B/R Official Rankings for October: The Top 10 Middleweights in MMA

In August, the middleweight division sent two of it's biggest stars to the light heavyweight division.

This move shook up the rankings big time, as Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort were members of the Top Five.

The divisional action didn't slow down for one second in September, as UFC Champion Anderson Silva agreed to a light heavyweight fight. We witnessed a potential title eliminator between Michael Bisping and Brian Stann, and a huge battle between Chris Weidman and Tim Boetsch was booked for December.

Let's take a look at how the rankings were affected by such a big month for the division. This is the official Bleacher Report MMA rankings of MMA's middleweight division for the month of October 2012.

Disclaimer:

These rankings are the combined efforts of some of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers as we continue to try and provide you with the best content on the web. For the latest MMA news and freshest MMA opinions, follow them on Twitter:

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Andrew Saunders @SaundersMMA

10. Hector Lombard

Promotion: UFC

Record: 31-3-1 (1)

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Tim Boetsch via split decision at UFC 149

Next Fight: Rousimar Palhares at UFC on FX 6

Previous Ranking: N/A

With new writers added into our ranking's team this month, the marginal gap between Hector Lombard, Yushin Okami and Luke Rockhold was shifted just enough to make a difference at the bottom this month.

Hector Lombard was the victim of a controversial decision in his UFC debut against Tim Boetsch back in July. While neither man was impressive in their performance, B/R MMA readers voted that Lombard had done enough to walk away with his arm raised.

The loss shut down an unbeaten streak of 25 Fights and removed Lombard from title talks.

The Cuban is looking to get back into the win column in December when he meets submission specialist Rousimar Palhares at UFC on FX 6.

9. Yushin Okami

Promotion: UFC

Record: 27-7

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Buddy Roberts at UFC 150

Next Fight: vs Alan Belcher at UFC 155

Previous Ranking: 8

Yushin "Thunder" Okami was once seen as a true force to be reckoned with in the UFC.

Prior to his bout with Tim Boetsch, the Japanese wrestler sported an impressive 10-3 record inside the Octagon, with his only losses coming at the hands of Rich Franklin, Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.

Unfortunately, Okami was unable to fend-off the 3rd Round's flurry that Tim Boetsch delivered at UFC 144, and Thunder tumbled in the rankings after being knocked out by an unranked foe.

Okami is building his momentum after defeating Buddy Roberts in August.

He's looking to defeat Alan Belcher at UFC 155. If successful, we can expect Thunder to get a big named opponent in early 2013.

8. Brian Stann

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-5

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Michael Bisping at UFC 152

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 7

Brian Stann is a popular American star who might just be the nicest guy in all of mixed martial arts. With heavy hands and a dangerous striking game, Stann has worked his way to victories over the likes of Alessio Sakara, Jorge Santiago and Chris Leben.

At UFC 152, Stann met Michael Bisping in a fight that was promoted as a potential title eliminator. Although he was not shut out the way that some predicted, Stann was unsuccessful in his attempt to dethrone The Count.

Stann is looking to regroup after the loss.

This is the second time that he has met a Top Five opponent, and the second time that he has walked away with the loss since dropping to middleweight.

7. Jake Shields

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-6-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Ed Herman at UFC 150

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 10

After some discussion this past month, we may have been a bit too stingy in our rankings of Jake Shields.

While it is true that the Cesar Gracie standout is only 3-2 since joining the UFC, we cannot forget that his welterweight bouts should not affect his placement at 185 pounds.

Shields is 4-0 as a middleweight since 2009, with wins over Dan Henderson, Jason Miller, Robbie Lawler (at 182 pound catchweight) and his most recent win against Ed Herman in August.

Some would argue that the pedestrian performances that Shields delivered at welterweight were the product of an excessive weight cut that his body is no longer suited for.

Fighting once again at middleweight, we should see the former Strikeforce champion continue to rise.

6. Mark Munoz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-3

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Chris Weidman at UFC on Fuel 4

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 6

Before a July battle with Chris Weidman, many felt that Mark Munoz was on his way to a title shot. After all, the Filipino "Wrecking Machine" was 6-1 as a middleweight, and his sole loss came via split decision against the always dangerous Yushin Okami.

The battle with Weidman should have solidified Munoz's place as a member of the middleweight elite. Instead, he was unable to dole out any punishment, as Weidman controlled nearly every second of the contest.

