UFC 134 Results: Anderson Silva and the Top 10 Middleweights in the UFC

UFC 134 was an amazing event that brought a lot of exciting fights and moments back to the country where it all began—Brazil.

Not only did the night provide a host of entertaining bouts, it also had major implications on the state of the UFC's middleweight division.

On the preliminary card, Rousimar Palhares made statement and jumped in the rankings by taking the unanimous decision win over hard-nosed UFC veteran Dan Miller.

The main card featured a championship bout between UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva and top contender Yushin Okami.  Retaining his title and cementing his legacy, Silva knocked out his Japanese opponent in the second round, brutally beating him in a fashion similar to his victory over Forrest Griffin.

Here's how the UFC's top ten middleweights rank up after such amazing night of fights.

10. Rousimar Palhares

Rousimar Palhares made a splash at UFC 134 by defeating toughened veteran Dan Miller.

The bout started out with a bang as both fighters exchanged on their feet.  In the first round, Palhares rocked Miller with a head kick and thought that he had finished him after hard ground-and-pound strikes.  

However, after a brief premature celebration, referee Herb Dean said that time was left and Miller rocked Palhares with a hook.

Bouncing back from the turn of events, Palhares went on to dominant the final two frames, getting the better of Miller in most of their exchanges.

Now on a two fight win streak and 6-2 overall in the UFC, Palhares joins the promotion's top ten middleweights.

Before this win, Palhares defeated Dave Branch with his signature leg attacks, catching his opponent in a kneebar.

After displaying such an improved stand-up game, Palhares needs to stick to his winning ways if he wants to advance even further in the division.

9. Demian Maia

Although taking the loss in his last bout against Mark Munoz, Demian Maia finally showed that he has evolved as an MMA fighter.

Known for his lethal Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Maia became a one dimensional fighter, unable to deal with all the facets of a champion's game as proven by his failed shot at Anderson Silva's title.

Now with a much improved striking game that almost defeated Munoz, Maia has become an even deadlier middleweight.

Set to face Jorge Santiago at UFC 136, a win over a top middleweight veteran and former champion will bolster Maia's standing in the upper echelon of the division. 

8. Chris Leben

A hard-nosed, power-punching brawler, Chris Leben has been a mainstay in the UFC's middleweight division for over six years.

Recently, Leben bounced back from a brutal defeat at the hands of Brian Stann by taking out one of the sport's most revered combatants, Wanderlei Silva.

In the fastest finish in Leben's career, "the Crippler" battered Silva with uppercuts from the clinch, ending the bout in just 27 seconds.

Now set to face former All-American Mark Munoz in November, Leben will have another tough up-and-comer on his hands.

Proven to be more than a gatekeeper as his wins over Yoshihiro Akiyama and Wanderlei Silva can attest, another win over a top fighter may put him back in line for a shot at a rematch with the champion.

7. Michael Bisping

Ever since winning the third season of the Ultimate Fighter, Michael Bisping has been on a tear in the UFC, taking down some of the best fighters in the promotion.

Although a title shot has alluded him throughout his career, he's shown to be no slouch, as he's taken out the likes of Chris Leben, Yoshihiro Akiyama, and Matt Hamill.  All three of his career losses have come to current or former champions—Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, and Rashad Evans.

The British bad boy had caught a lot of criticism lately for his disrespectful antics in his latest win over Jorge Rivera, but there is no denying his skills in the cage.

After coaching the fourteenth season of the Ultimate Fighter, he will face the comical Jason Miller at the show's finale.

A big win over one of MMA's biggest personalities will surely get the Brit one step closer at the elusive title shot.

6. Mark Munoz

One of the most promising fighters in the UFC today, former NCAA national champion Mark Munoz has put a beat down on the middleweight division.

At 6-2 in the UFC, with his only two career losses coming to Matt Hamill and Yushin Okami, Munoz is currently riding a three fight win streak that includes victories over Demian Maia and CB Dollaway.

Possessing possibly the best wrestling in the division and showing ample growth in the striking department, the heavy-handed Munoz will take on Chris Leben later this year.

If he can dominate Leben and showcase all the necessary tools of a champion, he may be on track to becoming the top contender at 185.

5. Vitor Belfort

After being out of the UFC for over four years, Vitor Belfort returned with a vengeance, this time at middleweight, against former champion RIch Franklin.

Belfort knocked out the legend halfway through the first round and won himself a shot at Anderson Silva.

His return to a UFC championship match did not go as planned, however, as Silva quickly disposed of the former champion with a quick front kick and strikes.

Devastated by the loss, Belfort was rejuvenated and motivated once again going into his last bout with Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Wasting no time at all, Belfort pounced on the Japanese superstar and became the first man to knock him out in the UFC.

Asking for another run at the belt, UFC President Dana White tempered his passion by saying he is a win or two away.

If he can continue putting opponents away as fast as his last two wins, then that shot should come sooner than later.

4. Yushin Okami

UFC 134 was a big night for Yushin Okami, who looked to become the first Japanese UFC champion.

The fight, however, did not end the way he would have wanted it though.

Taking on champion Anderson Silva, Okami planned to back up the win he held over the champion from 2006—a disqualification of Silva from an illegal kick.

Five years later, both fighters came out much bigger than their last match, but Silva was clearly more skilled.

Fighting a counter fight with his hands down, similar to the fight with Forrest Griffin, Silva picked apart Okami in the first round, ending with a roundhouse kick to the head.

The second round saw Silva unload on the challenger, knocking him down with a jab and countering with a hook that ultimately would lead to Okami's demise. After a few ground and pound shots, the match was over.

The loss put an end to Okami's three fight win streak.  If he wants to keep his standing in the division, he will have to come away victorious in his next outing.

3. Brian Stann

Former Marine hero Brian Stann has taken the middleweight division by storm since dropping down to 185.

Riding a three fight win streak coming into his next bout against Chael Sonnen, Stann has defeated each of his middleweight opponents either by submission or knock out.

His last two wins are back-to-back finishes of the hard-hitting Chris Leben and former Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago.

Taking out the guy who came the closest to ending Anderson Silva's reign will guarantee him a chance to fight for a shot to become the next middleweight champion.

2. Chael Sonnen

Even though he hasn't fought in over a year due to both testosterone and money laundering scandals, the UFC's premier trash talker still remains the second best middleweight in the UFC.

The man who came to closest to defeating Anderson Silva keeps his position due to the amazing performance and because he holds a win over many of the top fighters in the division.

Hungry to claim what he already considers his belt, Sonnen will have a tough challenge on his hands when he takes on the "All-American" Brian Stann.

Many people would love to see a rematch between him and Silva, but first he must take out a fellow American before getting another shot at  Brazilian champion.

1. Anderson Silva

Time and time again, Anderson Silva proves why he is the greatest fighter in UFC history.

Rectifying his controversial loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 134 last night, Silva has effectively cleared out the division.

Extending his UFC record title reign to nine consecutive defenses, Silva really does not have any challengers left to face him.

Taking out either Brian Stann or Chael Sonnen for a second time will only further cement his legacy and should act as a catalyst for Dana White to finally pit "the Spider" against other top champions in the promotion.

This big win over Okami just adds to the list of examples as to why Silva should be considered the greatest of all time.