The UFC’s latest event in Saudi Arabia has sparked significant movement in the middleweight division rankings. The high-stakes card, which featured two pivotal 185-pound matchups, has reshaped the top 15 contenders ahead of the upcoming title fight at UFC 312.
Major Middleweight Shake-Up Following UFC Saudi Arabia
One of the biggest stories coming out of the event was the downfall of previously undefeated prospect Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov. In the co-main event, Magomedov faced off against the flashy and experienced Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Over the course of three rounds, Page dominated the Russian striker, handing him the first defeat of his professional career.
Following the fight, Magomedov claimed he was far from 100% going into the contest, but regardless of the circumstances, his loss has had a direct impact on the rankings. Once a surging contender, he now finds himself on the outside looking in as he attempts to rebuild his momentum in the UFC.
Bo Nickal and Roman Kopylov Enter the Top 15
With Magomedov’s exit from the rankings, the middleweight division has welcomed two fresh faces. Bo Nickal, the highly touted wrestling sensation, has claimed the #15 spot after his dominant performance against Paul Craig at UFC 309 in November. Meanwhile, Roman Kopylov, who recently secured a controversial stoppage win over Chris Curtis, has climbed to #14.
Veteran contender Jack Hermansson has also dropped out of the rankings despite not having fought since his win over Joe Pyfer a year ago. His removal makes way for the rising contenders who have been making waves inside the Octagon.
Beyond the lower half of the rankings, the top of the division has also undergone a shift. Former champion Israel Adesanya has slipped down two places, while Nassourdine Imavov’s stunning victory over ‘The Last Stylebender’ has propelled him three spots up to become the #2-ranked middleweight contender.
With UFC 312 on the horizon, the middleweight landscape continues to evolve, setting the stage for more intense battles in the division.
UFC Rankings
FLYWEIGHT
Champion: Alexandre Pantoja
- Brandon Royval
- Brandon Moreno
- Amir Albazi
- Kai Kara France
- Tatsuro Taira
- Manel Kape
- Alex Perez
- Asu Almabayev
- Steve Erceg
- Tim Elliott
- Tagir Ulanbekov
- Charles Johnson
- Bruno Silva
- Kai Asakura
- Joshua Van
BANTAMWEIGHT
Champion: Merab Dvalishvili
1. Sean O’Malley
2. Petr Yan
3. Umar Nurmagomedov
4. Cory Sandhagen
5. Deiveson Figueiredo
6. Marlon Vera
7. Henry Cejudo
8. Song Yadong
9. Rob Font
10. Mario Bautista
11. Jose Aldo
12. Kyler Phillips
13. Aiemann Zahabi
14. Marcus McGhee
15. Montel Jackson
FEATHERWEIGHT
Champion: Ilia Topuria
1. Alexander Volkanovski
2. Max Holloway
3. Diego Lopes
4. Movsar Evloev
5. Yair Rodriguez
6. Brian Ortega
7. Arnold Allen
8. Josh Emmett
9. Aljamain Sterling
10. Calvin Kattar
11. Lerone Murphy
12. Giga Chikadze
13. Bryce Mitchell
14. Dan Ige
15. Edson Barboza
LIGHTWEIGHT
Champion: Islam Makhachev
1. Arman Tsarukyan
2. Charles Oliveira
3. Justin Gaethje
4. Dustin Poirier
5. Max Holloway
6. Dan Hooker
7. Michael Chandler
8. Mateusz Gamrot
9. Beneil Dariush
10. Renato Moicano
11. Rafael Fiziev
12. Paddy Pimblett
13. Jalin Turner
14. Benoit Saint Denis
15. Grant Dawson
WELTERWEIGHT
Champion: Belal Muhammed
1. Leon Edwards
2. Shavkat Rakhmonov
3. Kamaru Usman
4. Jack Della Maddalena
6. Sean Brady
6. Joaquin Buckley
7. Ian Machado Garry
8. Gilbert Burns
9. Colby Covington
10. Geoff Neal
11. Stephen Thompson
12. Michael Morales
13. Carlos Prates
14. Vicente Luque
15. Michael Page
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Champion: Dricus Du Plessis
1. Sean Strickland
2. Nassourdine Imavov +3
3. Khamzat Chimaev
4. Israel Adesanya -2
5. Robert Whittaker -1
6. Caio Borralho
7. Jared Cannonier +1
8. Marvin Vettori -1
9. Brendan Allen
10. Roman Dolidze
11. Paulo Costa
12. Anthony Hernandez
13. Michel Pereira +2
14. Roman Kopylov *NR
15. Bo Nickal *NR
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Alex Pereira
1. Magomed Ankalaev
2. Jiri Prochazka
3. Jan Blachowicz
4. Jamahal Hill
5. Aleksandar Rakic
6. Carlos Ulberg
7. Khalil Rountree
8. Nikita Krylov
9. Volkan Oezdemir
10. Johnny Walker
11. Dominick Reyes
12. Azamat Murzakanov
13. Bogdan Guskov
14. Anthony Smith
15. Alonzo Menifield
HEAVYWEIGHT
Champion: Jon Jones
1. Tom Aspinall
2. Ciryl Gane
3. Alexander Volkov
4. Sergei Pavlovich
5. Curtis Blaydes
6. Jailton Almeida
7. Serghei Spivac
8. Marcin Tybura
9. Derrick Lewis +1
10. Tai Tuivasa +1
11. Shamil Gaziev +3
12. Waldo Cortes Acosta +1
13. Mick Parkin +2
14. Don’Tale Mayes *NR
15. Jhonata Diniz *NR
Follow FIGHTCORE for more updates.
