Sean Strickland captured his second middleweight title on Saturday with a split-decision win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, earning the No. 1 spot in ESPN's divisional rankings at 185 pounds. His relentless volume did the heavy lifting -- more than 80 strike attempts in each of the final three rounds overwhelmed Chimaev and sealed the fight. Strickland first dethroned Israel Adesanya in 2023 but lost the belt to Dricus du Plessis four months later, then fell short in a rematch last year.

The win vaults Strickland three positions to the top of the division while Chimaev slips one spot to No. 2. ESPN's rankings, current as of May 12, reflect the shift in power at 185 pounds after Strickland's career-best performance against one of the division's most hyped prospects.

At welterweight, Sean Brady climbed one spot to No. 7 after defeating ninth-ranked Joaquin Buckley on the same card. Chimaev's drop to No. 2 means the door remains open for another challenger, but Strickland's second title reign puts him firmly in control of the middleweight division right now.