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411 MMA Rankings 11.13.18: Middleweight Division – Robert Whittaker, Gegard Mousasi, More
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:
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – UFC 234 – February 9, 2019
Comment: It’s official, Whittaker will defend the UFC middleweight crown for the first time in February in his home country, Australia. It will mark the first time he’s fighting at home as champion since 2012 and his first fight back there since he knocked out Derek Brunson in 2016. After a pair of five round wars with Yoel Romero since last year, it will be intriguing to see whether there’s any lasting affects from those battles.
2) Gegard Mousasi (45-6-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 1, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 206 – September 29, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Mousasi destroyed Rory MacDonald in a welterweight champion vs. middleweight champion fight (at 185) in September. Most recently, Gegard told Luke Thomas he has three fights left on his Bellator contract and it’s possible he’ll hang up the gloves at the end of that span. Although he is just 33-years-old, he has over 50 pro MMA fights and over 20 other fights, at least, across other combat sports.
He has fought all over the world including the Netherlands, Russia (M-1), Ireland, Japan (Deep, Pride, DREAM), England, Canada, U.S. (Strikeforce, UFC, Bellator) and others and remains one of the best fighters in the world.
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: ESPN reports the planned fight between Paulo Costa and Romero is off due to an injury sustained by the Brazilian. Ariel Helwani reported Romero’s preference is to stay on the card in January and fight Anderson Silva, but there’s no confirmation from the UFC yet on their plans.
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:
– vs. Robert Whittaker – UFC 234 – February 9, 2019
Comment: Finally, Kelvin Gastelum has his first UFC title fight booked and on the schedule. He just turned 27-years-old a few weeks ago, a surprise considering he’s been on UFC television since 2013. He began his pro career in Mexico in 2010 and picked up wins in the following years in Arizona before earning a spot on TUF season 17 (the Jones/Sonnen year). Storming through the exhibitions to reach the finals, he beat Uriah Hall two win the tournament. He dropped to welterweight and picked up four consecutive wins (missing weight once) before he lost a split decision to Tyron Woodley (again, missing weight). He flipped between the 170 and 185 divisions until he finally settled in at 185 in 2016 with a win over Tim Kennedy. He knocked out Vitor Belfort next, but the win was overturned because he failed a drug test for marijuana. Since then, he’s 2-1 with a loss to Chris Weidman and wins over Michael Bisping (a knockout) and Jacare Souza. He’s not the undefeated badass prospect anymore, yet he’s still a scary opponent for any middleweight. When he was a prospect, he was referred to as Mini-Cain (at a time when Cain Velasquez, another American of Mexican descent was crushing at the top of the heavyweight division) but now he has a chance coming up to build his legacy as one of the best in the sport.
5) Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (26-6, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 7, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) 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
Comment: Rockhold was set to return at UFC 230 earlier this month, but suffered an infection in his left shin, a broken nose and a sprained right knee and had to withdraw from the card. He hopes on returning to action within the next few months.
7) 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:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Bellator 211 – December 15, 2018
8) Chris Weidman (14-4)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 17, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Weidman is considering moving up in weight to 205-pounds following his fourth loss in his last five fights.
9) David Branch (22-5)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: September 26, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jared Cannonier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Israel Adesanya (15-0)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Derek Brunson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018
– vs. Brad Tavares – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Finale – July 6, 2018
– vs. Marvin Vettori – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2018
– vs. Rob Wilkinson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 221 – February 11, 2018
– vs. Stuart Dare – Win via KO (head kick) – Hex Fighting Series 12 – November 24, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
–Comment: Adesanya picked Derek Brunson apart at UFC 230 and has many of the middleweights talking about him, including even Jacare Souza.
11) 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:
– vs. Tomasz Narkun – KSW 46 – December 1, 2018
Comment: Khalidov will get his rematch with reigning light heavyweight champion Tomasz Narkun. The latter won their March fight with a submission in one of the top fights of the year. The loss for Mamed was his first in Europe in 13 years and his first, period, since he dropped a decision to Jorge Santiago in Japan in 2010.
12) Derek Brunson (18-7)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 4, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Paulo Henrique Costa (12-0)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: April 21, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Garreth McLellan – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017
– vs. Adriano Balby – Win via KO (punch) – Jungle Fight 90 – September 3, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Jared Cannonier (11-4)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: March 3, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
– vs. Nick Roehrick – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC TUF Finale – July 7, 2017
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Cannonier, on short notice, made his middleweight debut against David Branch at Madison Square Garden and finished him in the second round. He had about two weeks to prepare for Branch and came out of the event with an extra $50,000 after earning a performance bonus in addition to his purse. You couldn’t have asked for a better start at 185.
15) 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:
– Unknown
