mma / Columns

411 Middleweight MMA Rankings: Jared Cannonier, Kelvin Gastelum, More

August 17, 2021 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

411’s Official MMA Rankings

Middleweight Division (185 pounds)


1) Israel Adesanya (21-1)

Birthday: July 22, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Marvin Vettori – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 263 – June 12, 2021

– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 259 – March 6, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC – TBD

Comment: Adesanya’s next challenger is expected to be Robert Whittaker, although the date of their rematch is not yet confirmed. According to MMAFighting.com, COVID restrictions in Australia and New Zealand would prevent Whittaker from returning home if the two were to fight in the U.S. later this year. As a result, they may not fight until early in 2022, once heavy local restrictions for travellers are likely to be lifted.



2) Robert Whittaker (23-5)

Height: 6′

Birthday: December 20, 1990

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 17, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Israel Adesanya – UFC – TBD



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:

– vs. Marvin Vettori – UFC Fight Night – October 23, 2021



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:

– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC on ESPN – August 21, 2021

Comment: Cannonier and Gastelum will headline the UFC’s next ESPN show next weekend in Las Vegas. Both men are coming off losses although Cannonier is 3-1 in his last four fights while Gastelum is 1-3.



5) Derek Brunson (22-7)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: January 4, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Kevin Holland – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 20, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Darren Till – UFC Fight Night – September 4, 2021



6) Gegard Mousasi (48-7-2)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: August 1, 1985

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. John Salter – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator MMA – August 13, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



7) Marvin Vettori (17-5-1)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: September 20, 1993

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 263 – June 12, 2021

– vs. Kevin Holland – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ABC – April 10, 2021

– vs. Jack Hermansson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – December 5, 2020

– vs. Karl Roberson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN – June 13, 2020

– vs. Andrew Sanchez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 12, 2019

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Paulo Costa – UFC Fight Night – October 23, 2021



8) Yoel Romero (13-5)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: April 30, 1977

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

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:

– vs. Phil Davis – Bellator 266 – September 18, 2021

Comment: Romero’s Bellator debut is finally set for next month in San Jose where he will fight Phil Davis at light heavyweight. Initially, Romero was going to compete in the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix but pulled out due to an issue with his eye. Although Romero missed weight twice while competing at middleweight in the UFC, he has not competed at 205-pounds officially since his Strikeforce fight in 2011 (he was knocked out by Rafael Cavalcante).



9) 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. Derek Brunson – UFC Fight Night – September 4, 2021



10) Sean Strickland (24-3)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: February 27, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 31, 2021

– vs. Krzysztof Jotko – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – May 1, 2021

– vs. Brendan Allen – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 14, 2020

– vs. Jack Marshamn – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 31, 2020

– vs. Nordine Taleb – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – October 27, 2018

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Luke Rockhold – UFC 268 – November 6, 2021

Comment: Strickland added another win to his record and his biggest to date by taking a unanimous decision against Uriah Hall. Next, he will welcome back former champion Luke Rockhold to the UFC. The former champion has not competed since the summer of 2019 when he was knocked out by Jan Blachowicz. His last middleweight fight saw him knocked out by Yoel Romero in 2018.



11) Kelvin Gastelum (16-7, 1 NC)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: October 24, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – April 17, 2021

– vs. Ian Heinisch – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 258 – February 19, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Jared Cannonier – UFC on ESPN – August 21, 2021



12) Jack Hermansson (22-6)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: June 10, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Edmen Shahbazyan – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 262 – May 15, 2021

– vs. Marin Vettori – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – December 5, 2020

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



13) Uriah Hall (17-10)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: July 31, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Sean Strickland – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 31, 2021

– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via TKO (broken leg) – UFC 261 – April 24, 2021

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




14) Brad Tavares (19-6)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: December 21, 1987

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Omari Akhmedov – Win via decision (split) – UFC 264 – July 10, 2021

– vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 257 – January 23, 2021

– vs. Edmen Shahbazyan – Loss via KO (head kick) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019

– vs. Israel Adesanya – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF 27 Finale – July 6, 2018

– vs. Krzysztof Jotko – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown


15) Brendan Allen (17-4)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: December 28, 1995

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Punahele Soriano – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – July 24, 2021

– vs. Karl Roberson – Win via submission (ankle lock) – UFC 261 – April 24, 2021

– vs. Sean Strickland – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 14, 2020

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown