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Middleweight

1. Anderson Silva (33-4)

In a one-sided showcase of dominance, Anderson Silva destroyed Stephan Bonnar with a stylish showing at 205 pounds in front of his Brazilian faithful at UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro. With that exhibition out of the way, “The Spider” will return to the Octagon in 2013 to defend his middleweight crown.

2. Chael Sonnen (27-12-1)

Chael Sonnen nearly snuck his way into a UFC 151 title shot against Jon Jones, but the champion balked at the fight on short notice. However, with Jones’ dispatching of Vitor Belfort over and done with, the ever-talkative Sonnen managed to gab his way into a coaching spot on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 17 and a shot against Jon Jones not April. Not bad for a guy who hasn’t fought at 205 in over six years.

3. Chris Weidman (9-0)

Chris Weidman and his crew believe that Anderson Silva is ducking the unbeaten up-and-comer. Regardless of how “The Spider” feels about Weidman, if the former Hofstra wrestler can best suddenly-hot veteran Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 in December, he might end up with the Serra-Longo product on his 2013 slate.

4. Michael Bisping (23-4)

At UFC 152 in Toronto, Michael Bisping was in the driver’s seat for most of his bout with Brian Stann, dictating the action en route to a unanimous decision. However, despite having 13 official UFC wins, “The Count” will still need at least one more bout to get a date with Anderson Silva in the suddenly packed 185-pound division.

5. Tim Boetsch (16-4)

Since dropping to 185 pounds, Tim Boetsch is unbeaten through four fights. However, despite having notched wins over the likes of Yushin Okami and Hector Lombard, the real test for “The Barbarian” comes next, as Boetsch may be in line for a crack at Anderson Silva’s title next year if he can top unbeaten Chris Weidman on Dec. 29.

6. Mark Munoz (12-3)

Munoz appeared on the brink of contention after four straight wins against Chris Leben, Demian Maia, C.B. Dollaway and Aaron Simpson. The title talk came to a screeching halt on July 11, however, when the former Oklahoma State was dealt a bloody knockout at the hands of unbeaten up-and-comer Chris Weidman.

7. Vitor Belfort (21-10)

Despite getting battered and submitted at UFC 151, the opportunistic Vitor Belfort surprised many onlookers by locking up an armbar on Jon Jones. That good grace should be transferrable to fan excitement when Belfort returns to 185 pounds for whatever matchmaking might await him.

8. Yushin Okami (27-7)

Back in August 2006, Yushin Okami made a successful UFC debut by winning a unanimous decision over Alan Belcher. Fast forward over six years later, and the Japanese standout will have to replicate his win to keep pace in the UFC middleweight division, as he rematches “The Talent” at UFC 155 on Dec. 29.

9. Luke Rockhold (10-1)

Luke Rockhold’s third Strikeforce title defense was set for Nov. 3, but a wrist injury to the oft-injured AKA product canceled his title defense against Lorenz Larkin. The fight may be reappropriated for January, when Strikeforce returns to Showtime.

10. Brian Stann (12-5)

He never stopped fighting, but Brian Stann was a step behind Brit Michael Bisping in their UFC 152 clash in Toronto. The loss was just the second for the Silver Star recipient since dropping to 185 pounds in the UFC.

Other contenders:

Alan Belcher, Rousimar Palhares, Jake Shields, Alexander Shlemenko, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.

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