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411 MMA Rankings 06.12.18: Middleweight Division – Robert Whittaker, Gegard Mousasi, More
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping retired from MMA at the end of May, turning the page on any potential fights later this year. The 39-year-old will turn his focus to family and his broadcasting career (meaning he will almost definitely have a spot on ESPN when the UFC moves to their airwaves in January.
When I took over the 411 MMA Rankings in 2009, Michael Bisping was the 14th best middleweight in the world and he was fresh off his win over Chris Leben months earlier. He was still four months from his famous knockout loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 100. In June 2016, after he knocked out Luke Rockhold to win the UFC championship, he took over the #1 spot in the rankings. Though he concluded his 13-plus year career with consecutive losses, he will be remembered as the greatest English fighter in UFC history.
Bisping burst onto the scene during the third season of The Ultimate Fighter as a member of Tito Ortiz’s team. He was criticized for being a “protected” fighter (before UFC 100, his big win streaks included opponents like Eric Schafter, Charles McCarthy and Jason Day). Before he could mount a run towards Anderson Silva, he lost fights to Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva. On the cusp of earning a title fight, he lost a decision to Chael Sonnen (at the time, I scored it for Bisping). Losses to Vitor Belfort, Tim Kennedy and Luke Rockhold all appeared to have derailed any hope he had to fight for a UFC championship. Then in 2016, he scored the biggest win of his career when he won a decision against Anderson Silva in London. The win set up a rematch with new champion Luke Rockhold and Bisping knocked him out in the first round. He avenged the famous loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 204 but lost the title to Georges St. Pierre at Madison Square Garden last November.
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Robert Whittaker (20-4)
Height: 6′
Birthday: December 20, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Whittaker broke his right hand early on Saturday and still managed to overcome late bursts from Yoel Romero to win the non-title main event at UFC 225.
2) Gegard Mousasi (44-6-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rafael Carvalho – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 200 – May 25, 2018
– vs. Alexander Shlemenko – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 185 – October 20, 2017
– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 210 – April 6, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Mousasi won the Bellator middleweight championship on Memorial Day Weekend, his seventh consecutive win going back to 2016. It’s his first title since he held the DREAM 205-pound title in 2011. The fact that he is approaching 50 pro wins is incredible, he’s only going to turn 33-years-old this summer and his current win percentage stands at 85% after 52 fights.
3) Yoel Romero (13-3)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: April 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Romero missed weight for his second consecutive title fight and main event at UFC 225. Whether it was by 0.2 pounds or more, the Illinois commission deemed it too dangerous to allow him to continue with his weight cut. Beyond forfeiting a percentage of his earnings, will there be any long term consequences for his unprofessional behavior?
4) Kelvin Gastelum (15-3, 1 NC)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 24, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Chris Weidman – Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC on Fox – July 22, 2017
– vs. Vitor Belfort – No Contest (original win by Gastelum overturned due to marijuana) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017
– vs. Tim Kennedy – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 206 – December 10, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: There is no telling how long Whittaker will be out of action, but assuming he can return before the end of 2018, it would appear like Kelvin Gastelum has to be the favorite to earn the next shot at the champion. Romero has not made weight in his two fights this year. The only other UFC middleweights in the top 10 who have won their last fights include Gastelum, Chris Weidman (has not fought since last summer) and David Branch (2-1 since returning to the UFC last year). In Gastelum’s favor is the fact he’s healthy and coming off wins over former champion Michael Bisping and is the only man besides Whittaker and Romero to defeat Jacare Souza in the last six years.
5) Luke Rockhold (16-4)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: October 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Yoel Romero – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 221 – February 11, 2018
– vs. David Branch – Win via TKO (submission to strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 16, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (25-6, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 7, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 224 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via KO (head kick and punches) – UFC on Fox – January 27, 2018
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y47ySeyiCdE
7) Chris Weidman (14-3)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: After a series of surgeries to repair his left hand, Weidman is looking to return to action this fall.
8) David Branch (22-4)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 26, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Thiago Santos – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Loss via TKO (submission to strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 16, 2017
– vs. Krzysztof Jotko – Win via decision (split) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUjHEmsvA7g&t=12s
9) Derek Brunson (18-6)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 4, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jacare Souza – Loss via KO (head kick and punches) – UFC on Fox – January 27, 2018
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. Daniel Kelly – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – June 10, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Antonio Carlos Jr. – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ryrzybJOM
10) Rafael Carvalho (15-2)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: July 27, 1986
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 200 – May 25, 2018
– vs. Alessio Sakara – Win via KO (elbow) – Bellator 189 – December 9, 2017
– vs. Melvin Manhood – Win via KO (head kick) – Bellator 176 – April 8, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0QaQB9t3oU
11) Thiago Santos (17-6)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: January 7, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. David Branch – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Anthony Smith – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 3, 2018
– vs. Jack Hermansson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. Gerald Meerschaert – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017
– vs. Jack Marshman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 19, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) Ramazan Emeev (19-3)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: May 20, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alberto Mina – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 224 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Sam Alvey – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 21, 2017
– vs. Anatoly Tokov – Win via decision (split) – M-1 Challenge 73 – December 9, 2016
– vs. Maiquel Falcao – Win via submission (anaconda choke) – M-1 Challenge 65 – April 8, 2016
– vs. Luigi Fioravanti – Win via TKO (corner stoppage) – M-1 Challenge 63 – December 4, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Mamed Khalidov (34-5-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 17, 1980
Currently Fighting With: KSW
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tomasz Narkun – Loss via submission (triangle choke) – KSW 42 – March 3, 2018
– vs. Borys Mankowski – Win via decision (unanimous) – KSW 39 – May 27, 2017
– vs. Luke Barnatt – Win via KO (punches) – ACB 54 – March 11, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Antonio Carlos Jr. (10-2)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: March 16, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tim Boetsch – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
– vs. Jack Marshman – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. Eric Spicely – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
– vs. Marvin Vettori – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. Leonardo Guimaraes – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Derek Brunson – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
15) Uriah Hall (13-8)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 31, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Derek Brunson – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – September 17, 2016
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 27, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Paulo Henrique Costa – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
