Dana White and Co. have finally rolled out the latest UFC rankings—two days after UFC Vancouver. The update faced a brief delay due to an ‘AWS outage’ that disrupted multiple platforms, but things are now back to normal. Although it wasn’t a pay-per-view event, the UFC’s seventh stop in Vancouver still delivered major implications across several divisions—none more so than the middleweight ranks. The aftermath brought noticeable shake-ups, even for elite names like Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, who weren’t even on the card.

The much-anticipated clash between Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen sent ripples through the division. Israel Adesanya lost his No. 5 spot to Allen, who climbed four places. Meanwhile, de Ridder dropped to No. 8 following his loss. Other divisions also experienced significant shifts, making this one of the most dramatic ranking reshuffles in recent memory. Let’s break down the changes.

UFC Vancouver sparks major reshuffle across the promotion’s roster

Few could have foreseen the dramatic decline of former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who reigned over the division from 2019 to 2022 with six successful title defenses. Despite reclaiming his belt from Alex Pereira in their rematch at UFC 287, Adesanya has struggled to recapture his previous dominance, enduring three consecutive losses over the past two years. Following the latest rankings after UFC Vancouver, Adesanya now sits at No. 6. This moment marks a turning point, closing what was once a historic chapter in UFC history for the ‘Last Stylebender.’

Meanwhile, Reinier de Ridder also experienced his first defeat in the promotion after his corner stopped his bout against Brendan Allen ahead of Round 5. Consequently, the result sent ripples through the division, pushing former champion Robert Whittaker down to No. 9, while Jared Cannonier climbed back up to No. 10. Additionally, the women’s flyweight division witnessed a major shake-up as Manon Fiorot delivered a first-round knockout over Jasmine Jasudavicius, cementing her status as the division’s top contender.

So, Jasudavicius dropped from No. 5 to No. 7, while Natalia Silva moved down to No. 2. In contrast, Maycee Barber gained a spot to No. 5, and former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas claimed the No. 6 position. Turning to the bantamweight division, reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili now faces a growing threat from Aiemann Zahabi, who rose to No. 7 following his UFC Vancouver victory over Marlon Vera.

Consequently, Vera fell to No. 8, while Mario Bautista, scheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321, now ranks No. 9. Additionally, UFC veteran Rob Font moved up to No. 12. Meanwhile, in the welterweight division, Kevin Holland suffered his third defeat of the year, falling to Mike Malott. The result propelled Malott into the division’s top 15, while Holland dropped out of the rankings.

While the landscape is now clearer for several divisions, the middleweight division remains highly unsettled. With the roster stacked with dangerous contenders, the challenge for UFC matchmakers is greater than ever. Still, veteran journalists have put forward a potential blueprint for navigating the middleweight division in the months ahead.

Potential showdowns in the UFC middleweight division

Back in August, the middleweight division underwent a significant shake-up when Khamzat Chimaev dethroned Dricus Du Plessis as champion at UFC 319. The Chechen star is already eyeing top contenders, including No. 3 Sean Strickland, No. 4 Anthony Hernandez, and No. 2 Nassourdine Imavov, who has been vocally calling for a title shot and remains one of the division’s top-ranked fighters.

The emergence of Brendan Allen has raised further questions about the division’s future. With Dricus Du Plessis temporarily out of the picture, the path now appears set for a potential Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nassourdine Imavov title fight, likely scheduled for 2026 when Chimaev plans to return.

Other matchups to watch include Dricus Du Plessis vs. Reinier de Ridder or Brendan Allen. Another compelling fight could see Sean Strickland face Anthony Hernandez—Strickland is 1-2 in his last three bouts, both losses coming to ‘DDP’, while Hernandez is riding an eight-fight win streak, looking to solidify his claim for a future title opportunity. Last week, ‘Fluffy’ was set to face Reinier de Ridder; however, he pulled out due to an injury.

The UFC could potentially stage a compelling middleweight showdown featuring Caio Borralho against either Robert Whittaker or Israel Adesanya. With Whittaker and Adesanya both on the downswing of their careers, Borralho aims to regain momentum following his recent loss against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris, positioning himself back into title contention. Another intriguing matchup could see Whittaker take on Michael ‘Venom’ Page, a bout that carries significant top-10 implications within the division.

As the discussion wraps up, what’s your take on the other potential middleweight matchups we could see in the near future? Which fights stand out to you as the most compelling? Share your thoughts below.