Chael Sonnen and the 5 Hardest Hitting Middleweights in the UFC Today

The UFC Middleweight division is one of the most overlooked weight classes in mixed martial arts today.

And, while the weight class consists of the world's greatest fighter in Anderson Silva and 45 other 185 lb. fighters, it has still been criticized for it's lack of competition.

While the Middleweight division may not have some of the "bigger names" like the Light Heavyweight division, it does produce some of the UFC's hardest hitters.

The following slides display the 5 hardest hitting Middleweights in the UFC today.

Lets take a look.

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is unarguably one of the hardest hitters not only in the Middleweight division, but the entire UFC.

The world's greatest fighter has compiled 31 career victories and 18 of them have come by way of knockout.

Silva has used his heavy hitting to knockout opponents such as Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, Vitor Belfort and many others.

Vitor Belfort

Vitor Belfort is arguably the hardest hitter in the Middleweight division today.

Nearly every time Belfort is victorious it is by way of knockout as 14 of his 20 career fights have ended by stoppage.

Belfort is an absolute monster when it comes to his punches as he's knocked out Forrest Griffin, Wanderlei Silva, and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Chael Sonnen

Chael Sonnen is one of the more underrated heavy hitting Middleweights today.

More recognized for his ability to take his opponent to a grueling decision, Sonnen has knocked out seven opponents.

Anderson Silva found out first hand how hard Sonnen can hit as he knocked him down time and time again. Not only is Sonnen a heavy hitter in the stand up but in the ground game as well.

Brian Stann

Despite displaying a mediocre performance at UFC 136 against Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann still remains one of the hardest hitters in the Middleweight division.

"All-American" Stann has knocked out over half the opponents he's faced since entering the sport of mixed martial arts in 2006.

Stann's most recent victims consist of Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago.

Chris Leben

While Chris Leben may not be the brightest fighter in the UFC today, he's certainly one of the hardest hitters.

Leben has become a fan favorite across the UFC for the excitement he brings to his fights as he is constantly swinging for the fences every time he enters the Octagon.

Leben displayed his heavy hitting against Wanderlei Silva, Aaron Simpson, Alessio Sakara, and Jorge Santiago.