Anderson Silva (left) will fight at home against Yushin Okami. | Photo: Sherdog.com
Middleweight
Though many believe that the UFC’s preeminent 185-pounder has little left to accomplish in the cage, there is still some housekeeping for “The Spider” to attend to. Silva will look to erase the most recent loss on his record, a 2006 disqualification against Yushin Okami, when he meets the Chael Sonnen training partner Aug. 27 in Rio de Janeiro. A win would extend Silva’s ongoing UFC records for most consecutive wins (13) and title defenses (eight).
2. Chael Sonnen (25-11-1)
With his suspension served and UFC President Dana White asserting that he has "paid his dues," Sonnen seems likely to return to the Octagon sometime in the near future. Exactly when and against whom Sonnen will return are currently unknown, but the Oregonian has already resumed his antagonistic ways on Twitter, most recently drawing the ire of former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Lyoto Machida.
3. Yushin Okami (26-5)
After 10 wins and five years in the UFC, Okami will finally get his second go-around with Anderson Silva on Aug. 27. A November decision against Nate Marquardt put “Thunder” in line for the middleweight title shot, which will come before 14,000 of Silva’s countrymen in Rio de Janeiro.
4. Nate Marquardt (31-10-2)
Marquardt's career took a shocking turn on June 25 when, just one day before his scheduled welterweight debut against Rick Story, UFC President Dana White announced that Marquardt had been released by the promotion after he "failed his medicals." Marquardt has since spoken on the issue and his use of testosterone replacement therapy, but the next step in his fighting future remains unknown.
5. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (14-2, 1 NC)
Souza has been unbeatable thus far in his Strikeforce run, compiling a 4-0 record since joining the promotion in late-2009. The decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion will look to defend his Strikeforce 185-pound belt for the second time Sept. 10 when he takes on American Kickboxing Academy’s Luke Rockhold, himself riding a six-fight finishing spree in the Strikeforce cage.
6. Mark Munoz (11-2)
The “Filipino Wrecking Machine” raised his stock considerably June 11 when he edged out a decision win in a fantastic bout with former title challenger Demian Maia. Though not yet confirmed, the 33-year-old wrestler’s name has been attached to a late-2011 bout against Brian Stann that, if made, could propel either man into contendership.
7. Demian Maia (14-3)
Maia was outpointed but never beaten in his excellent and technical June 11 scrap with Mark Munoz at UFC 131. The Brazilian submission specialist, a training partner of Wanderlei Silva, surprised many by showing aggressive and speedy strikes against the heavy-handed Munoz, but ultimately fell in a narrow unanimous decision.
8. Brian Stann (11-3)
The former U.S. Marine continued on his warpath May 28 with a violent second-round thumping of former Sengoku middleweight ace Jorge Santiago. Stann is now 5-2 in the Octagon with three straight stoppage wins, including a January knockout of the typically granite-chinned Chris Leben. While his next opponent has yet to be announced, Stann has been rumored to take part in what could be a No. 1 contender’s bout against Mark Munoz.
9. Michael Bisping (21-3)
Bisping silenced antagonist Jorge Rivera in February with a second-round knockout, but the Englishman will attempt to close an even louder mouth later this year. The winner of "The Ultimate Figher" Season 3 is currently in Las Vegas serving as a coach for "TUF 14," the finale of which will see Bisping square off against middleweight wildman and rival coach Jason "Mayhem" Miller.
10. Jorge Santiago (23-9)
Santiago’s skills were not in question after his May 28 knockout loss to Brian Stann, only his chin. In four Octagon appearances, the Brazilian’s beard has thrice been his downfall, also losing via KO to Chris Leben and Alan Belcher in 2006. Santiago reentered the UFC against Stann having won 11 of his last 12, though he was also punched out in the Sengoku ring during a November 2009 encounter with Mamed Khalidov.
Other contenders: Alan Belcher, Vitor Belfort, Mamed Khalidov, Hector Lombard, Robbie Lawler.
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