Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Middleweight
1. Dricus Du Plessis (22-2) UFC [1]
Despite an unorthodox style that often borders on ugly, Du Plessis continues to prove the doubters wrong. “Stillknocks” successfully defended his middleweight title for the first time at UFC 305, as he submitted Israel Adesanya with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round of their headlining encounter at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Du Plessis’ UFC winning streak now sits at eight, and future opponent options include Sean Strickland, the Robert Whittaker-Khamzat Chimaev winner and even Alex Pereira.2. Alex Pereira (11-2) | UFC [2]
Pereira added to his legend at UFC 303, as he vanquished Jiri Prochazka with a head kick and follow-up punches 13 seconds into the second round of their headlining encounter at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29. In addition to improving to 2-0 against Prochazka, “Poatan” secured his fourth championship fight victory since 2022 — all while helping save the marquee spot on a card that was vacated by Conor McGregor. To add further intrigue to an already memorable career, Pereira remains interested in testing his mettle at heavyweight in the near future. The Brazilian’s rankings eligibility at middleweight will expire on October 8, 2024.3. Sean Strickland (29-6) | UFC [3]
Strickland put forth a vintage performance in the UFC 302 co-main event, keeping Paulo Costa at bay with straight punches, front kicks and constant forward movement en route to a five-round, split-decision triumph at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on June 1. One bout removed from relinquishing the middleweight strap to Dricus Du Plessis in a closely-contested defeat at UFC 297, the Xtreme Couture product is sitting pretty to potentially receive another title shot in his next promotional outing.4. Israel Adesanya (24-4) | UFC [4]
Adesanya didn’t lack for motivation heading into the UFC 305 headliner, and while he certainly had his moments against Dricus Du Plessis, he ultimately succumbed to a face crank in the fourth round of their middleweight championship fight at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. After the bout, “The Last Stylebender” emphatically stated that he isn’t going anywhere, but with losses in three of his last four Octagon appearances, the Nigerian-born Kiwi might have to face the reality that another title opportunity might be at least a few fights away — if it arrives at all.5. Robert Whittaker (26-7) | UFC [5]
After original foe Khamzat Chimaev dropped out of headlining their fight at UFC on ABC 6, Whittaker agreed to take a risky fight against Ikram Aliskerov on short notice. The former middleweight champion was unfazed by the change, as he knocked out his Dagestani foe 1:49 into the opening stanza. “Bobby Knuckles” has won back-to-back outings against Aliskerov and Paulo Costa since being finished by current title holder Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 298. Whittaker’s matchup with Chimaev has been rescheduled for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.6. Nassourdine Imavov (14-4, 1 NC) | UFC [6]
While the stoppage itself was controversial, Imavov nonetheless added a significant notch to his belt with a fourth-round technical knockout victory against Jared Cannonier in the UFC on ESPN 57 headliner at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 8. With back-to-back triumphs over Cannonier and Roman Dolidze, the Frenchman remains a key figure in the middleweight division. While Imavov called for a rematch against Sean Strickland, his next Octagon appearance will come against Brendan Allen at UFC Paris.7. Johnny Eblen (15-0) | Bellator [7]
Eblen got a tougher-than-expected test at PFL vs. Bellator, where he was dropped and hurt in the second stanza before holding on for a split-decision triumph over 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay on Feb. 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While his struggles put a damper on Eblen’s “Best Middleweight in the World” campaign, it was nonetheless encouraging that the American Top Team product was able to persevere through adversity to remain undefeated. Eblen was scheduled to defend his middleweight belt in a rematch against Fabian Edwards at Bellator Champions Series London on Sept. 14, but that bout was postponed for undisclosed reasons.8. Caio Borralho (17-1, 1 NC) | UFC [8]
Though he didn’t get the finish he believed would propel him to a title shot, Borralho nonetheless earned a signature victory at UFC on ESPN 52 when he outdueled former title challenger Jared Cannonier over five rounds at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Aug. 24. The Fighting Nerds representative put a stamp on his triumph in Round 5, when he dropped his opponent and threatened with an arm-triangle choke in the bout’s waning seconds. “The Natural” has won 14 fights in a row — including seven in UFC competition — setting the stage for another high-profile pairing in his next Octagon appearance.9. Jared Cannonier (17-8) | UFC [9]
Cannonier was plenty game against surging contender Caio Borralho, but “The Killa Gorilla” ultimately could not keep up with his opponent in a unanimous decision loss at UFC on ESPN 62. After winning four of five promotional appearances from 2021 to 2023, the 40-year-old Cannonier has seen his hopes of another championship opportunity dim on the heels of back-to-back defeats against Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov.10. Brendan Allen (24-5) | UFC [10]
After original opponent Marvin Vettori withdrew from the event due to injury, Allen outdueled Chris Curtis over five rounds to capture a split-decision triumph in the UFC Fight Night 240 headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on April 6. In extending his promotional winning streak to seven — six at 185 pounds — “All In” avenged a previous a December 2021 loss to Curtis, the last man to defeat him in the Octagon. Allen will attempt to keep the momentum going against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris on Sept. 28.Other Contenders: Marvin Vettori, Roman Dolidze, Paulo Costa, Fabian Edwards, Jack Hermansson.
Jump To »
HEAVYWEIGHT
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
MIDDLEWEIGHT
WELTERWEIGHT
LIGHTWEIGHT
FEATHERWEIGHT
BANTAMWEIGHT
FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FEATHERWEIGHT
WOMEN'S BANTAMWEIGHT
WOMEN'S FLYWEIGHT
WOMEN'S STRAWWEIGHT
WOMEN'S ATOMWEIGHT