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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 seemingly already had a No. 1 contender in waiting in hulking Brazilian Paulo Henrique Costa. However, with Costa still recovering from a torn bicep, Adesanya will make his first defense against Yoel Romero at UFC 248 on March 7.2. 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. Whittaker was forced to withdraw from a matchup with Jared Cannonier at UFC 248 due to undisclosed personal reasons.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. Costa appeared to be sitting pretty for a title shot against Israel Adesanya — he was even cagedside for the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s championship victory at UFC 243 — but the powerful Brazilian was bypassed for Yoel Romero as he recovers from a torn bicep.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. Despite being on a two-bout losing streak, Romero will challenge Israel Adesanya for middleweight gold at UFC 248 in Las Vegas.5. 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. Cannonier was due for his most difficult test to date against Robert Whittaker, but the ex-champ withdrew from their UFC 248 clash due to personal reasons.6. Darren Till (18-2-1)
Till didn’t get to ease his way into the middleweight division, and it didn’t matter. At UFC 244, the Liverpool native relied on his superior size and length to score a split-decision verdict over Kelvin Gastelum at Madison Square Garden in the evening’s co-main event. The victory comes on the heels of being finished in back-to-back welterweight bouts by Jorge Masvidal and Tyron Woodley and instantly establishes Till as a person of interest at 185 pounds.7. Kelvin Gastelum (15-5)
In a battle of former welterweights, Gastelum was frustrated by the size of opponent Darren Till at UFC 244, ultimately dropping a split decision in a slow-paced affair at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2. Whether it was a steady diet of low kicks from his opponent or simply being overpowered in the clinch, Gastelum didn’t have enough answers for “The Gorilla,” who was making his 185-pound debut After coming up short in a thrilling interim title bout against Israel Adesanya earlier in 2019, Gastelum has now lost two consecutive fights.8. 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.9. Ronaldo Souza (26-8)
Souza’s first light heavyweight foray proved to be unsuccessful, as he dropped a split decision to Jan Blachowicz in an uninspiring five-round affair at UFC Fight Night 164 in Sao Paulo on Nov. 16. The 39-year-old “Jacare” has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances and looks to be far removed from title contention at both light heavyweight and middleweight. Souza will return to 185 pounds against Uriah Hall at UFC 249 on April 18.10. 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.Other Contenders: Gegard Mousasi, Derek Brunson, Uriah Hall, Omari Akhmedov, Ian Heinisch.
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