411 MMA Rankings 03.12.13: Middleweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 03.12.2013
Luke Rockhold and Jacare Souza debut in the UFC against Vitor Belfort and Costa Philippou, respectively. Hector Lombard loses again while Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman is now official! Plus, Michael Bisping prepares to fight Alan Belcher next month. See where they all rank in the latest 411 MMA Rankings!
The best the middleweight division has to offer are all signed up and preparing to fight between now and July and the 411 MMA Rankings are here to lay it all out for you.
Each week, a collection of our MMA staff hit our heads against the wall and churn out a list of the best 15 fighters in any particular weight class. Today, we look at the 185-pounders, or Anderson Silva and 14 other dudes as the division may be known to some of you.
The great thing about the state of the division is there are fights on the books and only heinous things like injuries or Tito Ortiz representing any new fighters may throw a wrench into plans. Otherwise, as an eternal optimist, you can book your plane tickets, dish out the $55 in pay-per-view money and brush up on which number on your cable/satellite guide is FX. Put it all together and May 18 and July 6 are two of the biggest dates of the year for this division.
In May, Vitor Belfort will welcome Luke Rockhold to the UFC in the main event of an FX card in Brazil and a fight in which the winner should be considered the new number one contender. I say should because the promotion may have other plans in the event Anderson Silva makes it to the fall unscathed.
Speaking of "The Spider," he will defend his championship on July 6 against Chris Weidman, a man who defeated a pair of contenders last year and who remains confident he's the man destined to knock off the greatest fighter of all-time.
So, while the welterweight division has a night this weekend where its top fighters are competing (GSP vs. Diaz, Hendricks vs. Condit), we have to be a bit more patient to see whether 2013 is the year the middleweight division is turned on its head. Wouldn't that be something?
Chris Weidman fighting Luke Rockhold later this year over the championship, it may not lead to bundles of money, but it would be a hell of a fight.
RANKINGS FROM ONE YEAR AGO
(02.28.12)
1. Anderson Silva
2. Chael Sonnen
3. Mark Munoz
4. Michael Bisping
5. Vitor Belfort
6. Tim Boetsch
7. Yushin Okami
8. Luke Rockhold
9. Hector Lombard
10. Brian Stann
11. Chris Weidman
12. Rousimar Palhares
13. Jacare Souza
14. Demian Maia
15. Alexander Shlemenko
411's MMA Ranking Rules
- Which fighters are eligible for these rankings? They must meet the following qualifications: fight at least once in the past 365 days or if they have not, be officially scheduled for an upcoming fight.
- A fighter serving a disciplinary suspension will not be ranked. They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded. This includes fighters who may disregard their suspension locally to fight overseas.
- If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points will be deducted to balance between other fighters who may be ranked lower, but appear on a greater amount of ballots.
- Want to complain about a fighter's ranking in the comments section? Please include an objective reason why you despise the list, and try your best to bring the rest of us to your way of thinking.
411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Anderson Silva (33-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar - October 13, 2012
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Win via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen - July 7, 2012
- vs. Yushin Okami - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami - August 27, 2011
- vs. Vitor Belfort - Win via KTFO (front kick) - UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort - February 5, 2011
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Win via submission (triangle armbar) - UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen - August 7, 2010
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chris Weidman - UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman - July 6, 2013
Comment: The fight we all knew was coming is finally official with Anderson Silva set to defend his UFC middleweight championship for the 11th time, this summer against Chris Weidman. Nearly one-year to the day he smashed Chael Sonnen, he gets to deal with another wrestler. Plus, with all the rumors of a potential Silva fight with Jon Jones in the fall, the outcome of this fight holds even more importance. Whatever your opinion of Weidman is, we always have to wonder when Silva will begin to look his age.
2) Chris Weidman (9-0)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mark Munoz - Win via KO (elbow and punches) - UFC on Fuel: Munoz vs. Weidman - July 11, 2012
- vs. Demian Maia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis - January 28, 2012
- vs. Tom Lawlor - Win via technical submission (D'arce choke) - UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson - November 19, 2011
- vs. Jesse Bongfeldt - Win via submission (standing guillotine choke) - UFC 131: dos Santos vs. Carwin - June 11, 2011
- vs. Alessio Sakara - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC on Versus: Sanchez vs. Kampmann - March 3, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Anderson Silva - UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman - July 6, 2013
Comment: The Long Island native is healthy after a shoulder injury sidelined him at the end of 2012. He is the middleweight title contender with the fewest fights (9-0) since Demian Maia (12-1) fought Silva in 2010. Weidman is a strong wrestler with jiu-jitsu that's always improving under Matt Serra and a boxing game doing the same under Ray Longo. Will he fall under the pressure of his first PPV main event or will he be able to rise to the occasion when he steps inside the cage and sees ANDERSON SILVA looking back at him?
