UFC 147 Results: Who Are the Top 10 Middleweights in the UFC?

Last night, Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva battled in an exciting rematch that saw Franklin best The Axe Murderer through five rounds of action. 

Although the battle was technically a catchweight contest, it was only due to the short notice on which Franklin accepted the fight. Franklin is returning to the division where he won his UFC championship, so this fight had a significant impact in the rankings.

Where does Franklin stand in the ever-growing UFC middleweight division?

Here's a look at the top 10 middleweights in the UFC.

10. Brian Stann

Last Fight: Knockout win over Alessio Sakara at UFC on Fuel 2 
Next Fight: TBD

Brian Stann is a rising contender who has done well since leaving the light heavyweight division. After rattling off wins over Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago, Stann was considered to be someone ready to step up and battle the elite members of the 171-185 pound class.

The only bump in the road for Stann has been his submission loss to Chael Sonnen last fall. 

Recently, an injury forced Stann out of a planned battle with Hector Lombard on FOX later this year. His return has yet to be announced.

9. Tim Boetsch

Last Fight: Knockout win over Yushin Okami at UFC 144
Next Fight: vs. Hector Lombard at UFC 149

Tim Boetsch is another fighter who has done well since dropping down from the light heavyweight division. Since joining the class of 185, Boetsch has defeated Ultimate Fighter winner Kendall Grove and the undefeated Nick Ring, as well as former title contender Yushin Okami.

The wins have sent Boetsch running up the rankings; however, the win over Okami is the only win against a ranked fighter.

Boetsch has a heavy stone in his path when he faces Hector Lombard next month. The Bellator middleweight champion is looking to impress in his debut. If Boetsch can survive the storm, he will officially announce himself as a title contender.

8. Alan Belcher

Last Fight: Knockout victory over Rousimar Palhares at UFC on Fox 3
Next Fight: TBD

When the fight went to the ground against leglock specialist Rousimar Palhares, many assumed that Alan Belcher would quickly become another victim of a nasty heel hook. Instead, Belcher was able to escape the threats and end up on top with some nasty ground and pound.

This first round stoppage announced Belcher as a contender. When you consider that his only loss in his past seven fights is a controversial split decision against Yoshihiro Akiyama, it seems like his credit is overdue.

Yet it should be noted that Belcher also has wins over Patrick Cote, Ed Herman and Denis Kang to his credit. 

7. Mark Munoz

Last Fight: TKO win over Chris Leben at UFC 138
Next Fight: vs. Chris Weidman at UFC on Fuel 5

Winning fights consecutively is a big deal when it comes to rankings, but quality of opposition and decisive victories play a heavy factor as well.

Although Munoz is riding a four-fight winning streak and is ranked as high as No. 3 on some lists, people tend to overlook that his biggest wins are against Chris Leben and Demian Maia. Both of those men are solid fighters; however neither is highly ranked, and the battle against Maia was closely contested.

When Munoz was given the opportunity to fight a bona-fide title contender back in 2010, he fell short. While losses from two years ago don't hold a lot of weight in 2012 rankings, when the margin between fighters is very small, you have to sweat the small stuff.

The credentials of the fighters above Munoz are just too much to ignore.

6. Hector Lombard

Last Fight: Knockout win over Trevor Prangley at Bellator 58
Next Fight: vs Tim Boetsch at UFC 149

Hector Lombard hasn't lost any of his past 25 fights. That includes eight fights under the Bellator banner, where he won their Middleweight championship and defended it against the top fighters that Bellator could bring in.

Lombard was a big fish in a small pond over in Bellator, but that does not mean that he isn't big enough to swim with the sharks in the UFC. At UFC 149, he makes his Octagon debut against Tim Boetsch. 

Originally, the UFC put Lombard in a battle against Brian Stann, but Stann had to withdraw due to injury. Sources say that Lombard would have received a shot at the UFC middleweight championship if he had been successful.

5. Rich Franklin

Last Fight: Unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147
Next Fight: TBD

Last night, Rich Franklin returned to the division that made him famous when he outstruck Wanderlei Silva for five rounds. The battle was extremely exciting and announced that Franklin can compete with the best in all areas of competition.

Franklin wants to make one more run at a title before retiring. He will need a high level opponent if that wish is to come true...maybe a battle with a returning Bisping or Stann will come to fruition? Both of those fighters are ranked and should be getting back from injury soon.

4. Michael Bisping

Last Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Chael Sonnen at UFC on FOX 2
Next Fight:  TBD

Michael Bisping nearly defeated Chael Sonnen back in January. Considering that Sonnen dominated champion Anderson Silva back in 2010, it is truly indicative of Bisping's level of talent to see that he can compete with the best in the world.

Bisping has lost some close decisions to Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva that have set back his goal to snag a shot at the middleweight championship.

"The Count" was scheduled to meet Tim Boetsch at UFC 149, until an injury forced him to withdraw. Perhaps the injury will be a blessing in disguise, as he will likely get a more highly-touted opponent upon his return.

3. Vitor Belfort

Last Fight: Submission win over Anthony Johnson at UFC 142
Next Fight: TBD

Vitor Belfort has been spectacular since returning to the UFC. Well...unless you count that whole front-kick-heard-round-the-world thing.

All jokes aside, Belfort is a world-ranked fighter who has defeated former champions, won the UFC 17 tournament and become the UFC light heavyweight champion.

The only man to even put up much of a fight against Belfort since 2006 is Anderson Silva, and if we excluded fighters who Silva has made look silly in the past, this would be a much shorter list.

Belfort is recovering from a broken hand. Perhaps a bout with Rich Franklin or Michael Bisping is in the works upon his return. In any case, his opponent had better have a hard head and quick reflexes if he wants to survive. 

2. Chael Sonnen

Last Fight: Unanimous decision win against Michael Bisping at UFC on Fox 2
Next Fight: vs. Anderson Silva at UFC 148

What can be said about Chael Sonnen that hasn't been said before? He has a polarizing personality that some fans embrace while others disdain him.

After nearly capturing the belt from Anderson Silva back at UFC 117, Sonnen is ready for his second chance at glory in less than two weeks, when he meets The Spider at UFC 148.

Can Sonnen cash the checks that his mouth has written for him? Doesn't it seem odd that we haven't heard much trash talk lately from the Oregonian? 

1. Anderson Silva

Last Fight: Knockout win over Yushin Okami at UFC 134
Next Fight: vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 148

Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the history of the middleweight division. In fact, he is the best fighter in the history of mixed martial arts.

After breaking every record you can think of, Silva looks to defeat Chael Sonnen for a second time at UFC 148. Sonnen proved to be the toughest challenge that Silva has ever faced, and if Silva can prove that his late submission wasn't a fluke, his legacy will be untouchable for the rest of time.

Don't miss the biggest rematch in UFC history, on July 7 at UFC 148.