UFC 130 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Middleweights in the UFC

Another impressive performance by Brian Stann at UFC 130 has solidified the former Marine as a top contender. On the other side of Stann's benefit was Jorge Santiago, who could be on his way to another disappointing stint with the UFC unless he can win his next fight.

Overshadowed by Stann's technical knockout win was a dominating win by Tim Boetsch in his middleweight debut against Kendall Grove. Despite being a former winner on The Ultimate Fighter, we may have seen the last of Grove competing in the Octagon.

With UFC 130 in the books, let's take a look at if and where these four middleweights who competed in the event stack up against the rest of the division's elite.

10. Chris Leben

MMA Record: 25-7

Despite losing to Brian Stann in his last fight, Chris Leben still holds a couple of wins over other fighters who could be considered as the 10th best middleweight in the UFC, including a knockout of Jorge Santiago and a submission of Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Still, Leben's place on this list is a sign of the lack of depth in the division. To make matters even worse in that regard, Nate Marquardt will be leaving the division to drop to welterweight for his next fight against Anthony Johnson.

However, one talented middleweight will be returning to the division in the near future. That fighter, Wanderlei Silva, just so happens to be Leben's next opponent at UFC 132.

9. Mark Munoz

MMA Record: 10-2

Since losing in a split decision to top middleweight contender Yushin Okami, Mark Munoz has dominated in his last two fights against Aaron Simpson and C.B. Dollaway.

An excellent wrestler with improving striking, Munoz has to be considered a serious contender if he wins his next fight, which will come against Demian Maia at UFC 131.

8. Michael Bisping

MMA Record: 21-3

Riding a three fight winning streak, Michael Bisping is once again attempting to make a run at a middleweight title shot, a quest that has been derailed twice for Bisping by Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva.

The next step in Bisping's latest run will come against Jason Miller after the two coach against each other in Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Because the coaching matchup has only just been determined, a date for the fight between Bisping and Miller has not yet been determined.

7. Brian Stann

MMA Record: 11-3

Just three fights into his middleweight career, Brian Stann is already considered one of the best in the world. Already considered a contender by some after his win over Chris Leben, Stann validated his status as a contender with another huge win over Jorge Santiago.

With all the top middleweights currently locked into fights, Stann will play the waiting game to hear who his next opponent will be. No matter who that fighter ends up being, they are going to have their hands full with this quickly rising star.

6. Demian Maia

MMA Record: 14-2

Still climbing his way back up the middleweight ladder after his embarrassing loss to Anderson Silva, Demian Maia has won his last two fights against Mario Miranda and Kendall Grove.

Maia will have a much stiffer test on his hands with his next fight against Mark Munoz, though, which will take place at UFC 131.

The fight could provide an excellent indication of which grappling specialist has made the most improvement in their striking over the last year.

5. Nate Marquardt

MMA Record: 31-10-2

Despite being one of the best fighters at middleweight, Nate Marquardt has decided to make the move to welterweight in an effort to make what could be his final legitimate run at a UFC title. Despite the move, Marquardt will remain in these rankings until one year has passed or he competes at 170 pounds in two consecutive fights.

For his first fight at welterweight, Marquardt will meet another fighter who is quite large for the division, Anthony Johnson. Marquardt and Johnson are scheduled to meet at UFC Live on Versus 4.

4. Yushin Okami

MMA Record: 26-5

Yushin Okami has won three straight fights since his last loss, which came against Chael Sonnen in October 2009. Okami's current winning streak has earned him a date with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Okami will meet Silva at UFC 134 in a rematch of a fight Okami won due to disqualification via illegal upkick in January 2006.

3. Vitor Belfort

MMA Record: 19-9

Some may question having Vitor Belfort ranked this high in the middleweight division coming off of a knockout loss to Anderson Silva, but it's hard to fault an agressive striker for being knocked out by one of the best counter strikers the sport has ever seen.

Not to mention, Belfort's dominant win over former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin (fading or not) is more impressive than anything those ranked below him have accomplished as of late.

If you're still not sold on Belfort being viewed as a top middleweight, his next fight will come against Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133. If Belfort turns in anything other than a dominant performance, then you were right to question his legitimacy as an elite middleweight.

2. Chael Sonnen

MMA Record: 25-11-1

It has been quite a rough year for Chael Sonnen. After losing to Anderson Silva in a fight he was less than two minutes away from winning, Sonnen was busted for failing to alert the California State Athletic Commission about his use of testosterone injections.

Sonnen's problems only continued after having his suspension for a failed drug test reduced to six months. Just when it appeared Sonnen was in the clear, he was convicted of money laundering, which led to more suspensions and distractions from fighting.

In order to be able to fight again, Sonnen will have to re-apply for his license to fight next month.

1. Anderson Silva

MMA Record: 28-4

While Chael Sonnen has been battling legal problems since their meeting at UFC 117, Anderson Silva has gotten back to what he does best, knocking people out.

At UFC 126, Silva scored an incredible front kick knockout of Vitor Belfort to retain his belt for the eighth consecutive time.

Now, Silva will attempt to extend that streak to nine and avenge the last loss of his career, although it was due to disqualification, against Yushin Okami at UFC 134.

UFC 130: Fight Card, News, Predictions, Results, and More!

Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @seansmithMMA.