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411 MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division

March 9, 2017 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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.

411’s Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division


1) Yoel Romero (12-1)

Height: 5’10

Birthday: April 30, 1977

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via KO (flying knee) – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016

– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via decision (split) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



2) Michael Bisping (29-7)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: February 28, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson 2 – October 8, 2016

– vs. Luke Rockhold – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 – June 4, 2016

– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping – February 27, 2016

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Georges St. Pierre – UFC – TBD



3) Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (24-4, 1 No Contest)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: December 7, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Tim Boetsch – Win via submission (kimura) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017

– vs. Vitor Belfort – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic – May 14, 2016

– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




4) Luke Rockhold (14-3)

Height: 6’3

Birthday: October 17, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michael Bisping – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 – June 4, 2016

– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



5) Gegard Mousasi (41-6-2)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: August 1, 1985

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016

– vs. Vitor Belfort – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 204 – October 8, 2016

– vs. Thiago Santos – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Thales Leites – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 27, 2016

– vs. Uriah Hall – Loss via TKO (many strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 26, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Chris Weidman – UFC 210 – April 6, 2017


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=827IC-z6eXs
6) Robert Whittaker (17-4)

Height: 6′

Birthday: December 20, 1990

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 26, 2016

– vs. Rafael Natal – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197: Jones vs. St. Preux – April 23, 2016

– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



7) Chris Weidman (13-2)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: June 17, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via KO (flying knee) – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016

– vs. Luke Rockhold – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Gegard Mousasi – UFC 210 – April 6, 2017



8) Anderson Silva (34-8, 1 NC)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: April 14, 1975

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017

– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Michael Bisping – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping – February 27, 2016

– vs. Nick Diaz – No Contest (Originally a decision win, overturned because of a failed drug test) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015

– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via TKO (injury) – UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2 – December 28, 2013

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



9) Derek Brunson (16-5)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: January 4, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Anderson Silva – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017

– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 26, 2016

– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via TKO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016

– vs. Roan Carneiro – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – February 21, 2016

– vs. Sam Alvey – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



10) Dave Branch (20-3)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: September 26, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Louis Taylor – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – WSOF 34 – December 31, 2016

– vs. Vinny Magalhaes – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 33 – October 7, 2016

– vs. Clifford Starks – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 30 – April 2, 2016

– vs. Teddy Holder – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – WSOF 23 – September 18, 2015

– vs. Jesse McElligott – Win via submission (Von Flue choke) – WSOF 20 – April 10, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Branch, the former two-division WSOF champion (middleweight and light heavyweight) sought and received his release from that promotion and quickly reached a deal to return to the UFC. He last competed in the octagon in 2011 but emerged as the best at 185 and 205 for WSOF since joining the promotion in 2012.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7DfF2HBRvs
11) Krzysztof Jotko (19-1)

Height: 6’1

Birthday: August 19, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Thales Leites – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016

– vs. Tamdan McCrory – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – June 18, 2016

– vs. Brad Scott – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 27, 2016

– vs. Scott Askham – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – October 24, 2015

– vs. Tor Troeng – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 4, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown




12) Mamed Khalidov (32-4-2)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: July 17, 1980

Currently Fighting With: KSW

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Azuz Karoglu – Win via decision (split) – KSW 35 – May 27, 2016

– vs. Michal Materla – Win via KO (flying knee) – KSW 33 – November 28, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Luke Barnatt – ACB 54 – March 11, 2017



13) Rafael Carvalho (13-1)

Height: 6’3

Birthday: July 27, 1986

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Melvin Manhoef – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 155 – May 20, 2016

– vs. Brandon Halsey – Win via KO (body kick) – Bellator 144 – October 23, 2015

– vs. Joe Schilling – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 136 – April 10, 2015

– vs. Brian Rogers – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 125 – September 19, 2014

– vs. Mauri Roque – Win via TKO (strikes) – Talent MMA Circuit 9 – May 10, 2014

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



14) Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)

Height: 5’9

Birthday: October 24, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Tim Kennedy – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 206 – December 10, 2016

– vs. Johny Hendricks – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Neil Magny – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 21, 2015

– vs. Nate Marquardt – Win via TKO (corner stoppage) – UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum – June 13, 2015

– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Vitor Belfort – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2016



15) Vitor Belfort (25-13)

Height: 6’0

Birthday: January 4, 1977

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 204 – October 8, 2016

– vs. Jacare Souza – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic – May 14, 2016

– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017

Closing Comments: Thiago Santos received additional votes.