Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Middleweight
1. Israel Adesanya (18-0)
Adesanya may have already been a star heading into UFC 243, but now “The Last Stylebender” is one of the Las Vegas-based promotion’s brightest lights. The Nigerian-born Kiwi ended the Robert Whittaker’s middleweight title reign in Melbourne with a pair of counter hooks and follow-up ground strikes at the 3:33 mark of Round 2. Adesanya has won seven consecutive fights in the Octagon, and already has a No. 1 contender in waiting in hulking Brazilian Paulo Henrique Costa.2. Robert Whittaker (20-5)
After more than a year-long absence, things didn’t go as planned for Whittaker at UFC 243, as he suffered a second-round technical knockout loss to interim champion Israel Adesanya at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Oct. 5. In relinquishing the 185-pound strap, Whittaker saw an nine-fight winning streak come to an end. “The Reaper” is still just 28 years old, however, and if he can put his health issues in the past, he’ll likely have another shot at title contention in the near future.3. Paulo Henrique Costa (13-0)
Costa answered any questions regarding his cardio at UFC 241, as he went three hard rounds with top contender Yoel Romero to capture a narrow unanimous verdict. One of the most imposing figures in the UFC, “Borrachinha” showcased a sturdy chin in addition to a solid gas tank while winning his fifth consecutive Octagon appearance. In the aftermath of his victory, Costa called for a showdown with the winner of the middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya at UFC 243.4. Yoel Romero (13-4)
For the second consecutive fight, Romero dropped a closely-contested decision that could have arguably gone his way. One bout removed from a five-round, split-decision loss to reigning middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 225, “The Soldier of God” fell to rising star Paulo Henrique Costa by decision in a wildly entertaining three-round affair at UFC 241. Even at 42 years old, Romero remains one of the most impressive physical specimens in the sport, with a resume that includes wins over Luke Rockhold, Chris Weidman, Ronaldo Souza, Lyoto Machida and Derek Brunson. Based on his efforts at UFC 241, it appears the American Top Team representative still has plenty left in the tank.5. Kelvin Gastelum (15-4)
Gastelum certainly had his moments against Israel Adesanya in the UFC 236 co-main event, but it was ultimately “The Last Stylebender” who finished with a flourish to capture the interim middleweight crown in Atlanta. Gastelum struggled at times to navigate the reach and length of his opponent, a reminder that “The Ultimate Fighter 17” winner spent much of the earlier part of his career competing at 170 pounds. However, weight issues plagued Gastelum a division below, and his previous success at middleweight – wins over Ronaldo Souza, Michael Bisping, Tim Kennedy and Johnny Hendricks – means he will stick around at 185 pounds. Gastelum will welcome former welterweight title challenger Darren Till to the division at UFC 244 on Nov. 2.6. Jared Cannonier (13-3)
Cannonier has improved immensely since moving to 185 pounds, and his ascent continued in the UFC Fight Night 160 headliner with a second-round technical knockout stoppage of Jack Hermansson in Copenhagen, Denmark. The MMA Lab product survived early pressure from “The Joker” before rocking his foe with a short right uppercut. From there, Cannonier hammered away with purposeful ground-and-pound to clinch his victory. With the win, “The Killa Gorilla” improved to 3-0 at middleweight, adding his victory over Hermansson to finishes of Anderson Silva and David Branch.7. Jack Hermansson (20-5)
Hermansson entered UFC Fight Night 160 as the favorite, but when his early surge couldn’t put Jared Cannonier away, “The Joker” wilted against the power of his opponent. Hermansson got caught with an uppercut while shooting for a takedown and stumbled backward to the mat, where Cannonier clinched his victory with powerful ground-and-pound 27 seconds into Round 2. That snaps a four-bout winning streak for Hermansson, who was coming off a signature triumph over Ronaldo Souza at UFC Fight Night 150 this past April. The Sweden-based fighter has won seven of his 10 Octagon appearances.8. Ronaldo Souza (26-7)
After original foe Yoel Romero withdrew from their scheduled bout at UFC Fight Night 150, Souza was expected to make short work of late replacement Jack Hermansson. Instead, “Jacare” was outstruck – and even outgrappled – en route to losing a five-round unanimous verdict. That may have been the 39-year-old Brazilian’s last real chance at title contention, as he has lost three of his last five Octagon appearances. Souza will make his light heavyweight debut against contender Jan Blachowicz in the UFC Sao Paulo main event on Nov. 16.9. Rafael Lovato Jr. (10-0)
Lovato Jr.’s tenacious grappling was just enough to give him the nod against Gegard Mousasi, as the Oklahoma City, Okla., resident claimed middleweight gold with a majority verdict over the UFC veteran in the Bellator London headliner. It is by far the most significant victory of Lovato Jr.’s MMA career to date, but given the close nature of the decision, it would not be surprising to see a rematch between the two somewhere down the road.10. Gegard Mousasi (46-7-2)
It’s hard to look good against Lyoto Machida, but Mousasi did just enough to earn a split decision over “The Dragon” in their rematch at Bellator 228 on Sept. 28 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Mousasi, who dropped a five-round verdict to the former UFC champion in their initial meeting in February 2014, has won nine of his last 10 fights over stints in both Bellator and the UFC. He has targeted a return date with Rafael Lovato Jr., the man who took his middleweight title via majority decision at Bellator 223.Other Contenders:, Chris Weidman, Derek Brunson, Ian Heinisch, Uriah Hall, Lyoto Machida.
Continue Reading » Welterweight