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411 Middleweight MMA Rankings: Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Israel Adesanya (20-0)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Paulo Costa – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 253 – September 19, 2020
– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 248 – March 7, 2020
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 243 – October 6, 2019
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 234 – February 9, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Adesanya laid waste to Paulo Costa like it was a tune-up fight. His run, so far, as middleweight champion is impressive. Who’s next? The winner of Jared Cannonier/Whittaker may have the leg up on Jack Hermansson or Darren Till.
2) Robert Whittaker (21-5)
Height: 6′
Birthday: December 20, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Darren Till – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – July 25, 2020
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 243 – October 6, 2019
– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (split) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018
– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017
– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jared Cannonier – UFC 254 – October 24, 2020
3) Paulo Costa (13-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: April 21, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 253 – September 19, 2020
– vs. Yoel Romero – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 241 – August 17, 2019
– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
– vs. Johny Hendricks – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Oluwale Bamgbose – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: How could Costa have looked so bad in his first UFC title fight when he’s been one of the most impressive fighters the last two years? Easy answer is Adesanya is just that good.
4) Yoel Romero (13-5)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 248 – March 7, 2020
– vs. Paulo Costa – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 241 – August 17, 2019
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 221 – February 11, 2018
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) Jared Cannonier (13-4)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: March 3, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jack Hermansson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 28, 2019
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via TKO (leg kick) – UFC 237 – May 11, 2019
– vs. David Branch – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– vs. Dominick Reyes – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 19, 2018
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC 254 – October 24, 2020
6) Jack Hermansson (21-5)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: June 10, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via submission (heel hook) – UFC Fight Night – July 18, 2020
– vs. Jared Cannonier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 28, 2019
– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – April 27, 2019
– vs. David Branch – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on ESPN – March 30, 2019
– vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox – December 15, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Darren Till – UFC Fight Night – December 5, 2020
7) Darren Till (18-3-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 24, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – July 25, 2020
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (split) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – March 16, 2019
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via submission (D’Arce choke) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 27, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jack Hermansson – UFC Fight Night – December 5, 2020
8) Kelvin Gastelum (15-6, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 24, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jack Hermansson – Loss via submission (heel hook) – UFC Fight Night – July 18, 2020
– vs. Darren Till – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via decision (split) – UFC 224 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Michael Bisping – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – November 25, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Derek Brunson (21-7)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 4, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Edmen Shahbazyan – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 1, 2020
– vs. Ian Heinisch – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 241 – August 17, 2019
– vs. Elias Theodorou – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 4, 2019
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– vs. Jacare Souza – Loss via KO (head kick and punches) – UFC on Fox – January 27, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Brunson has quietly put together a three-fight win streak, including his win last month against rising prospect Edmen Shahbazyan. If he can wait, I’d like to see him fight the winner between Till/Hermansson in 2021.
10) Gegard Mousasi (46-7-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via decision (split) – Bellator MMA – September 28, 2019
– vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator MMA – June 22, 2019
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 206 – September 29, 2018
– vs. Rafael Carvalho – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 200 – May 25, 2018
– vs. Alexander Shlemenko – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 185 – October 20, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Douglas Lima – Bellator MMA – October 29, 2020
Comment: Bellator’s vacant middleweight title will be decided between Mousasi and reigning 170-pound champion Douglas Lima one month from today.
11) Uriah Hall (15-9)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 31, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 14, 2019
– vs. Bevon Lewis – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Paulo Costa – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
– vs. Krzysztof Jotko – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 16, 2017
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Anderson Silva – UFC Fight Night – October 31, 2020
Comment: Yes, Silva is 45-years-old and has not won a fight since 2017 and is 1-6 with a no contest since 2013. So, there’s really no reason he should be fighting Hall who is 3-1 over the last three years. But, this may be a dream fight for Hall and it has the potential of being a highlight reel fight with both men’s penchant for swinging head-thumping kicks.
12) Chris Weidman (15-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Omari Akhmedov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2020
– vs. Dominick Reyes – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – October 18, 2019
– vs. Jacare Souza – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC on Fox – July 22, 2017
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 210 – April 6, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Weidman returned to middleweight for the first time in about two years and scored the decision win over Omari Akhmedov. Weidman’s wrestling proved to be the deciding factor along with his endurance. He is adamant that he’s not done in MMA yet and believes he can still be a top contender at middleweight.
13) Omari Akhmedov (20-5-1)
Height: 6’
Birthday: October 12, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2020
– vs. Ian Heinisch – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 245 – December 14, 2019
– vs. Zak Cummings – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
– vs. Tim Boetsch – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019
– vs. Marvin Vettori – Draw via decision (split) – UFC 219 – December 30, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Marvin Vettori – UFC 256 – December 12, 2020
14) Brendan Allen (15-3)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: December 28, 1995
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kyle Daukaus – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – June 27, 2020
– vs. Tom Breese – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 29, 2020
– vs. Kevin Holland – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN – October 18, 2019
– vs. Aaron Jeffery – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – DW Contender Series – July 16, 2019
– vs. Moses Murrietta – Wi via decision (unanimous) – LFA 61 – February 22, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Ian Heinisch – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2020
15) Edmen Shahbazyan (11-1)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: November 20, 1997
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Derek Brunson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 1, 2020
– vs. Brad Tavares – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Jack Marshman – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
– vs. Charles Byrd – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Darren Stewart – Win via decision (split) – UFC TUF Finale – November 30, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
