 9 as the undefeated UFC middleweight champion. He walks in with a record that has never been tested — no decision losses, no submissions, no moments where the crowd held its breath and wondered. Sean Strickland walks in having pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history when he stopped Israel Adesanya in 2023. The setup for UFC 328 is everything the middleweight division has been building toward this year, and the rankings ahead of this fight tell a clear story.
- UFC 328 takes place May 9, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
- Khamzat Chimaev defends the UFC middleweight title against former champion Sean Strickland.
- Chimaev enters undefeated with elite wrestling and finishing ability; Strickland is a massive underdog.
Every UFC Middleweight Contender Ranked Ahead of UFC 328
1. Khamzat Chimaev — Middleweight Champion (Undefeated)
There is no tactical blueprint that currently exists to beat Chimaev at 185 lbs. His wrestling, honed through years of Chechen-Swede combat training, is the best in the division. His striking has become more dangerous with each fight. He does not allow opponents to establish rhythm. According to UFC official rankings, Chimaev sits atop the middleweight division and is widely considered the most dominant champion in the weight class. Strickland’s odds being so long is not media hype — it is a genuine reflection of how wide the skill gap looks.
2. Sean Strickland — Former Champion (Challenger, UFC 328)
Strickland shocked Adesanya in 2023 and proved he belongs at the top table. His boxing is durable and intelligent. He walks through pressure without flinching, and his output over five rounds is elite. The problem against Chimaev is that his output is built on boxing range. Chimaev does not let opponents stay at boxing range. If Strickland cannot keep Chimaev on the outside with sharp early counters, this fight ends in the second or third round via wrestling dominant control. He has shocked the world before. The question is whether he can do it again against a fighter who — unlike Adesanya — does not have an obvious wrestling vulnerability. See our full UFC 328 fighter rankings for more detail.
3. Dricus Du Plessis — No.1 Contender
The South African is the man most people believe should be next in line after UFC 328, regardless of result. Du Plessis is aggressive, durable, and carries power in both hands that has stopped multiple top-ten middleweights. His UFC run since signing has been one of the most impressive in recent middleweight history. He is 8-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming against Chimaev himself, in a war that could have gone either way.
4. Robert Whittaker — No.2 Contender
The former champion is still an elite middleweight at 34. His footwork and boxing polish remain among the best in the division. Whittaker’s problem is finishing — he relies on decisions, and Chimaev’s wrestling makes decisions feel unlikely. Against Strickland in a potential next-challenger scenario, Whittaker has the tools to win. Against Chimaev, it is harder to see.
5. Nassourdine Imavov — No.3 Contender
The French fighter is one of the most technically refined middleweights in the UFC’s current roster. His kickboxing is clean and his range management is excellent. He has beaten multiple top-ten opponents but has not yet been tested at the very highest level. A win over a top-two contender would cement his place in the title picture.
6. Marvin Vettori — No.4 Contender
The Italian Hammer remains a tough out for anyone. His grinding style and durability have kept him in the top five for years. Vettori does not have the weapons to beat Chimaev, but in a contender’s division where points lead to title shots, his ability to rack up decision wins against ranked opponents keeps him relevant.
7. Joe Pyfer — Rising Contender (No.5)
Pyfer may be the most exciting middleweight not named Chimaev in the division right now. He knocked out Israel Adesanya in his most recent appearance — one of the most significant single wins by any UFC middleweight in 2026. The 27-year-old hits with extraordinary power for the weight class and is fearless in exchanges. His path to a title shot could accelerate quickly if he picks up another ranked win.
8. Israel Adesanya — Former Champion (Ranked No.6)
The Nigerian-born New Zealander’s legacy remains extraordinary — two reigns as middleweight champion, multiple Fight of the Year performances, and a cultural footprint in the sport that transcends his record. But at 36, following back-to-back losses to Strickland and Pyfer, the question is whether he has another run in him. He remains ranked, but the gap to the contenders below him is closing. Read our April pound-for-pound rankings for the full picture.
9. Brendan Allen — No.7 Ranked
Allen faces Paulo Costa on the next UFC Fight Night card, a fight that will significantly reshape the top of the rankings either way. Both men are physical, durable, and willing to fight at close quarters. Allen has the better ground game; Costa brings the higher knockout threat. This is the fight that matters most in the middleweight division after UFC 328. Follow all UFC and MMA coverage at Unicorn Blogger.
10. Paulo Costa — No.8 Ranked
The Brazilian is back and motivated. His beef with the UFC over fight fees and scheduling has been public and ongoing, but when Costa actually fights, he is a level-changing opponent for anyone in the top ten. His physical preparation heading into the Allen fight appears to be the best of his career. A win here puts him back in the title conversation for 2026.
Our UFC 328 Verdict
Our view at Unicorn Blogger: Chimaev wins, and wins convincingly. Strickland is one of the most mentally tough fighters in the UFC. His refusal to engage in trash talk and his unfiltered personality make him one of the sport’s most interesting figures. But inside the Octagon, against Chimaev’s wrestling, he faces a problem that boxing output cannot solve. We are calling Chimaev by third-round ground-and-pound TKO. Watch UFC 328 live on May 9 via UFC’s official broadcast partners.
Key Takeaways
- UFC 328 takes place May 9, 2026 in Newark — Chimaev defends the middleweight title against Strickland.
- Chimaev enters undefeated; his wrestling is the single most dominant weapon in the 185 lb division.
- Du Plessis, Whittaker, and Imavov are the legitimate next-in-line contenders behind UFC 328.
- Joe Pyfer’s KO win over Adesanya makes him the most exciting rising force in the division.
- Our pick: Chimaev by TKO in round 3 — Strickland’s boxing cannot neutralise elite wrestling.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UFC 328?
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland takes place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. It is the first UFC event in Newark since UFC 316 in June 2025.
Is Khamzat Chimaev undefeated?
Yes. Khamzat Chimaev is undefeated in his professional MMA career. He has never lost a fight in any promotion and entered UFC 328 as the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion. He is widely considered the most dominant middleweight in UFC history at this stage of his career.
Has Sean Strickland held the UFC middleweight title?
Yes. Sean Strickland held the UFC Middleweight Championship after defeating Israel Adesanya in 2023 in one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history. He later lost the title and is now challenging Chimaev at UFC 328 for the chance to become a two-time middleweight champion.
Who is the current UFC Middleweight Champion?
Khamzat Chimaev is the current UFC Middleweight Champion as of 2026. He won the title and has not yet made a successful defense heading into UFC 328, where Sean Strickland challenges for the belt.
