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411 Middleweight MMA Rankings: Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, 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: It’s been about a month since we’ve heard anything of note relating to Adesany’s quest to become the light heavyweight champion. It appears the UFC is on board and champ Jan Blachowicz loves the idea (it would be the biggest possible fight for him). We’ll see if a fight is inked before the end of the year as it would instantly become the most intriguing fight on the calendar.
Anderson Silva moved up to light heavyweight sparingly (first by torching Forrest Griffin) but never seemed motivated to challenge Jon Jones. Certainly, since Jones has recently focused on moving up to heavyweight, it left the option for Adesanya to move up and not have to fight Jones. If anyone other than Jones was champion while Anderson was in his prime, perhaps things would have been different.
2) Robert Whittaker (22-5)
Height: 6′
Birthday: December 20, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jared Cannonier – Win via decision (unaninmous) – UFC 254 – October 24, 2020
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
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
4) Jared Cannonier (13-5)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: March 3, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 254 – October 24, 2020
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) 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. Marin Vettori – UFC Fight Night – December 5, 2020
Comment: Aside from Robert Whittaker, Hermansson is the next top middleweight contender coming off of a win. In fact, the only other UFC contender in the top 10 with a win in their last fight is Derek Brunson – so it paints a clearer picture of why Adesanya is hunting a championship at a different weight class.
6) 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
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:
– Unknown
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:
– vs. Ian Heinisch – UFC Fight Night – January 30, 2021
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
10) Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Douglas Lima – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator MMA – October 29, 2020
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Mousasi became a two-time Bellator middleweight champion last month when he outclassed Douglas Lima in a five-round unanimous decision.
11) Uriah Hall (16-9)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 31, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – October 31, 2020
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Chris Weidman – UFC 258 – February 13, 2021
Comment: Hall will match-up with another former champion in Chris Weidman at UFC 258 in February. If Hall pulls off the win, it will be his fourth consecutive win and he’s instantly in discussion of next middleweight title contenders.
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:
– vs. Uriah Hall – UFC 258 – February 13, 2021
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:
– Unknown
14) 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
15) Kevin Holland (20-5)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: November 5, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Charlie Ontiveros – Win via TKO (slam) – UFC Fight Night – October 31, 2020
– vs. Darren Stewart – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 19, 2020
– vs. Joaquin Buckley – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2020
– vs. Anthony Hernandez – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – May 16, 2020
– vs. Brendan Allen – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN – October 18, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jacare Souza – UFC 256 – December 12, 2020
