Ranking every UFC middleweight champion from worst to best

As I delve into the lives and careers of these remarkable fighters, I am truly awestruck by their resilience, determination, and unyielding spirit. Each one of them has left an indelible mark on the UFC’s middleweight division, with stories that are as inspiring as they are captivating.

14 various contenders have claimed the UFC middleweight championship since its inception in 2001, making this title one of the most highly esteemed accomplishments in mixed martial arts. Over the years, several legendary fighters have worn the belt, but who among them is the greatest of all time?

It’s no simple task to rank the greatest champions because all of them have demonstrated exceptional skill to reach that pinnacle. Even the one considered the weakest among them is still a UFC champion, an achievement they can carry with pride for the rest of their life. However, in the pantheon of legendary fighters and unparalleled champions, there are some whose accomplishments elevate them above the rest, placing them in a league of extraordinary athletes who have excelled in MMA.

Drawing from my decades-long immersion in the world of MMA, I can confidently say that the fighters listed here have dominated the middleweight division for over two decades, showcasing some of the best performances in this weight class. When creating this ranking, I took into account several crucial factors: the number of successful title defenses each champion managed, the caliber of their competition before and during their reign, and how their careers unfolded within the specific eras they competed in. Each fighter on this list has made significant contributions to the sport and left an indelible mark on MMA history.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve got my eyes on becoming the ultimate champion in the UFC’s middleweight division, but let’s face it, only a handful of fighters who’ve stepped into the Octagon have managed to turn their dreams into reality. Here’s a rundown of every middleweight champ in UFC history, ranked from not-so-impressive to unbeatable.

14. Evan Tanner

In 2005, Evan Tanner, who later passed away, claimed the empty middleweight title after beating David Terrell (6-2) at UFC 51. Tanner’s impressive ground and pound techniques secured a first-round victory for him. However, he lost the belt in his initial defense against Rich Franklin (29-7-1) at UFC 53. Throughout his MMA career, Tanner amassed more than thirty victories, even challenging Tito Ortiz (21-12-1) for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 30. Despite falling short, Tanner continued to be a significant contender and scored notable wins against fighters like Robbie Lawler (30-16-1), who later became the UFC welterweight champion. Although his reign at the top was brief, Tanner played a crucial role in MMA’s early development when it was still relatively unknown.

13. Dave Menne

Dave Menne, at the age of 45, was the inaugural UFC Middleweight Champion. He claimed the title by vanquishing Gil Castillo at UFC 33. However, in his first title defense, Menne suffered a loss to Murilo Bustamante at UFC 35. Menne’s career saw him squaring off against some of the finest competition during the early era of MMA. He managed victories over Carlos Newton and Hayato Sakurai. Regrettably, despite his impressive achievements, Menne is frequently eclipsed by other middleweight champions. This is partly due to the fact that he was unable to successfully defend his title.

12. Murilo Bustamante

It is widely believed that Bustamante set the stage for the successful Brazilian middleweight fighters who followed him. He won the middleweight title by defeating Menne and defended it once against Matt Lindland (22-9) at UFC 37, notably submitting Lindland twice in the same match after referee John McCarthy is said to have missed Lindland’s first tapout during the opening round. This fight was Bustamante’s last with the UFC as he became a free agent immediately afterward and moved on to Pride FC. It remains uncertain how much more Bustamante could have achieved as champion if contract negotiations had allowed him to remain with the UFC.

Ranking every UFC middleweight champion from worst to best

11. Sean Strickland

At UFC 293, Sean Strickland (29-6) claimed the middleweight championship by defeating Israel Adesanya (24-3), considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. This victory marked a significant upset in the world of MMA, and it was a moment that Strickland had worked towards for quite some time within the UFC, facing opponents as instructed. However, Strickland’s actions outside the cage often sparked controversy, leading people to wonder if he would ever get an opportunity at the title due to his history with unfavorable media attention.

As a gamer, I managed to secure a spot in the finals thanks to my consistent performance in the mid-tier bracket. Unfortunately, during my only title defense at UFC 297, I faced Dricus du Plessis (21-2) and came up short, losing by a split decision. But fear not! My popularity within the middleweight division is undeniable, and I’ve got the skills to prove it. So, I’m still in contention for the championship and could even climb higher if I manage to reclaim the gold.

10. Dricus du Plessis

Although Du Plessis has been in the game for a while and has defeated some top-tier fighters such as Strickland, his legacy hasn’t fully solidified yet. However, he managed to outsmart the former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 290, knocking him out in the second round. In his upcoming fight at UFC 305, Du Plessis will defend his title against Adesanya for the first time. If he manages to beat Adesanya, it could significantly boost Du Plessis’s claim as one of the greatest UFC middleweight champions.

9. Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira (11-2) is the unique fighter who has managed to become a dual champion in both kickboxing and MMA. He claimed the UFC crown against one of history’s top middleweight fighters, Adesanya, at UFC 281, but lost it in a rematch at UFC 287. Since then, he has found his niche at light heavyweight, capturing that title by defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. Pereira’s rapid ascent to champion status is remarkable, with victories over fighters like Strickland along the way. His skills seem to align better in the light heavyweight division, sparing him the grueling weight cut down to 185 pounds.

