Tapology has launched a new feature that quantifies the level of opposition each UFC fighter has faced. The rating system uses a proprietary formula to calculate scores from 1 to 99 based on a fighter's last six UFC bouts, with fights in other organizations not included in the calculation. For UFC 328, Sean Strickland has the highest opposition rating at 74, followed by Khamzat Chimaev at 69 and Alexander Volkov at 67. At the other end of the spectrum, Baysangur Susurkaev and Ozzy Diaz share the lowest rating of 4 on the card. The system provides fans and analysts with a statistical measure of strength of schedule, though the specific formula details are available on Tapology's website. This data point adds another layer of context when evaluating fighter records and accomplishments.
Tapology has unveiled a new opponent quality rating system ahead of UFC 328, giving fans and analysts a numerical way to assess the strength of schedule each fighter on a card has accumulated.
The feature assigns scores from 1 to 99 based on a fighter's last six UFC appearances, with bouts in other promotions excluded from the calculation. For the UFC 328 card, which takes place on May 9, 2026, middleweight champion Sean Strickland leads all fighters with an opposition rating of 74. Khamzat Chimaev is second at 69, and Alexander Volkov sits third at 67. At the opposite end, Baysangur Susurkaev and Ozzy Diaz each hold the card's lowest mark at 4. Full details of the proprietary formula are published on Tapology's website.
Strickland, the 35-year-old American champion out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 31-7-0 record and is one of the most active strikers in the middleweight division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. He stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and competes out of an orthodox stance.
Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division, holds a 40-11-0 record and fights out of Russia for Strela Team. The six-foot-seven heavyweight has an 80-inch reach and posts a striking accuracy of 57 percent, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute over his career.
Why it matters
- The system offers a concrete, data-driven way to contextualize fighter records beyond raw win-loss totals.
- Rankings implications become clearer when opposition quality can be weighed alongside performance metrics.
- Limiting the window to six UFC bouts means the score reflects recent scheduling rather than a fighter's entire career arc.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
