The UFC has made some changes to its pound-for-pound ranking, and it affected the middleweight champ Sean Strickland and bantamweight king Sean O’Malley. However, while the change is good news for the latter, who moved up one step in rank, “Tarzan” had one step downward.
The changes happened ahead of Strickland’s title defense against title challenger Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 on Saturday. According to Bet MGM, the champ is the -120 favorite in the bout, while his opponent is the +100 underdog. Many fans are rooting for the division victor, especially with a recent report showing the fighter’s huge body improvements.
On the other hand, the change allowed O’Malley to take Strickland’s former spot in the ranking. From the eighth place, “Sugar” is now the No. 7-ranked pound-for-pound fighter of the promotion.
Luckily for Strickland, the numbers can still change, especially with both of them officially booked for their respective title defenses. This weekend, one of UFC’s notorious trash talkers would face the South African Du Plessis in the cage for their grudge fight. In case he wins and makes a remarkable finish, there’s a chance the ranking might change again, but in his favor this time.