3) Vitor Belfort (22-10)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: January 4, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs. Bisping - January 19, 2013
- vs. Jon Jones - Loss via submission (americana) - UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort - September 22, 2012
- vs. Anthony Johnson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes - January 14, 2012
- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz - August 6, 2011
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via KTFO (front kick) - UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort - February 5, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Luke Rockhold - UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold - May 18, 2013
Comment: THE PHENOM, he wants Jon Jones, but he's stuck in the middleweight division. After he knocked out Michael Bisping two months ago, he will look to do the same to Strikeforce's final champion, Luke Rockhold. If he can have similar results, he'll take another significant step back into the UFC title picture (amazingly).
4) Luke Rockhold (10-1)
Height: 6'3
Birthday: October 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tim Kennedy - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy - July 14, 2012
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine - January 7, 2012
- vs. Jacare Souza - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov - September 10, 2011
- vs. Paul Bradley - Win via TKO (knees) - Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi - February 26, 2010
- vs. Jesse Taylor - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista - November 6, 2009
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Vitor Belfort - UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold - May 18, 2013
Comment: With his shoulder injury behind him, Rockhold will debut in the octagon in two months against Vitor Belfort. The last Strikeforce middleweight champion has been on a tear in recent years, showing off a versatile skill set to become the greatest 185er not in the UFC. His first test in the UFC is arguably the toughest of his career (depending on your opinion of Jacare Souza) with the dynamite-for-hands that is Belfort. The big question is whether he will be able to avoid engaging in a brawl, leaving himself open to being knocked out. If not, his UFC debut may not be so sweet.
5) Yushin Okami (29-7)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: July 21, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Hector Lombard - Win via decision (split) - UFC on Fuel TV 8: Silva vs. Stann - March 3, 2013
- vs. Alan Belcher - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez - December 29, 2012
- vs. Buddy Roberts - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar 2 - August 11, 2012
- vs. Tim Boetsch - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson - February 25, 2012
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami - August 27, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Okami, once again, displayed his strong grappling to earn another UFC win, this time against Hector Lombard in Japan. He has now knocked off a pair of contenders (Alan Belcher in addition to Lombard) but doesn't appear any closer to a rematch with Anderson Silva. Perhaps his next fight may come against Michael Bisping if he overcomes Belcher next month. If not, does anyone want to see him fight Cung Le?
6) Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (17-3, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: December 7, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ed Herman - Win via submission (Kimura) - Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine - January 12, 2013
- vs. Derek Brunson - Win via KO (punch) - Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman - August 18, 2012
- vs. Bristol Marunde - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey - March 3, 2012
- vs. Luke Rockhold - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strkeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov - September 10, 2011
- vs. Robbie Lawler - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg - January 29, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Costa Philippou - UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold - May 18, 2013
Comment: Another one of the many former Strikeforce fighters making their UFC debuts in the coming months, Jacare is the most explosive fighter of them all. His first fight in the octagon is a sort of preview for the big middleweight fight this summer between Black House's Anderson Silva and Serra-Longo's Chris Weidman. Here, we have Souza representing the Brazilians and Philippou with the support of the New York squad.
With a very cursory look of this match-up, it's difficult to see Souza coming up short. Between his submission grappling skills and his boxing, how can you not like him to stick around the top of this division in the UFC for years to come?
7) Michael Bisping (23-5)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: February 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Vitor Belfort - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs. Bisping - January 19, 2013
- vs. Brian Stann - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort - September 22, 2012
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis - January 28, 2012
- vs. Jason Miller - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC TUF 14 Finale - December 3, 2011
- vs. Jorge Rivera - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 127: Penn vs. Fitch - February 27, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Alan Belcher - UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen - April 27, 2013
Comment: Bisping in interviews is speaking as though he's going to rip Alan Belcher limb from limb when they fight in Newark next month. He was devastated with the loss to Belfort because a win would have earned him a fight with Anderson Silva. Instead, he must start a new path if he's ever to earn a shot at a championship in the UFC.
8) Constantinos "Costa" Philippou (12-2, 1 No Contest)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: November 29, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tim Boetsch - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 - December 29, 2012
- vs. Riki Fukuda - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen 2 - July 7, 2012
- vs. Court McGee - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann - March 3, 2012
- vs. Jared Hamman - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida - December 10, 2011
- vs. Jorge Rivera - Win via decision (split) - UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz - August 6, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Jacare Souza - UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold - May 18, 2013
Comment: Costa burst into the mix at middleweight to end 2012 when he filled in for the injured Weidman and upset Tim Boetsch. The fights do not get any easier and he'll fight another top ten fighter, whom if he beats will mark one of the bigger upsets of the spring.
