UFC 122 Aftermath: Ranking the Top 10 Middleweights

UFC 122 was far from the most anticipated event in UFC history. However, the event did provide a new number one contender in the UFC middleweight division.

The main event of UFC 122 pitted two of the best fighters the division had to offer against eachother. At the end of a somewhat lackluster fight, Yushin Okami arose victorious over Nate Marquardt.

Okami will now face the winner of a highly anticipated championship fight between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.

For Marquardt, the loss serves as yet another setback. This fight marked the second time in 2010 in which Marquardt came up short in a fight to determine the number one contender. The other defeat came in a fight against Chael Sonnen in February.

10. Mark Munoz

Last Fight: Loss vs. Yushin Okami

Next Fight: vs. Aaron Simpson @ UFC 123

A split decision loss to Okami in his last fight now looks more impressive than damaging for Mark Munoz.

If Munoz can get a win against an underrated Aaron Simpson next week, he could one fight away from being a legitimate contender at middleweight.

9. Chris Leben

Last Fight: Win vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Next Fight: vs. Brian Stann @ UFC 125

After scoring a thrilling submission victory over Yoshihiro Akiyama, it appeared that Chris Leben has earned himself a shot against a top contender in the middleweight division.

Instead, Leben will now fight former-light heavyweight Brian Stann. While Stann is coming off of an impressive middleweight debut performance, he isn't quite the opponent that many feel Leben deserved after winning his last two fights in a two-week span.

8. Demian Maia

Last Fight: Win vs. Mario Miranda

Next Fight: vs. Kendall Grove @ TUF 12 Finale

Demian Maia bounced back from his disappointing title shot with a dominating victory over Mario Miranda at UFC 118. After recently fighting Silva, Marquardt, and Sonnen, the fight against Miranda showed that the UFC is going to force Maia to work his way all the way back up the middleweight ladder in order to receive another title shot.

Kendall Grove could serve as the next stepping stone for Maia as the two are scheduled to face each other in early-December.

7. Michael Bisping

Last Fight: Win vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Next Fight: vs. Jorge Rivera @ UFC 127

Michael Bisping did his country proud with a win over Akiyama at UFC 120 in London, England.

Although it has not been made official, Bisping's next fight is likely to be against Jorge Rivera at UFC 127. Rivera had been set to take on Alessio Sakara at UFC 122. However, that fight was canceled on the night of the event due to a Sakara illness. 

6. Wanderlei Silva

Last Fight: Win vs. Michael Bisping

Next Fight: TBA

Wanderlei SIlva's first fight at middleweight in the UFC was successful. The win set Silva up for the possibility of a late-career title run.

Unfortunately, "The Axe Murderer" was forced to undergo knee surgery in July. Silva is expected to return to the Octagon in early-mid 2011. However, an opponent has not yet been scheduled for his next fight.

5. Nate Marquardt

Last Fight: Loss vs. Yushin Okami

Next Fight: TBA

After his second failed attempt at earning number one contender status in 2010, Marquardt could become a career-gatekeeper at middleweight.

Marquardt was reluctant to exchange with Okami for much of their fight at UFC 122. After the event, Dana White suggested Marquardt's trainer, Greg Jackson, was to blame. It will be interesting to see if Marquardt elects to train with a different camp for his next fight in order to resurrect his career.

4. Yushin Okami

Last Fight: Win vs. Nate Marquardt

Next Fight: TBA

With his win over Marquardt at UFC 122, Okami has earned himself a title shot against the winner of the Silva vs. Belfort fight at UFC 126.

The win wasn't spectacular, and some questioned whether or not the judges made the right decision, but Okami's ability to control the center of the Octagon in the third round appeared to be the difference-maker.

After the win, Okami stated, if his translator actually translated correctly (which is highly debatable), that he hopes to fight Silva for the UFC Middleweight Championship. Albeit by disqualification, Okami is the last fighter to defeat Silva.

3. Chael Sonnen

Last Fight: Loss vs. Anderson Silva

Next Fight: TBA

Chael Sonnen certainly made a name for himself in the events leading up to his title fight against Anderson Silva in August. However, it was Sonnen's actions in the Octagon that earned him an enormous amount of respect from the MMA community.

Then, news came that Sonnen tested positive for a performance enhancing drug. While Sonnen is set to appeal his failed drug test in December, the damage has been done. A previously scheduled rematch with Silva has been scrapped.

2. Vitor Belfort

Last Fight: Win vs. Rich Franklin

Next Fight: vs. Anderson Silva @ UFC 126

I was somewhat hesitant to include Vitor Belfort in these rankings. Belfort has not fought in more than one year, and he hasn't fought at middleweight in nearly two years.

However, Belfort is scheduled to fight for the middleweight belt against Anderson Silva in February. Also, in his last fight, Belfort joined Silva and Lyoto Machida as the only fighters to finish former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin.

Nevertheless, the long layoff could play a factor in Belfort's return to the Octagon.

1. Anderson Silva

Last Fight: Win vs. Chael Sonnen

Next Fight: vs. Vitor Belfort @ UFC 126

Anderson Silva's fans were on the edge of their seats when it appeared that the current UFC Middleweight Champion was on the verge of losing his title to Sonnen at UFC 117. However, an amazing submission in the final two minutes of the fight allowed Silva to retain the belt.

Silva supporters attributed the near-loss to the champion's injured ribs. Others began to wonder if Silva is beginning to slow down at 35-years-old.

Silva will get the chance to prove one side right when he fights Belfort at UFC 126.