Middleweight
1. Chris Weidman (12-0)
Weidman’s first title defense since back-to-back bouts with Anderson Silva could hardly have gone better. In fighting a full 25 minutes with former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 175, the Serra-Longo Fight Team product showcased not only his potent striking and takedowns but also a gritty resolve, as he weathered a fifth-round surge from the challenger. Since then, however, multiple injuries have prevented the “All-American” from defending his belt against Vitor Belfort. In September, it was a broken hand, and now, an injured rib has taken Weidman out of the UFC 184 main event.2. Anderson Silva (34-6)
The 39-year-old former champion’s victorious comeback was short-lived. Days after he defeated Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 183, it was revealed that Silva tested positive for multiple anabolic steroids in a pre-fight drug test administered by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Silva has denied any steroid use and is expected go before the NAC at the commission’s next hearing.3. Vitor Belfort (24-10)
Another UFC title shot continues to elude Belfort, who has seen his chance at gold pushed back once again. First slated for May 2014 and then September, Belfort’s meeting with Chris Weidman was pushed to February before being nixed just one month out due to the champion suffering a rib injury in training. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old has not stepped inside the cage since November 2013, when he knocked out Dan Henderson.4. Ronaldo Souza (21-3, 1 NC)
Souza avenged his 2008 loss to Gegard Mousasi with a third-round guillotine choke submission on Sept. 5 at a UFC Fight Night event in Connecticut. Unbeaten through four UFC appearances and currently riding a seven-fight winning streak, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace is angling for a chance at the middleweight crown. Pneumonia forced “Jacare” to bow out of a match with fellow contender Yoel Romero at UFC 184, but the matchup has been rescheduled for April 18 in New Jersey.5. Luke Rockhold (13-2)
The former Strikeforce middleweight champ silenced Michael Bisping in style on Nov. 7, dazing the Englishman with a head kick before finishing the fight with a one-arm, topside guillotine choke. In becoming the first man to submit the 10-year veteran, Rockhold made a strong case for placement in a title eliminator bout. Next up for the American Kickboxing Academy product is a Fox-broadcast main event with Lyoto Machida on April 18.6. Lyoto Machida (21-5)
Machida was sensational as a UFC Fight Night headliner on Dec. 20, as he wrecked C.B. Dollaway with a brutal kick to the ribs and finished the onetime NCAA All-American wrestler with follow-up punches in just 62 seconds. “The Dragon” has rattled off three wins in four appearances since downshifting to 185 pounds, losing only to reigning middleweight champion Chris Weidman in a “Fight of the Year” contender at UFC 175. The 36-year-old will look to continue his climb back to title contention on April 18, when he faces Luke Rockhold.7. Yoel Romero (9-1)
While Romero’s apparent inability to answer the bell for round three of his UFC 178 meeting with Tim Kennedy was a controversial topic, what happened when the final round got under way is indisputable. Beaten to within inches of a stoppage only moments before, Romero clobbered Kennedy with a right hand and drubbed the American on the floor to force a stoppage less than one minute into the last frame. The former Olympic wrestler is now 5-0 in the UFC, with four wins by way of knockout. Romero's next assignment will come against Ronaldo Souza at UFC on Fox 15 in April.8. Tim Kennedy (18-5)
Kennedy’s first Octagon defeat could hardly have come under more controversial circumstances, but it was a defeat nonetheless. After being walloped by Yoel Romero in the first round of their UFC 178 encounter and then coming back to hurt the “Soldier of God” in round two, Kennedy met his end under a hailstorm of punches just 58 seconds into the final frame. The loss derailed the Jackson-Wink MMA product, who began his UFC run with three straight victories.9. Gegard Mousasi (36-5-2)
Mousasi earned one of his most significant victories to date in Stockholm on Jan. 24, becoming just the second man to halt former pound-for-pound great Dan Henderson with strikes. The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ has alternated wins and losses since transferring to the UFC, notably finishing Henderson and Mark Munoz while falling to Ronaldo Souza and Lyoto Machida.10. Thales Leites (25-4)
Leites has been on a tear since beginning his second UFC stint in August 2013, winning five straight inside the Octagon, including knockouts of Francis Carmont and Trevor Smith. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt from Nova Uniao put his ground skills to use in his most recent victory, as Leites put Tim Boetsch to sleep with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 183.Other Contenders: Michael Bisping, David Branch, C.B. Dollaway, Brandon Halsey, Mamed Khalidov.
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