UFC Rankings : Nate Marquardt With the Top Fifteen Middleweights

Following Nate Marquardt's tremendous performance some insight to where the top fifteen middleweights seemed reasonable. Marquardt has knocked out top contender Demien Maia in the very first round and now took out another contender in Palhares after  avoiding a submission and knocking him out as well.

Nate seems to be becoming the Jon Fitch of the Middeweight division, he can take out practically every one besides the champion. He has fail three times inside the Octagon to Chael Sonnen, the number one contender who was caught in a submission late but pulled the fight out in a unaminous decision, Thales Leites, a very awkward fight in which Nate would've won if so many points weren't taken, and then of course Anderson Silva. "The Spider" is the only man to finish Nate inside the octagon.

We can all agree that his performances against Maia and Palhares are some of the best and most surprising ways to win a fight.

Here is a list where he and his middleweights claim the top fifteen ranking in the UFC Middleweight division.

Just for a quick warning, you have to have at least one fight in the division and your last fight has to be in this division (Vitor Belfort).

Just Missed : Mark Munoz (8-2)

He was pushing for it and is actually one spot out of the top fifteen with his recent loss to Yushin Okami. This boy is definently no push over though. He has defeated Kendall Grove in a tough fight and took out Ryan Jenson.

Next fight : Aaron Simpson UFC 123 (needs to make a big impression in this fight)

15. Gerald Harris (17-2)

Gerald is a strong wrestler who has already won two knockout of the nights over John Salter and Dave Branch. He sets at a lowly 15 for not having fought the competition to be capable of being any higher. However, Harris has won his last ten fights and is ready for the top of the division to come his way, and at 30 years of age they need to move him up while they can.

Next fight : Maiquel Falcao UFC 123 (still not being stepped up)

14. Dan Miller (12-4)

Dan can sure say one thing he has fought the very best in the division. Miller has fought to three decision losses against Chael Sonnen, Demian Maia, and Michael Bisping. Although he did fall short he kept an mma contract and recently pulled out an easy victory over John Salter.

Next Fight : TBA

13. Jorge Rivera (18-7)

Back in June of 2008 we were wondering if we would ever see this man in the octagon. At that point he had lost three of his last six and was finished on all three occasions in the very first round. He fought through them hard times and has now picked up three straight wins over Nate Quarry, Rob Kimmons, and Nissen Osterneck.

Next fight : Alessio Sakara UFC 122 (Don't miss this fight!!!)

12. Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-2 2 No Contests)

Akiyama came into the UFC and attempted to make a point and I still don't believe he has. He has fought twice in the UFC and barely squeeked out a contraversial decision over Alan Belcher. Then he stepped into a street fight against Chris Leben who was on a two week notice. In that fight Akiyama was handed his second loss via submission. To make it short, Akiyama has not impressed me in neither of his fights.

Next fight : Michael Bisping UFC 120 (Good match up for him)

11. Alessio Sakara (15-7)

Sakara is a spectactular stand up fighter who hold 9 of his 15 victories by knockout or tko. He has defeated some top competition in his last three fights by ruining the middleweight debut of "The Sandman" Irvin and taking out former top contender Thales Leites. Similar to his next opponent, Jorge Rivera, Sakara has had struggles in the UFC. He only won one of his first four fights in the UFC and only 3 of his first 8. However, he has now found his groove and has won his last three fights, two by tko or ko.

Next Fight : Jorge Rivera UFC 122 (Don't Miss It!!!!)

10. Rousimar Palhares (11-2)

Palhares is becoming famous for losing, his two biggest fights he fail short by TKO to Nate Marquardt and lost a decision to Dan Henderson. He won his first fight in the UFC after a good career in Fury FC, and then fail short to "Hendo". Then he pulled out three straight victories with two by submission (heel hook). However, he became some what unpopular for when he did not let go of the heel hook on Drwal. Then he was finished for the first time in his mma career to Nate Marquardt.

Next Fight : TBA

9. Michael Bisping (19-3)

Bisping is one of the biggest fan favorites in his homeland, but yet one of the most hated fighters in the states (haha). Anyways, Michael has lost two of his last four fights. However, he fail short to two of the best mma fighters ever, Dan Henderson and Wanderei Silva. He has a 5-2 record after moving down to compete at middleweight. Michael's last fight was a decision victory over tough wrestler, Dan Miller. Bisping still has a ways to go to make it to a title shot if you ask me.

