Shifting Power in the Rankings

The landscape of the UFC's middleweight division underwent a significant transformation at UFC 328 in Newark. Despite Khamzat Chimaev being widely considered the permanent face of the division, Sean Strickland defied expectations as a heavy underdog, securing a narrow points victory to become a two-time champion. This performance has earned Strickland the No. 9 spot in the May pound-for-pound rankings, effectively displacing Chimaev.

Another notable newcomer to the rankings this month is 24-year-old Joshua Van. Following his decisive victory over Tatsuro Taira at UFC 328, Van has established himself as a rising star, now positioned for a future rematch against Alexandre Pantoja.


The Selection Process

These rankings are compiled by a panel of experts, including Ben Fowlkes, Chuck Mindenhall, Shaheen Al-Shatti, Petesy Carroll, Drake Riggs, Eric Jackman, and Conner Burks. The list is determined through a weighted points system, where a top-ranked vote yields 10 points down to one point for the tenth position.

Eligibility for these rankings requires that a fighter has either competed within the last calendar year or has a fight officially booked within that timeframe. Fighters who have retired are ineligible, and while the list primarily features UFC talent, it remains open to athletes from other major promotions, including PFL/Bellator and ONE Championship.


Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings: May 2026

  1. Islam Makhachev (UFC Welterweight Champion): Still reigning supreme, with potential high-stakes matchups against Ian Machado Garry or rising threats like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales on the horizon.
  2. Ilia Topuria (UFC Lightweight Champion): Remaining focused as he balances his championship status with high-profile media appearances and potential future bouts against Justin Gaethje.
  3. Alexandre Pantoja (Former UFC Flyweight Champion): Currently scouting his next challenge, which appears to be the young contender Joshua Van.
  4. Petr Yan (UFC Bantamweight Champion): Recovering from back surgery, with a potential late-summer or fall trilogy fight against Merab Dvalishvili in the works.
  5. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC Featherweight Champion): Looking to add more legendary scalps, with a potential showdown against Movsar Evloev stirring interest.
  6. Alex Pereira (Former UFC Two-Division Champion): Maintaining his focus on a historic third title despite external chatter.
  7. Tom Aspinall (UFC Heavyweight Champion): Awaiting the outcome of the upcoming interim title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane to determine his next opponent.
  8. Merab Dvalishvili (Former UFC Bantamweight Champion): Taking a well-earned break after a grueling 2025 campaign.
  9. Sean Strickland (UFC Middleweight Champion): Re-entering the top 10 after his stunning upset of Chimaev; a defense against Nassourdine Imavov is being discussed.
  10. Joshua Van (UFC Flyweight Champion): Breaking into the top 10 following a dominant and clinical display of boxing at UFC 328.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings: May 2026

  1. Valentina Shevchenko (UFC Flyweight Champion): The longest-tenured champion remains at the top, though fans are eager for news on her next title defense.
  2. Kayla Harrison (UFC Bantamweight Champion): Recovering from surgery and engaging in public discourse with other notable fighters in the weight class.
  3. Zhang Weili (Former UFC Strawweight Champion): Rumored to be moving back to strawweight, possibly targeting Mackenzie Dern.
  4. Cris Cyborg (PFL Women’s Featherweight Champion): Remains a dominant force in the featherweight division.
  5. Dakota Ditcheva (PFL Flyweight Contender): Working toward a summer return following a hand injury.
  6. Natalia Silva (UFC Flyweight Contender): Boasting a strong resume of wins over former champions, Silva continues to push for a title opportunity.
  7. Manon Fiorot (UFC Flyweight Contender): Seeking a high-profile matchup to cement her status as a top contender.
  8. Seika Izawa (RIZIN Super Atomweight Champion): An undefeated phenom currently holding an 18-0 record with a high submission finish rate.
  9. Mackenzie Dern (UFC Strawweight Champion): Currently inactive in the cage, focusing on media appearances while fans await her next title defense.
  10. Erin Blanchfield (UFC Flyweight Contender): Looking to break the current logjam in the flyweight division through active competition.