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Middleweight
1. Robert Whittaker (20-4)
After nearly a year away from competition, Whittaker returned to the Octagon and delivered an instant classic in a rematch against Yoel Romero in the UFC 225 headliner. The Australia-based fighter survived knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds to hold off “The Soldier of God” -- a man he also defeated for interim 185-pound gold at UFC 213 -- for a narrow split decision triumph. Whittaker, who has won nine consecutive fights, will coach opposite Kelvin Gastelum on Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter” before squaring off with his rival at UFC 234 on Feb. 9 in Melbourne, Australia.2. Yoel Romero (13-3)
Romero was not eligible to win a title at UFC 225, but he still delivered a memorable performance in his rematch with Robert Whittaker. Despite landing knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds, “The Soldier of God” lost a heartbreaking split verdict in the June 9 headliner at the United Center in Chicago. Romero’s difficulties on the scale of late had him contemplating a move to 205 pounds, but instead, he will remain at middleweight. However, a potentially explosive showdown with up-and-comer Paulo Henrique Costa — scheduled for both UFC 230 and UFC Fight Night Brooklyn — has twice fallen through.3. Kelvin Gastelum (16-3)
Gastelum made a major statement in Rio de Janeiro by taking a hard-fought split decision over former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza on May 12. Gastelum survived having “Jacare” on his back in the opening frame, dropped his adversary in the second round and held on down the stretch to earn perhaps the most significant win of his career to date. That victory earned the Kings MMA representative a future showdown with middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. First, Gastelum and Whittaker will coach opposing teams on “The Ultimate Fighter 28” before squaring off at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 9.4. Ronaldo Souza (26-6)
After having lost two of his last three bouts heading into UFC 230, Souza showed he still has plenty left in the tank against Chris Weidman at Madison Square Garden. After engaging in a back-and-forth slugfest for more than two rounds, “Jacare” knocked Weidman silly with a right hand to the temple in the third stanza. A couple follow-up blows ended the bout at the 2:46 mark, and re-established the 38-year-old Brazilian as a title contender in the UFC’s middleweight division.5. Luke Rockhold (16-4)
Rockhold once looked capable of a lengthy reign as UFC middleweight champion. However, the California native is now on the outside of the title picture looking in after suffering a brutal third-round knockout loss to Yoel Romero in the UFC 221 headliner in Perth, Australia. The American Kickboxing Academy product was booked in a rematch against Chris Weidman at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York but was forced to withdraw from the booking due to injury.6. Gegard Mousasi (45-6-2)
Mousasi did exactly what he was supposed to do, as he took apart welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in the Bellator 206 main event to retain his 185-pound belt. The Armenian-born Dutchman picked MacDonald apart with a crisp jab before unloading with brutal punches and elbows from full mount to secure a stoppage in the second stanza. The UFC veteran will make his next title defense against American jiu-jitsu ace Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 214 on Jan. 26.7. Chris Weidman (14-4)
Madison Square Garden has not been kind to “The All American.” Weidman returned following a lengthy injury-related hiatus at UFC 230, but the result was disappointing, as he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Ronaldo Souza in the evening’s co-main event. The former middleweight champion has now lost four of his last five Octagon appearances, including another brutal knockout loss against Yoel Romero in the UFC’s MSG debut in November 2016. His lone win during that time: a third-round submission of current No. 1 contender Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on Fox 25.8. Israel Adesanya (15-0)
It just keeps getting better and better for Adesanya. “The Last Stylebender” absolutely dismantled Derek Brunson at UFC 230, flooring the North Carolina native three times en route to a spectacular first-round technical knockout victory. The Nigerian-born fighter has now earned four consecutive victories in the Octagon, setting himself up nicely as a rising contender in the middleweight division. He’ll get a chance to add a very nice feather to his cap when he faces former champ Anderson Silva at UFC 234 on Feb. 9.9. Jared Cannonier (11-4)
After so-so results during stints at heavyweight and light heavyweight, Cannonier may have found a home at 185 pounds. Sporting a new-and-improved physique, “The Killa Gorilla” scored a second-round technical knockout stoppage of David Branch at UFC 230. Cannonier is just 4-4 during his promotional tenure overall, but his path is looking much more interesting following the most significant win of his career to date.10. Paulo Henrique Costa (12-0)
One of the sport’s most physically imposing middleweights, Costa was supposed to fight Yoel Romero at UFC 230. While the bout was announced by the promotion, it was never a done deal because Romero had not been medically cleared. Whether it’s Romero or another opponent, “Borrachinha” has established himself as a forced to be reckoned with thanks to TKO finishes in his first four Octagon appearances.Other Contenders: Antonio Carlos Jr., David Branch, Derek Brunson, Thiago Santos, Elias Theodorou.
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