UFC 133 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Middleweights in the UFC

Although he had been promoted as one of the best fighters in the division, Vitor Belfort was looking for his first UFC middleweight win heading into UFC 133.

Belfort's opponent at UFC 133, Yoshihiro Akiyama, was also desperate for a win after losing his previous two fights.

In a performance that showcased his aggressive striking style, Belfort finished Akiyama in the first round. Let's take a look at where that puts Belfort in the middleweight division.

10. Wanderlei Silva

With losses in six of his last eight fights, Wanderlei Silva may be the next legend in line to call it a career. After the former Pride champion's most recent loss to Chris Leben, UFC President Dana White said he might have to try to convince Silva to retire.

Still, Silva is 1-1 at middleweight and holds a win over Michael Bisping. Getting knocked out by a fighter with hands as heavy as Leben's doesn't have to be the tell-tale sign that it is time for Silva to end his career.

9. Michael Bisping

Since his loss to Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping has picked up three straight wins, all three of which came against very respectable competition. Now Bisping will return to where his UFC career began, The Ultimate Fighter.

After coaching against the UFC newcomer on The Ultimate Fighter, Michael Bisping will square off against Jason Miller in the show's season finale.

8. Chris Leben

At UFC 132, Chris Leben may have earned the biggest win of his long UFC career by knocking out Wanderlei Silva in just 27 seconds.

With the win, Leben has now only lost one fight in his last five appearances, which came against fast-rising Brian Stann.

Now, Leben will compete in the UFC's first ever five-round, non-title fight. A win over Mark Munoz in that bout would put Leben a win or two away from a shot at the title.

7. Brian Stann

Brian Stann has looked unstoppable since moving to middleweight in 2010. Stann has already won three fights at 185 pounds and will earn a title shot if he is able to defeat Chael Sonnen at UFC 136.

The weakest part of Stann's game is his wrestling, so Sonnen will obviously look to exploit that, as he has an extensive wrestling background.

6. Demian Maia

Demian Maia suffered a narrow defeat against Mark Munoz at UFC 131, but the Brazilian showed major improvement in his striking during that fight. Maia's stand-up has always been a major hole in his game, so the fact that he has been working on it is promising for his future.

At UFC 136, Maia will look to bounce back against Jorge Santiago, who recently lost to Brian Stann in his UFC debut.

5. Mark Munoz

It might not have been as dominant as he was hoping for, but Mark Munoz's victory of Demian Maia moved him into a position to seriously contend for the middleweight title.

Munoz's next fight will be pivotal, as he is scheduled to square off against Chris Leben in the first ever five-round, non-title fight in UFC history.

4. Vitor Belfort

Many believed Vitor Belfort's recent title shot against Anderson Silva was undeserved. However, Belfort showed why he was considered so dangerous heading into that title fight by making quick work of Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133.

Belfort is on a mission to earn a rematch with Anderson Silva, but he will need a couple more wins before that can become a possibility.

3. Yushin Okami

Three straight wins have earned Yushin Okami a long-awaited title shot. Although Okami is the last fighter to defeat UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, that win came via disqualification due to an illegal upkick.

Although he might have his hands full with Silva, Okami has only lost three times in the last seven years. Okami's only losses during that time came against Chael Sonnen, Jake Shields and Rich Franklin.

2. Chael Sonnen

The one-year anniversary of Chael Sonnen's epic submission loss to Anderson Silva has just passed, but Sonnen has not been able to fight since then. Finally, though, Sonnen has a fight scheduled against Brian Stann.

If Sonnen defeats Stann at UFC 136, it could set up a highly anticipated rematch between Sonnen and Silva.

1. Anderson Silva

With a win over Yushin Okami at UFC 134, Anderson Silva would avenge his only loss in the last six-and-a-half years. Furthermore, a victory would mean an incredible ninth straight title defense for the UFC Middleweight Champion.

With the recent downfall of Fedor Emelianenko, Silva is looking to cement himself as the greatest fighter of all time. Silva has already earned that title in the mind of some, but a few more wins could erase any doubt.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.