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Middleweight
1. Alex Pereira (8-2) | UFC [1]
“Poatan” made a successful light heavyweight debut at UFC 291, earning a split decision win over former 205-pound champ Jan Blachowicz. In so doing, the former middleweight titleholder made his case for a shot at the light heavyweight strap vacated in July by the injured Jamahal Hill. He’ll get that opportunity against former title holder Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 295 co-main event.2. Sean Strickland (28-5) | UFC [2]
Strickland was given little chance of being competitive — much less winning — in his middleweight championship clash with Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. So of course, the Xtreme Couture representative shocked the world, outdueling his celebrated foe for five rounds to capture the middleweight strap in one of the biggest upsets in promotion history. Strickland has authored a memorable campaign with victories over Adesanya, Abusupiyan Magomedov and Nassourdine Imavov, and he figures to have no shortage of suitors waiting to challenge for the 185-pound belt in the months to come.3. Israel Adesanya (24-3) | UFC [3]
Adesanya authored one of the most perplexing performances by a champion in recent memory, falling to the lightly regarded Sean Strickland via unanimous decision in the UFC 293 headliner in Sydney. “The Last Stylebender” has now lost two of his last three outings at 185 pounds, but the good news is the Nigerian-born Kiwi avenged his previous defeat against Alex Pereira, and it is quite possible he’ll get to do the same in an immediate rematch with Strickland.4. Dricus Du Plessis (20-2) UFC [4]
Du Plessis silenced the doubters at UFC 290, as he defeated ex-middleweight champ Robert Whittaker via second-round technical knockout to establish himself as the clear No. 1 contender at 185 pounds. Shortly after his victory, Du Plessis had a charged confrontation with reigning champ Israel Adesanya in the Octagon. That was supposed to set the stage for a matchup at UFC 293, but Du Plessis was not healthy enough to accept the fight.5. Robert Whittaker (24-7) | UFC [5]
Whittaker entered UFC 290 as a heavy favorite against Dricus Du Plessis, but the former middleweight champion fell flat on fight night, losing to his South African foe via second-round technical knockout. That defeat all but rules out the possibility of a trilogy against rival Israel Adesanya. After being the clear No. 2 at 185 pounds for the past few years, “The Reaper” will have to prove he is not beginning the downside of his career in his next promotional appearance.6. Johnny Eblen (14-0) | Bellator [7]
Eblen continued to impress at Bellator 299, as he dropped Leon Edwards and rendered his foe unconscious with forceful ground-and-pound in the third round of their championship clash at the 3Arena in Dublin on Sept. 23. After wresting the middleweight crown from Gegard Mousasi in June 2022, the American Top Team product has defended the belt with wins over Edwards and Anatoly Tokov, further strengthening his claim to the title of world’s best middleweight.7. Jared Cannonier (17-6) | UFC [6]
Even at 39 years old, Jared Cannonier still seems to be improving. The MMA Lab product poured on the volume against Marvin Vettori in the UFC on ESPN 47 headliner, winning a clear-cut unanimous decision and setting a middleweight record for significant strikes landed in the process. “The Killa Gorilla” has won four of his last five Octagon appearances dating back to 2021, with his lone defeat coming at the hands of Israel Adesanya in a 185-pound title bout. Next, Cannonier will lock horns with Roman Dolidze on Dec. 2.8. Marvin Vettori (19-7-1) | UFC [8]
After nearly earning a finish in the opening stanza, Vettori was battered for the next four frames in a unanimous decision loss to Jared Cannonier in the UFC on ESPN 47 main event. “The Italian Dream” may have been too tough for his own good, as he absorbed a UFC middleweight record 241 significant strikes — including numerous heavy right hands from his opponent. Vettori has lost three of his last five outings and may be facing an uphill climb to get back into the middleweight title picture.9. Paulo Costa (14-2) | UFC [9]
Costa returned to the win column for the first time since 2019 at UFC 278, as he captured a unanimous decision against former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the evening’s co-main event at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was an encouraging step forward for the Brazilian following back-to-back defeats and issues making weight in his previous Octagon appearance. However, ongoing contract issues with the promotion eventually led to Costa backing out of a proposed showdown against Robert Whittaker at UFC 284. After agreeing to terms on a new deal with the promotion, “Borrachinha” was slated to square off against Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 291. However, plans changed, and now Costa will face Khamzat Chimaev in a high-profile pairing at UFC 284.10. Roman Dolidze (12-2) | UFC [10]
Dolidze’s four-fight Octagon winning streak came to an end at UFC 286, as he dropped a unanimous verdict against former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori in London on March 18. Dolidze was competitive throughout and often had his opponent on his heels, but Vettori was just a little more well-rounded in a bout that was contested almost exclusively on the feet. The Georgian will return to action against Jared Cannonier on Dec. 2.Other Contenders: Fabian Edwards, Gegard Mousasi, Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson, Kelvin Gastelum.
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