When Munoz returns, he will get the opportunity to convince fans that he can compete with the best in the world.With solid wrestling and the kind of ground and pound that gives men nightmares, it shouldn't take long to get back on track.

5. Alan Belcher

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-6

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Rousimar Palhares at UFC on Fox 3

Next Fight: Yushin Okami at UFC 155

Previous Ranking: 5

Maybe Alan Belcher side-stepped a bullet. After all, if the recent performance put on by Vitor Belfort is any indication, a battle between the middleweights at UFC 153 might have ended up being a long night for "The Talent".

In any case, Belcher has looked spectacular in recent bouts, as he posted a 6-1 record in his most recent fights. If that isn't impressive enough, the sole loss in that time came via controversial decision at UFC 100 against Yoshihiro Akiyama.

If Belcher can get passed Yushin Okami in December, it will be hard to argue that he's unworthy of a title opportunity.

4. Tim Boetsch

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Hector Lombard at UFC 149

Next Fight: Chris Weidman at UFC 155

Previous Ranking: 4

I might be alone in my thoughts here, but I still can't imagine Tim Boetsch being in the Top Five of his division.

While I acknowledge that "The Barbarian" has wins over Yushin Okami and Hector Lombard to his credit, I think everybody is overlooking that he was being dominated by Okami in the first two rounds, and that he was gift-wrapped a decision after a dreadful performance against Lombard.

Boetsch does have the distinction of being 4-0 since dropping to middleweight, and that is truly a feat to be proud of. To his credit, "The Barbarian" is very tough and could make me eat my words in December. If he gets passed Chris Weidman, there is no limit to his potential.

3. Michael Bisping

Promotion: UFC

Record: 23-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Brian Stann at UFC 152

Next Fight: Brian Stann at UFC 152

Previous Ranking: 3

Michael Bisping utilized some quality takedowns to show off his well-rounded skills at UFC 152 when he defeated Brian Stann in a closely contested bout.

It wasn't the dominant victory that "The Brit" was searching for, but it prevented him from taking home consecutive losses, which would have been disastrous for his title hopes.

Seventeen fights into his UFC career and Bisping has finally defeated a top ten opponent. Despite a valiant performance against Chael Sonnen in January, the only other time that The Count stepped into a bout with a member of the division's finest was his knockout loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 100.

Don't get me wrong. Bisping's talent level is not supported by his lack of quality wins. "The Count" is a dangerous foe for any man and will likely challenge for the belt if he is successful in his next outing. 

Hopefully, Bisping gets a big name in his next fight. Perhaps someone will finally realize that a bout with Rich Franklin would be huge for the division.

2. Chris Weidman

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-0

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Mark Munoz at UFC on Fuel 4

Next Fight: Tim Boetsch at UFC 155

Previous Ranking: 2

Chris Weidman has an opponent, but it's not the one he wanted. 

Instead of the title shot that Weidman earned back in July, he will face No. 4 ranked Tim Boetsch at UFC 155 in December.

With a combined record of 9-0 as UFC middleweights, the fight should undoubtedly produce the next man to challenge for the belt.

With Anderson Silva looking to take a pair of fights outside of the middleweight division, it looks like Weidman will be waiting on his dream fight for the foreseeable future.

1. Anderson Silva

Promotion: UFC

Record: 32-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Chael Sonnen at UFC 148

Next Fight: Stephan Bonnar at UFC 153 (light-heavyweight contest)

Previous Ranking: 1

When Dana White announced the cancellation of UFC 151 in late August, we heard rumors that UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva had volunteered to fight any light-heavyweight on short notice in order to allow the event to go on as scheduled.

Was it a publicity stunt to make Silva look good by claiming that he volunteered, but only after the event was cancelled?

Apparently not.

Shortly after that UFC 151 crisis, Jose Aldo was forced out of the UFC 153 main event. There was no time to find a main event that would allow the competitors to have a full training camp. Without hesitation, Silva once again agreed to fight any light-heavyweight that the UFC could put in front of him, barring Jon Jones.

Silva has proven his ability to be a company man, and he will now meet Stephan Bonnar in the new main event.

Will this be the 16th consecutive win inside the Octagon for The Spider?

Will he be the first man to finish Bonnar?

Or are we about to see the biggest upset in UFC history?