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411 MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Michael Bisping has not had five consecutive wins since his early UFC days nearly a decade ago. However, today he is there again and remains the UFC champion after a five round war with Dan Henderson at UFC 204. He won’t see action again until 2017, so clearly this year has proven to be the best of his professional career and at the age of 37, who would have guessed it?
Moving forward, the UFC is all about clearing the mess among the top middleweight contenders to see who gets the next shot at Bisping. In November, Luke Rockhold will take on Jacare Souza in a rematch of their 2011 Strikeforce title bout (Rockhold scored the upset back then) where the winner is assumed to be the next man up. However, Chris Weidman returns to action for the first time this year at Madison Square Garden next month against Yoel Romero. Chris last fought in December when he was knocked out by Luke Rockhold to lose the UFC title and a win over Romero would be impressive enough to get right back in the title mix. But, there’s also Gegard Mousasi lurking around and fresh off one of the biggest wins of his long career, a TKO win over Vitor Belfort from Saturday night. In fact, the win was Gegard’s 40th professional win.
One of those five men will get Bisping early in 2017 while the others continue to churn out title contenders.
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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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) 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:
– Unknown
2) 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:
– vs. Jacare Souza – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Souza 2 – November 27, 2016
3) Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (23-4, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 7, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Francis Carmont – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi – February 15, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Luke Rockhold – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Souza 2 – November 27, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp8TEBmQ6-Q
4) Chris Weidman (13-1)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Yoel Romero – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
5) Gegard Mousasi (40-6-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Costa Philippou – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 16, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Robert Whittaker (16-4)
Height: 6′
Birthday: December 20, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Mike Rhodes – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 28, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Derek Brunson – UFC Fight Night – November 27, 2016
7) Derek Brunson (16-3)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 4, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC Fight Night – November 27, 2016
8) Anderson Silva (33-8, 1 NC)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman – July 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Yoel Romero (11-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou – January 15, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Chris Weidman – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
10) Dave Branch (19-3)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 26, 1981
Currently Fighting With: World Series of Fighting
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Yushin Okami – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 15 – November 15, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: WSOF’s 205-pound and 185-pound champion, Branch defended his light heavyweight gold last week with a clear decision win over Vinny Magalhaes. He extended his win streak to nine and is arguably the best fighter in the promotion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAaCU3dcsiU
11) 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:
– vs. Rashad Evans – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vku5nDJHzTY
12) 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:
– Unknown
13) Rafael Natal (21-7-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 25, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197 – April 23, 2016
– vs. Kevin Casey – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 30, 2016
– vs. Uriah Hall – Win via decision (split) – UFC 187 – May 23, 2015
– vs. Tom Watson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 183 – January 31, 2015
– vs. Chris Camozzi – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 5, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Tim Boetsch – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
14) 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:
– Unknown
Comment: Expect Khalidov back in action around January.
15) Thales Leites (26-6)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 6, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Chris Camozzi – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 27, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Krzysztof Jotko – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
Closing Comments: Uriah Hall, Magnus Cedenblad and Rafael Carvalho received additional votes.
