Anderson Silva silenced many of his remaining critics with an emphatic knockout of Yushin Okami. The middleweight division may not have the same depth as some of the other divisions, but rising fighters like Mark Munoz, Luke Rockhold, and Brian Stann provide fresh challengers. Here’s how the top 10 middleweights break down after recent events:
1: Anderson Silva
Record: 31-4 (won last 15)
Recent opponents: Yushin Okami, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen
Upcoming: Unknown
With a shoulder injury to Silva, there is plenty of time to build towards a Silva-Sonnen rematch if Sonnen beats Brian Stann. This would go a long way in seeing if Sonnen’s performance was mostly a fluke/because of Silva’s rib injury or if Sonnen truly can beat Silva.
2: Chael Sonnen
Record: 25-11-1 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Anderson Silva (loss), Nate Marquardt, Yushin Okmai
Upcoming: vs Brian Stann @ UFC 136
Sonnen has finally gotten past the doping and criminal fraud issues. As the guy who won 4 rounds against Anderson Silva, there is plenty to be settled in a rematch.
3: Yushin Okami
Record: 26-6 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Anderson Silva (loss), Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz
Upcoming: Unknown
Okami was the last person to have beaten Anderson Silva, though this was a victory by disqualification. In the rematch, he was knocked out. Having lost to Sonnen and Silva, he’s the clear #3 man in this division.
4: Nate Marquardt
Record: 31-10-2 (won last 1)
Recent opponents: Dan Miller, Yushin Okami (loss), Rousimar Palhares
Upcoming: Unknown
In one of the most controversial stories of the summer, Marquardt was kicked out of the UFC as he was set to make his welterweight debut. He has yet to make his debut in BAMMA.
5: Mark Munoz
Record: 11-2 (won last 3)
Recent opponents: Demian Maia, CB Dollaway, Aaron Simpson
Upcoming: vs Chris Leben @ UFC 138
Munoz has been rewarded with a main event fight against Chris Leben. He is 6-1 since dropping to middleweight.
6: Demian Maia
Record: 14-3 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Mark Munoz (loss), Kendall Grove, Mario Miranda
Upcoming: vs Jorge Santiago @ UFC 136
Perennial contender Maia was upset by Mark Munoz in his last fight.
7: Luke Rockhold
Record: 8-1 (won last 7)
Recent opponents: Ronaldo Souza, Paul Bradley, Jesse Taylor
Upcoming: Unknown
Rockhold has rocketed into prominence with a close decision victory over Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza.
8: Ronaldo Souza
Record: 14-3-1 (lost last )
Recent opponents: Luke Rockhold (loss), Robbie Lawler, Tim Kennedy
Upcoming: Unknown
Jacare suffered his 1st loss in Strikeforce, bringing his title reign to an end.
9: Brian Stann
Record: 11-3 (won last 3)
Recent opponents: Jorge Santiago, Chris Leben, Mike Massenzio
Upcoming: vs Chael Sonnen @ UFC 136
Stann is 3-0 since dropping to middleweight. By beating Leben and Santiago, he vaulted himself into title eliminator status.
10: Jorge Santiago
Record: 23-9 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Brian Stann (loss), Kauzo Misaki, Mamed Khalidov
Upcoming: vs Demian Maia @ UFC 136
Santiago might be an extremely entertaining fighter, but he hasn’t been able to perform well in the UFC. Another loss might see him get cut for a 2nd time.
Notes:
Michael Bisping drops from the top 10 with the entry of Luke Rockhold.
