The MMA Spotlight 6.12.08: The Middleweight Division

Posted by Reuel Mante on 06.12.2008

How can a division ruled by the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world be so small?

In my last article, I touched on how Robbie Lawler has expanded his arsenal in last few years and could possibly be a future threat to Anderson Silva's title. When I thought about that fact, I almost cried. Robbie Lawler!? A threat!? Yeah, that's how pathetic a division the 185 lb weight class has become. Now that we're at the halfway point of the year, lets touch on what the UFC has to offer for the middleweight division.

Yushin Okami- The last man to defeat Anderson Silva and who has won all but one fight in his UFC career. Sounds good, right? Hold on. He defeated Silva due to an illegal kick to the head when Okami was on his knees. If you've never seen the fight, Okami was in Anderson's guard when he got nailed with an up-kick. Yushin was deemed unfit to continue and The Spider was disqualified. If you see Silva's reaction after the announcement, you can tell there was no malicious intent in his action. It was just a misunderstanding of the rules. Okami was running quite a win streak in the UFC before dropping a lack luster decision to Rich Franklin at UFC 72. However, he has bounced back with victories over Jason MacDonald and Evan Tanner. Not quite "number one contender material" to get excited about but as we go on down the line, you'll see there isn't a whole lot to pick and choose from.

Rich Franklin- A lot of people have written about how Rich has hit a glass ceiling now that he's dropped two losses to the middleweight champion. Sure, he defeated Travis Lutter at UFC 83 but who cares about that hack anyway? When you think about it, who is left for him to fight? There are only two men that I can think of that are on this list that could really give him some kind of marquee fight without risking a third loss to Silva: Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping. If he fights them and wins, then what's next? Another title shot? More than likely he'll fight some other yahoo on the Charles McCarthy level. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Michael Bisping- He's currently running a two fight win streak in the middleweight division. I didn't see his fight with Jason Day at UFC 85 but from what I've read, he dominated the fight like he was Sean Sherk wrestling for the last pill of Nandrolone. Honestly, I've never been impressed with The Count. The first fight I saw him in was a fight he should have lost. Not exactly a performance to rave about, especially when Dana White stated he expected Matt Hamill to win. However, Bisping looks to be ready to tear through the middleweight division. I'd say a match with Rich Franklin would be good for him to prove that he's set for a possible title match by next year.

Dan Henderson- Another shining example of how the mighty have fallen. Dropping two title matches in a row was not the best way to prove yourself in the UFC. Granted, the losses came from two incredible fighters who've been undefeated since coming stateside. Dangerous Dan needs a match against a man who will grapple with him like Nate Marquardt. If he chooses to stay at middleweight, wins over Nate and Rich Franklin would propel him back into the title hunt. If he chooses to return to light heavyweight, then a rubber match with Wanderlei Silva would be exciting as hell!

Evan Tanner- Yeah, okay. The two-year layoff may have been necessary for him to regain the fighting spirit but a knockout loss to Okami was a brutal return. The former champion badly needs this victory over Kendall Grove to be considered any kind of competition in the 185 lb weight class. After that, maybe a rubber match with Rich Franklin! Can you tell I like my feuds in threes?

Kendall Grove- Obviously, being an Ultimate Fighter winner doesn't hold guarantees of greatness. Dropping losses to Patrick Cote and Jorge Rivera via TKO can't feel too good. An accomplished ground game combined with a 6'6" frame doesn't seem to mean anything anymore. Before Da Spider tries anything in the hope of title contention, he should develop his stand-up game to avoid anyone landing a hook or an uppercut on his chin of glass. Kendall, like Evan Tanner, badly needs this next win or we may get to see the first Ultimate Fighter winner let go of their contract. Don't think that will ever happen? Never say never.

Nate Marquardt- After UFC 85, all I have to say is: Wow. Judging by the last six months, Greg Jackson's team isn't having fun in 2008. Jardine loses by knockout, Rashad gets pulled off two consecutive cards, and now Nate loses a split decision to Thales Leites. A lot of people have said that there was a bad call with Nate losing a point for an illegal elbow. You know something? It's done and over with. The Great is down a loss once again. After such a strong showing against Jeremy Horn, one has to wonder what he couldn't do this past Saturday. Thales doesn't have nearly half of the experience that Horn has. Nate now needs a big victory in order to stay in the top tier. Maybe a match against Yushin Okami? I'd pay money to see that fight.

Patrick Cote- Well, slap me twice and call me Susan! I was pretty sure that the Canadian would be handed his pink slip by July of 2007. Why? I never thought I'd see the day where Cote knocks out Kendall Grove. Now look at the Predator. Riding a three fight win streak and looking for a fourth next month. Not too shabby for a guy who dropped four in his first four fights in the UFC. This upcoming fight with Ricardo Almeida could possibly be the fight of the night as neither of the men have lost in a while and an impending title shot is in the near future.

Ricardo Almeida- The jiu-jitsu wizard from Renzo Gracie's school is riding a seven fight win streak with wins over Marquardt and Kazuo Misaki. Not a bad resume for a guy who is only nine and two in his MMA career. Look for this guy to be the middleweight version of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Martin Kampmann- This guy is the true darkhorse of the entire middleweight division. He's got it all. Strong striking skills, dangerous submissions, and a hard head. Just coming off a victory over Jorge Rivera, it's time for The Hitman to take on the elite of the division. Maybe a Kampmann/Okami fight by year's end?

And that, my friends, is basically it. Sure, you can add on Chris Leben, Jason Day, and Drew McFedries but can you honestly say that anyone matches up these ten guys? I just named the ten of the top middleweights in the UFC and it's not looking too pretty once you get beyond that. All I can really say is that I hope the current season of the Ultimate Fighter makes a difference, or the UFC could have a serious issue with keeping a man like Anderson Silva interested.