Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Middleweight

1. Robert Whittaker (20-4)

After nearly a year away from competition, Whittaker returned to the Octagon and delivered an instant classic in a rematch against Yoel Romero in the UFC 225 headliner. The Australia-based fighter survived knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds to hold off “The Soldier of God” -- a man he also defeated for interim 185-pound gold at UFC 213 -- for a narrow split decision triumph. Whittaker, who has won nine consecutive fights, will coach opposite Kelvin Gastelum on Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter” before squaring off with his rival at a future event. The exact date of his first official title defense depends on how quickly Whittaker heals from a broken thumb suffered in his fight with Romero.

2. Yoel Romero (13-3)

Romero was not eligible to win a title at UFC 225, but he still delivered a memorable performance in his rematch with Robert Whittaker. Despite landing knockdowns in the third and fifth rounds, “The Soldier of God” lost a heartbreaking split verdict in the June 9 headliner at the United Center in Chicago. Romero’s difficulties on the scale of late had him contemplating a move to 205 pounds, but instead, he will remain at middleweight. However, a potentially explosive showdown with up-and-comer Paulo Henrique Costa announced for UFC 230 will have to be delayed until Romero recovers from a fractured orbital.

3. Luke Rockhold (16-4)

Rockhold once looked capable of a lengthy reign as UFC middleweight champion. However, the California native is now on the outside of the title picture looking in after suffering a brutal third-round knockout loss to Yoel Romero in the UFC 221 headliner in Perth, Australia. After losing two of his last three fights in the Octagon, Rockhold flirted with a move to light heavyweight. Those plans are on hold for now, as the American Kickboxing Academy product has been booked in a rematch against Chris Weidman at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York.

4. Kelvin Gastelum (16-3)

Gastelum made a major statement in Rio de Janeiro by taking a hard-fought split decision over former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza on May 12. Gastelum survived having “Jacare” on his back in the opening frame, dropped his adversary in the second round and held on down the stretch to earn perhaps the most significant win of his career to date. That victory earned the Kings MMA representative a future showdown with middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. First, Gastelum and Whittaker will coach opposing teams on “The Ultimate Fighter 28.”

5. Ronaldo Souza (25-6)

Souza was in prime position to establish himself as a No. 1 contender at UFC 224, but he was unable to get the job done against “The Ultimate Fighter 17” winner Kelvin Gastelum. “Jacare” started quickly but ran out of gas when he could not secure a submission in the first frame. As a result, Gastelum eked out a split decision to hand the 38-year-old Brazilian his second defeat in three outings within the Las Vegas-based promotion. After some haggling on social media, Souza has agreed to face David Branch at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York.

6. Gegard Mousasi (45-6-2)

Mousasi did exactly what he was supposed to do, as he took apart welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in the Bellator 206 main event to retain his 185-pound belt. The Armenian-born Dutchman picked MacDonald apart with a crisp jab before unloading with brutal punches and elbows from full mount to secure a stoppage in the second stanza. The UFC veteran has now won eight straight contests and targeted matchups with Rafael Lovato Jr. and Lyoto Machida in his post-fight interview.

7. Chris Weidman (14-3)

Weidman broke his nightmarish three-fight losing streak at UFC on Fox 25, overcoming a few scares from Kelvin Gastelum to prevail by third-round arm-triangle choke. Better for the Baldwin, New York, native, he got to do it in front of a Nassau Coliseum crowd in the UFC’s Long Island debut, making for a truly memorable moment in the cage. A troublesome thumb injury required two surgeries and kept Weidman out of action for more than a year, but he will return on home soil when he faces Luke Rockhold in a rematch at UFC 230 on Nov. 3 at Madison Square Garden.

8. Georges St. Pierre (26-2)

We all knew for one reason or another that even if St. Pierre defeated Michael Bisping at UFC 217 on Nov. 4, he would not be defending the middleweight title against then-interim champion Robert Whittaker. After just 31 days on the throne, St. Pierre vacated the UFC middleweight title on Dec. 7, citing a bout with colitis. It remains unclear if “Rush” will ever compete in the Octagon again, but the Canadian pound-for-pound great has been linked to numerous opponents, including Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tyron Woodley.

9. David Branch (21-4)

Faced with an opponent who had earned knockout victories in his last four appearances, Branch turned the tables on Thiago Santos at UFC Fight Night 128. The former two-division World Series of Fighting champion dropped his Brazilian counterpart with an overhand right to the jaw and sealed the victory with hammerfists on the mat 2:30 into Round 1 for his second triumph in three Octagon appearances. Branch will get a chance to ascend the rankings in November, when he locks horns with ex-Strikeforce champ Ronaldo Souza at UFC 230.

10. Derek Brunson (18-6)

Momentum from back-to-back knockouts of Daniel Kelly and Lyoto Machida was of little use to Brunson in his rematch with former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza at UFC on Fox 27 in January. The 34-year-old North Carolinian lasted less than a round against “Jacare,” as a head kick and follow-up punches resulted in his demise 3:50 into the opening period. Brunson was supposed to try and get back on track against Antonio Carlos Jr. at UFC 227 but had to withdraw from the contest due to an eye injury. Instead, he will make his return against young gun Israel Adesanya at UFC 230 in New York.

Other Contenders: Israel Adesanya, Antonio Carlos Jr., Paulo Henrique Costa, Thiago Santos, Elias Theodorou.

Continue Reading » Welterweight