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UFC Middleweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 185-pound Middleweight division - April 2010 Update

While its athletes may not pack as much concussive force and steady aggression as the light heavyweight class, the UFC’s middleweight division has come leaps and bounds in terms of world-class fighters in the last few years. With the champion currently ranked number 2 in the Pro Fighting Fans pound-for-pound rankings, this division is only going to get deeper with time. Also be sure to see our MMA Middleweight rankings as we take a look at the top 185 pound fighters in the UFC and other MMA organizations across the globe.

Chael Sonnen dominated Nate Marquardt at UFC 109 to emerge as the top contender in the UFC's Middleweight Division. It appears that Sonnen will get his shot at Anderson Silva atop UFC 117 fight card.

1. Anderson Silva – (26-4; 11-0 UFC) – “The Spider” remains at the top of the 185-pounders, although, he does so after a lackluster UFC 112 victory over Demian Maia where he mocked him for the first two rounds and ran away from him during the final three. Silva will have to be defeated to be dethroned from the top position. It is rumored that Chael Sonnen, who is not shy to criticize Silva, will get the next shot at his belt.

2. Chael Sonnen – (25-10-1; 4-3) – Sonnen is a hard-working wrestler who has earned victories in his last three bouts. It looks as if Sonnen will get the next opportunity to defeat Anderson Silva as the two are rumored to fight atop the UFC 117 fight card. He earned that opportunity with impressive victories over Dan Miller, Yushin Okami, and Nate Marquardt. His victory over Marquardt was his most recent, earning the victory via unanimous decision at UFC 109 in February.

3. Vitor Belfort – (19-8; 8-4 UFC) – Belfort was riding in the front seat for a title shot against Silva, but, after he had to pull out due to injury prior to UFC 112, he lost that front seat position. Belfort returned to the UFC last September riding a four-fight winning streak. He made it five in a row after his UFC 103 KO of Rich Franklin in Dallas, Texas.

4. Nate Marquardt – (29-9-2; 8-3 UFC) – Marquardt had a three-fight winning streak and was being named as a possible contender for the belt, that is until he dropped his most recent fight at UFC 109 against Chael Sonnen this past February. Marquardt has won four out of six since he was defeated by Anderson Silva at UFC 72 in July 2007 in his first title fight. He is still considered to be one of the best middleweights in the organization.

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5. Demian Maia – (12-2; 6-2 UFC) – Prior to this month’s UFC 112, Maia was considered a legitimate threat to Anderson Silva and the middleweight belt, but after a lackluster performance in Abu Dhabi it will take awhile before he can be considered that again. Maia fought hard, but even with Silva goofing off, he had no chance against the champ. Maia will remain in the top-5, much in large part to his outstanding jiu-jitsu.

6. Yushin Okami – (24-5; 8-2 UFC) – Since arriving in the UFC, Okami has been better than expected. Although his style does not always bring fireworks, Okami wins nonetheless. Okami lost to Chael Sonnen at UFC 104 ending any chance at a title opportunity, but after defeating Lucio Linhares at UFC Fight Night 21 in March, he jumps right back in the mix.

7. Wanderlei Silva – (33-10-1-1; 3-5 UFC) – It seems that the “The Axe Murderer” has found a new home in the middleweight division. After losing to Rich Franklin at a 195-pound catchweight, he dropped down to earn a unanimous decision over Michael Bisping at UFC 110 this February. Silva will fight Yoshihiro Akiyama next on the UFC 116 fight card this July in Las Vegas.

8. Yoshihiro Akiyama – (13-1-2; 1-0 UFC) – Akiyama came over from Japan after winning back-to-back bouts in the DREAM organization. He won a razor-sharp decision at UFC 100 last July over Alan Belcher taking home “Fight of the Night” honors for his efforts as well. His next bout will come in July at UFC 116 against Wanderlei Silva.

9. Michael Bisping – (18-3; 8-3 UFC) – Bisping dropped a close decision against Wanderlei Silva at UFC 110 in February after a TKO victory over Denis Kang late last year. “The Count” needs to regroup quickly if he wants to be considered a viable option for top-level middleweights. He is supposed to fight Dan Miller at UFC 114 in May on the main card of “Rampage vs. Evans” event.

10. Mark Munoz – (8-1; 3-1 UFC) – The former Division I wrestler looks to have found a home as a 185-pounder. After dropping a light-heavyweight bout against Matt Hamill in his organizational debut, he dropped down a division and went on a hot streak. Munoz has won three straight fights including stopping Kendall Grove at UFC 112 earlier this month.

Look for Top Ten UFC Rankings to be up the first week of every month from here on out, exclusively on ProFighting-fans.com.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Published April 2010
Photo used with permission from the UFC

UFC Middleweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 185-pound Middleweight division - April 2010 Update

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