MMA Rankings > MMA Middleweight Rankings
MMA Middleweight Rankings
A review and ranking of the top 10 185-pound fighters in Mixed Martial Arts - January 2010 Update
In the past year we have seen the emergence of a strong competitor of the UFC as Strikeforce began the year in acquiring EliteXC then signing Fedor Emelianenko, Dan Henderson and many other solid names in MMA. As a result the Middleweight Top 10 list below now shows 3 fighters from Strikeforce proving the UFC's dominance is slowing. However, with the UFC having 3 of the top 4 fighters on our top middleweights list including the #2 MMA fighter in our pound-for-pound rankings, the 185 pound weight class is showing it's depth as we head into 2010.
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Dan Henderson, pictured above at UFC 88, defeated Michael Bisping at UFC 100 and has since signed with Strikeforce. Henderson is expected to fight Jake Shields for the Middleweight belt in April 2010. |
1. Anderson Silva – (25-4) – Since coming to the UFC in June 2006, “The Spider,” has been perfect winning all ten of his bouts. He became the 185-pound champ in just his second UFC fight and went on to defend his strap six times. Among his other accomplishments include a pair of wins in the UFC's Light Heavyweight division, including his most recent action in August at UFC 101 where he stopped Forrest Griffin via 1st round TKO. Rumors are running rampant that Silva will fight Vitor Belfort in April in his next title defense.
2. Dan Henderson – (25-7) – The newly-signed Strikeforce middleweight is a legitimate threat to anyone in the world at 185 pounds. After losing championship bouts to Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva, Henderson won three consecutive UFC bouts and re-established himself as a top contender. He could not come to an agreement after fulfilling the terms of his UFC contract, so he decided to jump ship to Strikeforce where he expects to fight Jake Shields on the April 17 Strikeforce fight card for the Middleweight Championship.
3. Nate Marquardt – (29-8-2) – The former King of Pancrase came to the UFC in August 2005 and won his first four bouts to earn a shot at Anderson Silva’s middleweight belt. At UFC 73, Silva overwhelmed Marquardt with strikes and finished him via 1st round TKO. He has reestablished himself as a top 185-pounder by defeating Demian Maia in August at UFC 102 and will next battle Chael Sonnen at UFC 109 on Super Bowl weekend in February.
4. Vitor Belfort – (19-8) – The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champ returned to the organization for the first time in 4½ years at UFC 103 in September. He earned a 1st round TKO of Rich Franklin and “Knockout of the Night” honors at the Dallas, Texas event which took place at a catch weight of 195-pounds. The victory was his fifth straight and fourth stoppage during that period. He is tentatively scheduled to fight Anderson Silva in April for the UFC Middleweight Championship.
5. Jake Shields – (24-4-1) – The current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion has won 13 in a row, defeating the likes of Carlos Condit, Paul Daley and Robbie Lawler during that span. He won his 185-pound strap in his last bout in November with a lopsided decision victory over Jason “Mayhem” Miller. He is rumored to be defending his title on Strikeforce's April 17 card opposite of Dan Henderson on the next edition of CBS “Saturday Night Fights.” 6. Demian Maia – (11-1) – Maia, a teammate of UFC legend Wanderlei Silva, suffered his first career loss in August via 21-second KO at the hands of Nate Marquardt. Prior to that UFC 102 loss, Maia piled up eleven straight victories including five inside the octagon. He will try and get back into title contention in February at UFC 109 when he meets Dan Miller. 7. Chael Sonnen – (24-10-1) – The Team Quest standout is in his second stint with the UFC, the last time after periods with Bodog Fight and the WEC. He returned in February at UFC 95 losing to Demian Maia via submission. He has rebounded by putting together back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Dan Miller at UFC 98 and Yushin Okami at UFC 104. He is scheduled to meet Nate Marquardt in February at UFC 109 in a very meaningful middleweight bout. |
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8. Yoshihiro Akiyama – (13-1) – The former K-1 Hero’s, Yarennoka, and DREAM veteran, came into the UFC with lofty expectations. Not having lost since his second career bout (11-0 2 NC), Akiyama got the better of Alan Belcher in July at UFC 100 winning via split decision. “Sexyama” was scheduled to fight Wanderlei Silva in February; however the organization chose to pit Silva against Michael Bisping which leaves the Japanese superstar without an opponent for the time being.
9. Kazuo Misaki – (22-9-2) – The 2006 PRIDE MW GP winner has fought for a variety of organizations over the last three years. During that span, he lost only once, for the Sengoku Middleweight Title against Jorge Santiago. He won his most recent fight, also in the Sengoku promotion, using a (technical) submission to finish off Kazuhiro Nakamura. “The Grabaka Hitman” has signed to fight with Strikeforce, but will first battle Melvin Manhoef at the Dynamite 2009 New Year’s Eve event.
10. Yushin Okami – (23-5) – A UFC veteran since August 2006, Okami has been consistently impressive compiling a record of 7-2 inside the octagon. He lost to Rich Franklin at UFC 72 in June 2007 in a #1 Middleweight contender bout, and after three straight victories, lost again in his most recent fight at UFC 104 against Chael Sonnen. He does not have a bout scheduled at this time.
Look for more MMA rankings to be updated every month exclusively on ProFighting-fans.com.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published December 2009
Photo used with permission from the UFC