9) Brian Stann (12-6)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: September 4, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC on Fuel TV 8: Silva vs. Stann - March 3, 2013
- vs. Michael Bisping - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort - September 22, 2012
- vs. Alessio Sakara - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC on Fuel: Gustafsson vs. Silva - April 14, 2012
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard 3 - October 8, 2011
- vs. Jorge Santiago - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill - May 28, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Stann was engaged in one of the best fights of the year despite being knocked out by Wanderlei Silva less than two weeks ago. The fight was at light heavyweight but he will return to middleweight, although you have to wonder how long he'll continue fighting if his losing ways continue. 1-3 in his last four fights, Stann has been doing well as a talking head on UFC television, but perhaps with the influx of Strikeforce middleweights, he sees a plethora of fresh match ups.
10) Tim Kennedy (15-4)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: September 1, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Trevor Smith - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine - January 12, 2013
- vs. Luke Rockhold - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy - July 14, 2012
- vs. Robbie Lawler - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson - July 30, 2011
- vs. Melvin Manhoef - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson - March 5, 2011
- vs. Jacare Souza - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Houston - August 21, 2010
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Roger Gracie - UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman - July 6, 2013
Comment: Two of those Strikeforce middleweights will fight one another in July when Kennedy takes on Gracie. Tim proved to be one of the toughest fighters in the old company with a stout grappling game. However, fighting Roger Gracie, he may have to amend his strategy because you normally do not CHOOSE to go to the ground with Roger.
11) Hector Lombard (32-4-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: February 2, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs Yushin Okami - Loss via decision (split) - UFC on Fuel TV 8: Silva vs. Stann - March 3, 2013
- vs. Rousimar Palhares - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson - December 14, 2012
- vs. Tim Boetsch - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao - July 21, 2012
- vs. Trevor Prangley - Win via TKO (strikes) - Bellator 58 - November 19, 2011
- vs. Jesse Taylor - Win via submission (heel hook) - Australian Fighting Championship 2 - September 3, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Ouch. At one point, he was considered among the best middleweights in the world, but now, all that is gone. He has been a letdown since signing with the UFC and with a 1-2 record in the company, he may not be long for the roster if he doesn't score a win in his next outing.
12) Tim Boetsch (16-6)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: January 28, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Constantinos Philippou - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez - December 29, 2012
- vs. Hector Lombard - Win via decision (split) - UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao - July 21, 2012
- vs. Yushin Okami - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson - February 26, 2012
- vs. Nick Ring - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage - September 24, 2011
- vs. Kendall Grove - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill - May 28, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mark Munoz - UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman - July 6, 2013
13) Cung Le (9-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 25, 1972
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via KO (punch) - UFC on Fuel: Macao - November 10, 2012
- vs. Patrick Cote - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen 2 - July 7, 2012
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson - November 19, 2011
- vs. Scott Smith - Win via KO (spinning back kick and punches) - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum - June 26, 2010
- vs. Scott Smith - Loss via KO (punches) - Strikeforce: Evolution - December 19, 2009
- vs. Chris Weidman - Loss via KO (elbow and punches) - UFC on Fuel: Munoz vs. Weidman - July 11, 2012
- vs. Chris Leben - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 138: Leben vs. Munoz - November 5, 2011
- vs. Demian Maia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 131: dos Santos vs. Carwin - June 11, 2011
- vs. C.B. Dolloway - Win via KO (punches) - UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann - March 3, 2011
- vs. Aaron Simpson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida - November 20, 2010
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Tim Boetsch - UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman - July 6, 2013
Comment: Munoz is back! He injured his foot last year and will return just shy of a year since he was knocked out by Chris Weidman. How a career can change so quickly, he may have earned a shot at Anderson Silva last year if he had defeated Weidman. Instead, he will be back and fight another middleweight who's momentum was halted with a loss by KO/TKO in Tim Boetsch.
15) Alexander Shlemenko (47-7)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: May 20, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator Fighting Championships
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Maiquel Falcao - Win via KO (strikes) - Bellator 88 - February 7, 2013
- vs. Anthony Ruiz - Win via decision (unanimous) - League S-70: Russian Championship Final - August 11, 2012
- vs. Minowaman - Win via TKO (strikes) - SFL 2 - April 7, 2012
- vs. Julio Paulino - Win via decision (unanimous) - FEFoMP - Battle of Empires - December 17, 2011
- vs. Vitor Vianna - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 57 - November 12, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Doug Marshall or Brett Cooper - Bellator - 2013
Comment: The reigning Bellator champion will make his first defense of the gold later this year against either Doug Marshall or Brett Cooper, whomever wins the season eight tournament.
Closing Comments: Mamed Khalidov and Roger Gracie received additional votes.
