Once again, Sean Strickland has thrown the pound-for-pound rankings into complete disarray.

The new two-time middleweight champion has made a career out of spoiling seemingly invincible fighters, and his latest victim, Khamzat Chimaev, paid a heavy price in the latest MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound rankings update. Strickland's split decision victory at UFC 328 sent shockwaves through the list, causing the now-former champion to plummet from No. 4 all the way down to No. 10.

This is not unfamiliar territory for the rankings panel. Strickland pulled off the same trick three years ago at UFC 293 when he dismantled Israel Adesanya, who at the time was ranked even higher than Chimaev. That result broke the system back then, and the aftermath of UFC 328 suggests the rankings have never truly recovered.

A Messy Post-Fight Picture

The current state of the pound-for-pound list reflects the chaos Strickland continues to create. The new champion finds himself back in the top 10 at No. 7. Chimaev, who entered the weekend as one of the sport's most feared fighters, tumbled down to No. 10 aided in part by the rapid rise of flyweight champion Joshua Van.

Perhaps the strangest development is Dricus du Plessis sitting at No. 13 despite holding two victories over Strickland. Add in the other oddities throughout the rankings, and it is clear that the system has not been the same since that first Strickland stunner in 2023.

Full Men's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Recent results for ranked fighters: Sean Strickland defeated No. 4 Khamzat Chimaev, Carlos Prates defeated No. 12 (tied) Jack Della Maddalena, No. 16 Joshua Van defeated Tatsuro Taira.

Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 2 Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14, No. 3 Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane at UFC White House on June 14.

Fighters also receiving votes: Ian Machado Garry (3), Justin Gaethje (1), Umar Nurmagomedov (1), Carlos Prates (1), Aljamain Sterling (1).

Falling out of the rankings: No. 12 (tied) Jack Della Maddalena.

Rank Fighter Movement

1 Islam Makhachev --

2 Ilia Topuria --

3 Alexander Volkanovski +1

4 Alex Pereira +1

5 Petr Yan +1

6 Tom Aspinall +1

7 Sean Strickland NR

8 Merab Dvalishvili +1

9 Joshua Van +1

10 Khamzat Chimaev -7

11 Alexandre Pantoja -2

12 Charles Oliveira -1

13 Dricus Du Plessis -1

14 Carlos Ulberg --

15 Arman Tsarukyan -2

How the Rankings Work

The five-person voting panel consists of MMA Fighting staffers Alexander K. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, Mike Heck, Damon Martin, and Jed Meshew.

Fighters are removed from the rankings if they do not compete within 18 months of their most recent bout in a given weight class. Updates are typically completed following each month's UFC pay-per-view.

When a fighter announces their retirement, the panel decides whether that fighter should be immediately removed or maintain their position until further notice. Holding a promotion's title does not guarantee that fighter will be viewed as the best in their promotion.

Fighters who regularly compete or hold titles in multiple weight classes are eligible to be ranked in multiple lists.