Next Fight : Yoshihiro Akiyama UFC 120

8. Chris Leben (17-6)

If there was a list of a the toughest fighters in mma, you should see this man's face on the cover. He has defined the meaning of a street fight in mma, not always winning but always fighting. Chris came in and won his first five fights, and then fail short to Anderson Silva and then lost two more in his next three. He continued to fight and won two then lost two. He was a very inconsistent fighter, but now has won his last three, including his famous two week notice fight victory over Akiyama.

Next Fight : TBA

7. Demian Maia (13-2)

This man very well could be the best submission fighter in mma today. Maia pulled off his first five fights in the UFC taking out Jason MacDonald, Nate Quarry, Ed Herman, and Chael Sonnen all by submission winning four submission of the night awards. However, he has lost two of his last four to Anderson Silva and Nate Marquardt.

Next fight : Kendall Grove Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale 

6. Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1)

Silva is one of the most famous warriors in all of mma, and one of the few whose main goal is to put on great fights for the fans. He is a well rounded fighter that achieves his goal in every fight. Wanderlei is one of the very few fighters who has a losing record in the UFC, yet is still considered a contender. He came into the UFC with two knockout losses in Pride to Mirko Cro Cop and Dan Henderson. One of the greatest Pride fighters of all-time who has just about done it all. He has fell short of victory three times to "Rampage", Chuck Liddell, and Rich Franklin three other legends of the sport. Since his move down to middleweight he is 1-0 with a win over Michael Bisping.

Next Fight : TBA (Chris Leben? Please???)

5. Yushin Okami (25-5)

Yushin Okami won six fights in a row with four in a tow in the UFC,  but lost to Rich Franklin and didn't get the title shot. Then he went on to win three more fights and hen lost against to Chael Sonnen and fell short against at getting the title shot. Now he has won two more fights in a row and is one more fight away from finally getting that title shot. He has defeated top fighters Mike Swick, Alan Belcher, and Evan Tanner. A very talented and strong fighter who has yet another chance to pull out that title shot he so desperately wants.

Next Fight : Vitor Belfort UFC 122 (Don't Miss It!!!!! Winner should get title shot!)

4. Alan Belcher (16-6)

Alan is the indivisible contender in this division. Every looks at Wanderleie Silva, Vitor Belfort, Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt, or Chael Sonnen as top contenders but Alan should very well be mentioned. Alan holds a 7-4 record in the UFC, and has pulled out six of his last eight. Alan has won his last two against top fighters Wilson Gouveia and Patrick Cote. Before that fight he lost a very contraversial decision to Yoshihiro Akiyama. He is well deserving of being a top five UFC middleweight and should be one or two fights out from a title shot.

Next Fight : TBA (Was Damien Maia, then he had to pull out of the fight due to an injury) 

3. Nate Marquardt (30-8-2)

If you read the first page then that pretty much wraps up Nate Marqurdt. He is a great fighter and striker with big wins over Demian Maia, Palhares, Marting Kampmann, Jeremy Horn, and Wilson Gouveia.

Next fight : TBA

2. Chael Sonnen (24-11-1)

You could have a whole slide of quotes from this man trash talking everyone from Brock Lesnar to Georges St. Pierre. Even though he loves to talk trash he can back in up with tremendous wrestling skills and a improving stand up game. This is a man that you either love or hate, there really is no in between. Sonnen has big wins over Nate Marquardt, Yushin Okami, Paulo Filho, and Dan Miller. He is most famous for his four round beating he gave to Anderson Silva. However, he fail short by getting caught in a triangle choke in the very last round.

Next Fight : Anderson Silva (Date is still to be decided)

1. Anderson Silva (27-4)

This man needs no introduction. Even the simplest of UFC fans know this guy and has seen some of his fights and highlights. He has defeated a who's who in the middleweight division, and has even ventured to Light-Heavyweight and won. Anderson is 12-0 in the UFC and that should say alot. On every intelligent list of the best middleweight fighters Anderson should be number 1, and even on most pound for pound lists he is number 1. Silva is the obvious choice, unlike last list, to be named the best on the list.

Next fight : Chael Sonnen (Date is still yet to be decided)

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