Ranking every UFC middleweight champion from worst to best

8. Luke Rockhold

Luke Rockhold previously held the Strikeforce middleweight title before joining the UFC. During his tenure, he defeated fighters such as Michael Bisping and former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida en route to winning the UFC’s middleweight belt. His most memorable victory was a fourth-round TKO against Chris Weidman to claim the title. Unfortunately, Rockhold’s reign as champion was brief; he lost the belt in his next match against Bisping in their rematch and didn’t seem to fully recover his championship form after that defeat.

7. Georges St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre, who boasts an impressive record of 26 wins with only two losses, isn’t frequently recognized as a great middleweight champion due to his outstanding performance in the welterweight division. However, after a four-year hiatus from fighting, St-Pierre stepped into the middleweight category and clinched the title at UFC 217, defeating Bisping in round three using a rear naked choke. Although St-Pierre later relinquished the belt due to health issues, his status as one of the greatest fighters ever is indisputable. His remarkable achievement of conquering a division other than the one he became famous in solidifies his place amongst the most esteemed middleweight champions.

6. Robert Whittaker

Initially, Robert Whittaker claimed UFC’s middleweight gold by outpointing Yoel Romero (16-7), earning a unanimous decision in their interim title fight at UFC 213. This bout was characterized by its back-and-forth nature. Later, when St-Pierre vacated the title, Whittaker was elevated to undisputed champion. However, he lost his first title defense against Adesanya. Regardless, Whittaker is widely recognized as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history. He has defeated most notable contenders within the division, with fighters like Ronaldo Souza (26-10) and Jared Cannonier (17-7) being among his victories. Whittaker continues to pursue another title shot, possessing the skills that could potentially earn him another gold belt in the future.

5. Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping pulled off an unexpected victory to claim the middleweight title against his longtime rival Luke Rockhold. He later successfully defended it once against Dan Henderson, a rematch that allowed him to avenge one of the most devastating knockouts in MMA history. Their initial encounter at UFC 100 had halted Bisping’s progression, but his journey to reclaiming the title and seeking redemption is nothing short of inspiring. Bisping endured an eye injury following a knockout loss to Vitor Belfort in 2013, which affected his vision for the remainder of his career. Regardless of this setback, Bisping persevered, accumulating victories against formidable opponents until he eventually became champion himself.

Ranking every UFC middleweight champion from worst to best

4. Rich Franklin

Previously, Franklin was a math teacher at high schools who later became a champion in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He claimed the title at UFC 53 and successfully defended it twice against opponents Nate Quarry (12-4) and David Loiseau (23-11), but ultimately faced the legendary Anderson Silva (34-11-1) at UFC 64 and lost. At that time, Franklin was regarded as one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound. He challenged for the middleweight title once more, but again came up short against Silva at UFC 77. Despite these losses, his career remains impressive, and his role as a pioneer in MMA and champion during his era should not be overlooked.

3. Chris Weidman

As a gamer, I’ll recount my epic conquest in the UFC octagon. In a stunning upset at UFC 162, I ended one of the longest title reigns ever, knocking out Silva in the second round. Many dubbed me a heavy underdog, but I proved them wrong, delivering an impossible victory against the once-invincible champion. With three successful defenses to my name, I defeated Silva in a rematch and then took down legends like Machida and Belfort back-to-back. Unfortunately, my journey took a turn for the worse when I lost to Rockhold, but my achievements continue to echo through the MMA world.

2. Israel Adesanya

Among all individuals on this list, Adesanya is the only one to reclaim the middleweight championship following its initial loss. Not only is he one of the most victorious kickboxers in history, but he also ranks among the most accomplished athletes who transitioned from a kickboxing background to MMA. He secured his middleweight throne at UFC 243 by vanquishing Whittaker, thereby consolidating the interim title he had won against Kelvin Gastelum (19-9-1) at UFC 236 with Whittaker’s undisputed crown.

1. His five title defenses, second only to Silva’s record, include victories over some of the top middleweight fighters active today. Despite losing the belt to Pereira initially, Adesanya quickly reclaimed it before losing it again against Strickland. At UFC 305, Adesanya aims to win gold for a third time as he faces his longstanding rival du Plessis.

Ranking every UFC middleweight champion from worst to best

1. Anderson Silva

Silva is not just the best middleweight champion in history, but arguably one of the greatest fighters of all time. To this day, his 10 successful title defenses remain the record for this weight class. He held the belt from 2006 to 2013, a reign that spanned approximately 6 and a half years. At the height of his abilities, Silva effortlessly defeated every opponent, regardless of their perceived toughness. He captured the title from Franklin at UFC 64 and lost it to Weidman at UFC 162, a span totaling 2,457 days.

For a period, Silva held the title, but eventually age took its toll and he encountered the rising stars such as Weidman and Adesanya who managed to outdo him. However, Silva showed resilience, defeating top fighters of his time like Belfort, Henderson, and even endured near-defeats against formidable opponents such as Chael Sonnen (31-17-1). Known for his dominance in the octagon, Silva is currently regarded as the best middleweight champion that UFC has seen so far.

2024-08-17 05:14

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