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411 MMA Rankings 08.25.15: Middleweight Division
Anderson Silva’s suspension for failed drug tests back in January has been settled and we won’t have to read stories about a comeback until 2016. So, instead, focus on the two awesome middleweight fights that will be showcased at UFC 194 in December. Champion Chris Weidman will defend his title against Luke Rockhold while the next contender will be confirmed when Jacare Souza fights Yoel Romero. Both fights are toss-ups, though I’d be inclined to give an edge to Weidman because can Rockhold really best him at wrestling, boxing or jiu-jitsu?
Aside from those top fighters, Michael Bisping is back in the mix, though to what degree has yet to be determined. His split decision win over Thales Leites in the spring sets him up as a contender for the millionth time since 2005. He has already signed to fight rising UFC prospect Robert Whittaker in November as the Brit is in a state of trying to avoid allowing up-and-comers make their name off his.
One middleweight fight that just came about over the last week poses an interesting test for both men when Gegard Mousasi fights Uriah Hall next month. Hall is filling in after Roan Carneiro was injured, and after Uriah picked up a win just over two weeks ago when he knocked out Oluwale Bamgbose. Mousasi has his first active win streak inside the octagon with wins over Dan Henderson and Costa Philippou while Hall will be fighting his first Top 10 opponent ever. He fought Weidman and Philippou early on when the three were simply prospects in New Jersey’s Ring of Combat. It would be the biggest win of Hall’s career and perhaps the worst loss of Gegard’s 12-year career. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the Uriah Hall hype train yet again.
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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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.
– Disagree with our rankings? Leave a comment or diatribe, all kinds are welcome, in the comments section towards the bottom of the page.
411’s Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Chris Weidman (13-0)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Vitor Belfort – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 187: Cormier vs. Johnson – May 23, 2015
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida – July 5, 2014
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2 – December 28, 2013
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
– vs. Mark Munoz – Win via KO (elbow and punches) – UFC on Fuel: Munoz vs. Weidman – July 11, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Luke Rockhold – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
2) Luke Rockhold (13-2)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: October 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on FOX: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Michael Bisping – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Rockhold – November 8, 2014
– vs. Tim Boetsch – Win via submission (inverted triangle-kimura) – UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira – April 26, 2014
– vs. Costa Philippou – Win via KO (body kick) – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou – January 15, 2014
– vs. Vitor Belfort – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold – May 18, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Chris Weidman – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
3) Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (22-3, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 7, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Chris Camozzi – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC on FOX: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Souza vs. Mousasi – September 5, 2014
– vs. Francis Carmont – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi – February 15, 2014
– vs. Yushin Okami – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Bader – September 4, 2013
– vs. Chris Camozzi – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold – May 18, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Yoel Romero – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
4) Yoel Romero (10-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via KO (elbows) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero – June 27, 2015
– vs. Tim Kennedy – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Brad Tavares – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne – April 19, 2014
– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou – January 15, 2014
– vs. Ronny Markes – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 – November 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jacare Souza – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
5) Lyoto Machida (22-7)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: May 3, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via KO (elbows) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero – June 27, 2015
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on FOX: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. C.B. Dolloway – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dolloway – December 20, 2014
– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida – July 5, 2014
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi – February 15, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Machida and Belfort are collectively on their way down the rankings and closer to retirement than championship contention. It’s a rough time to follow along with the likes of them, Shogun Rua, the Nogueira brothers and others along similar lines (not being Brazilian, winding down after years of being considered all-time greats).
6) Vitor Belfort (24-11)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: January 4, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 187: Cormier vs. Johnson – May 23, 2015
– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson – November 9, 2013
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs. Rockhold – May 18, 2013
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Dan Henderson – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015
Comment: Belfort and Hendo will have their third fight in November, currently the two are standing at a 1-1 tie. Belfort dropped a 2006 decision in Pride while he knocked out Henderson two years ago inside the octagon. This should be another win for the Brazilian.
7) Gegard Mousasi (37-5-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Costa Philippou – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 16, 2015
– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Jacare Souza – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Souza vs. Mousasi – September 5, 2014
– vs. Mark Munoz – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi – May 31, 2014
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi – February 15, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Uriah Hall – UFC Fight Night – September 26, 2015
8) Tim Kennedy (18-5)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: September 1, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Michael Bisping – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Kennedy – April 16, 2014
– vs. Rafael Natal – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight For The Troops 3 – November 6, 2013
– vs. Roger Gracie – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
– vs. Trevor Smith – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine – January 12, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Michael Bisping (26-7)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: February 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Thales Leites – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites – July 18, 2015
– vs. C.B. Dollaway – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 186 – April 25, 2015
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Rockhold – November 8, 2014
– vs. Cung Le – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Le vs. Bisping – August 23, 2014
– vs. Tim Kennedy – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Kennedy – April 16, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC 193: Lawler vs. Condit – November 15, 2015
Comment: Bisping came out on top of his fight with Thales Leites last month, ending the Brazilian’s long win streak. Now, Bisping is looking to continue a potential final run to a UFC title fight in November when he fights Australian Robert Whittaker.
10) Thales Leites (25-5)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 6, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Michael Bisping – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites – July 18, 2015
– vs. Tim Boetsch – Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
– vs. Francis Carmont – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos – August 23, 2014
– vs. Trevor Smith – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Nelson – April 11, 2014
– vs. Ed Herman – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Dave Branch (16-3)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 26, 1981
Currently Fighting With: World Series of Fighting
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jesse McElligott – Win via submission (Von Flue choke) – WSOF 20 – April 10, 2015
– vs. Yushin Okami – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 15 – November 15, 2014
– vs. Jesse Taylor – Win via submission (D’arce choke) – WSOF 10 – June 21, 2014
– vs. Danillo Vilefort – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 5 – September 14, 2013
– vs. Paulo Filho – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 2 – March 23, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Teddy Holder – WSOF 23 – September 18, 2015
12) Brandon “Bull” Halsey (9-0)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: September 16, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kendall Grove – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 137 – May 15, 2015
– vs. Alexander Shlemenko – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 126 – September 26, 2014
– vs. Brett Cooper – Win via submission (armbar) – Bellator 122 – July 25, 2014
– vs. Joe Pacheco – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 116 – April 11, 2014
– vs. Hector Ramirez – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 106 – November 2, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Mamed Khalidov (30-4-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 17, 1980
Currently Fighting With: KSW
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Brett Cooper – Win via decision (unanimous) – KSW 29 – December 6, 2014
– vs. Maiquel Falcao – Win via submission (armbar) – KSW 27 – May 17, 2014
– vs. Ryuta Sakurai – Win via submission (triangle choke) – KSW 25 – December 7, 2013
– vs. Melvin Manhoef – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – KSW 23 – June 8, 2013
– vs. Kendall Grove – Win via submission (achilles lock) – KSW 21 – December 1, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Robert Whittaker (14-4)
Height: 6′
Birthday: December 20, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Brad Tavares – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – May 10, 2015
– vs. Clint Hester – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 8, 2014
– vs. Mike Rhodes – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 28, 2014
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 170 – February 22, 2014
– vs. Court McGee – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – August 28, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Michael Bisping – UFC 193: Lawler vs. Condit – November 15, 2015
15) Derek Brunson (14-3)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 4, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Sam Alvey – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015
– vs. Ed Herman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
– vs. Lorenz Larkin – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 177 – August 30, 2014
– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou – January 15, 2014
– vs. Brian Houston – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight for the Troops 3 – November 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Closing Comments: No other fighter received additional votes.
Anderson Silva is ineligible for the 411 MMA Rankings while he is serving his suspension for failing multiple drug tests.
