UFC 125: Ranking the Top 10 Middleweights in the UFC

UFC 125 Middleweight Fights

Brad Tavares defeated Phil Baroni by knockout in the first round

Brian Stann defeated Chris Leben by technical knockout in the first round

Middleweight Fights in February 2011

Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort

Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera

Kyle Noke vs. Chris Camozzi

Nick Ring vs. Riki Fukuda

Other Contenders

Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-3, 2 NC)

Last Fight: Loss vs. Michael Bisping @ UFC 120

Next Fight: TBA

Alan Belcher (16-6)

Last Fight: Win vs. Patrick Cote @ UFC 113

Next Fight: TBA

Rousimar Palhares (11-3)

Last Fight: Win vs. Nate Marquardt @ UFC Fight Night 22

Next Fight: vs. Alexandre Ferreira @ UFC on Versus 3

Maiquel Falcao (26-3, 1 NC)

Last Fight: Win vs. Gerald Harris @ UFC 123

Next Fight: vs. Alessio Sakara @ UFC on Versus 3

Jorge Rivera (18-7)

Last Fight: Win vs. Nate Quarry @ UFC Fight Night 21

Next Fight: vs. Michael Bisping @ UFC 127

10. Chris Leben (25-7)

Last Fight: Loss vs. Brian Stann @ UFC 125

Next Fight: TBA

Chris Leben had an outstanding 3-0 record 2010. His 2011 hasn't gotten off to nearly as great a start.

Despite being a heavy favorite, Leben was knocked out by Brian Stann at UFC 125. Now, Leben will have to regain all the momentum he built up last year.

9. Mark Munoz (9-2)

Last Fight: Win vs. Aaron Simpson @ UFC 123

Next Fight: vs. C.B. Dollaway @ UFC on Versus 3

Mark Munoz bounced back from a loss to Yushin Okami with a win over Aaron Simpson.

Munoz will try to start a winning streak with a win over C.B. Dollaway in March.

8. Michael Bisping (21-3)

Last Fight: Win vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama @ UFC 120

Next Fight: vs. Jorge Rivera @ UFC 127

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

Bisping's next fight is scheduled 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. 

7. Brian Stann (10-3)

Last Fight: Win vs. Chris Leben @ UFC 125

Next FIght: TBA

Brian Stann shocked a lot of people with his first round knockout over Chris Leben at UFC 125.

Stann is not a serious contender at middleweight, and what a story it would make if he is able to earn himself a shot at the title.

6. Demian Maia (14-2)

Last Fight: Win vs. Kendall Grove @ TUF 12 Finale

Next Fight: TBA

Demian Maia is slowly working his way back up the middleweight ladder.

After dominating Mario Miranda and Kendall Grove, Maia is likely to receive a step up in competition for his next fight. His boxing has improved, but will it be good enough for him to make another run at a title shot?

5. Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1, 1 NC)

Last Fight: Win vs. Michael Bisping @ UFC 110

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.

Several fighters have called Silva out during his absence.

4. Nate Marquardt (30-10-2)

Last Fight: Loss vs. Yushin Okami @ UFC 122

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.

3. Yushin Okami (26-5)

Last Fight: Win vs. Nate Marquardt @ UFC 122

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.

2. Chael Sonnen (25-11-1)

Last Fight: Loss vs. Anderson Silva @ UFC 117

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.

1. Anderson Silva (27-4)

Last Fight: Win vs. Chael Sonnen @ UFC 117

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.