MMA Rankings > UFC Middleweight Rankings

UFC Middleweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 185-pound Middleweight division - October 2009 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 two 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.

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Dan Henderson, pictured above at UFC 88, defeated Michael Bisping at UFC 100 and still looks to become the top contender for Anderson Silva's Middleweight belt.

1. Anderson Silva – (25-4) – Widely recognized as the top pound for pound fighter in the world, the last time Anderson Silva lost a fight was January 2006. After destroying former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 101, you would think that Anderson waits for his next test in the form of either Dan Henderson or Nate Marquardt, but it is being rumored that Silva will face Vitor Belfort at UFC 108.

2. Dan Henderson – (25-7) – Former Pride middleweight champion Dan Henderson has been the only guy to take a round from Anderson in his UFC career, but that doesn’t hold water when you get submitted in the next round. Henderson just sent Michael Bisping into orbit with a vicious knockout at UFC 100, but Henderson looks to be in limbo as he is currently unsigned and threatening to leave the organization.

3. Nate Marquardt – (29-8-2) – Since his loss in 2007 to Anderson Silva, Marquardt has absolutely destroyed his competition, putting together three straight dominating performances over top competition, most recently a 30 second knockout of Demian Maia at UFC 102. Don’t be surprised to see him rematch “The Spider” in the near future, however Dana White is insisting he fights “Hendo” first.

4. Vitor Belfort – (19-8) – Belfort is another guy that’s been on a roll lately, posting victories in his last five fights and knocking out four of those opponents. Returning for the first time since a 2005 loss to Tito Ortiz, Belfort made quick work of former middleweight champ Rich Franklin, knocking him out 3:02 into the 1st round. It looks as if “The Phenom” will be next in line to fight Anderson Silva, probably sometime in early 2010, rumored to be at UFC 108.

5. Yushin Okami – (23-4) – Yushin Okami is perhaps the most overlooked middleweight in the UFC. Okami hasn’t fought since UFC 92, but has a 7-1 record inside the UFC, with his only loss to Rich Franklin. Okami will be taking on Chael Sonnen at UFC 104, and a victory over Sonnen has to put Okami right up near the top of the heap.

6. Demian Maia – (11-1) – After tearing through the UFC middleweight ranks with five straight submission victories, Maia ran into the “red-hot” Nate Marquardt at UFC 102. Despite a knockout loss to Nate “The Great,” Maia remains one of the people to watch out for in the middleweight division.

7. Yoshihiro Akiyama – (13-1) – “Sexyama” debuted at UFC 100 with a hard fought split decision victory over Alan Belcher, his first fight in the U.S. Akiyama has only one loss in his career, to Jerome LeBanner at a K-1 event in 2005. Now training at the Vegas-based Xtreme Couture, Akiyama should improve on his already potent striking game. He is rumored to be fighting Wanderlei Silva at UFC 108.

8. Chael Sonnen – (23-10-1) – Despite losing in his return to the UFC at UFC 95 against Demain Maia, Sonnen was impressive in dominating Dan Miller at UFC 98. The former Bodog Fight, Rumble on the Rock, and Extreme Challenge veteran has won 13 of his 23 victories via decisions. His strengths are his wrestling and jiu-jitsu but he is well-rounded in all areas.

9. Michael Bisping – (17-2) – “The Count” was reeling when he was brutally knocked out by Dan Henderson’s right hand at UFC 100 in July. The former TUF 3 winner is 7-2 in his UFC career, including victories against Eric Schafer, Matt Hamill, and Chris Leben. He is scheduled to fight Denis Kang November 15th at UFC 105 in Manchester, England.

10. Patrick Cote – (13-5) – Was on a five-fight win streak when his knee gave out on him against Anderson Silva at UFC 90 one year ago. During his recent streak, Cote earned victories against some impressive fighters, including Scott Smith, Drew McFedries, Kendall Grove and Ricardo Almeida. “The Predator” is rehabbing for a fight sometime in early 2010.

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 MMA Staff Writer

Published Ocotber 2009
Photo used with permission from the UFC

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July 2009 UFC Middleweight Division Rankings