The UFC middleweight division suddenly looks stronger than it has in the past. It no longer has only one contender but multiple. The likes of Hector Lombard, Chris Weidman, Alan Belcher, Michael Bisping, Tim Boetsch, Jake Shields, Brian Stann, Mark Munoz, Rousimar Palhares, and possibly Rashad Evans provide as new blood to try and dethrone the king of the 185 pound division, Anderson Silva. Vitor Belfort is a contender as well but seeing that he already fought Anderson Silva, he would most likely need to win a few more fights. Rich Franklin wants a third crack at Anderson Silva after dropping back down to middleweight, but he will need to put together an impressive win streak together to ever see that come true. It’s more likely that Franklin could get a crack at the title he once held, if someone other than Anderson Silva was champion. Yushin Okami, remains a top 10 middleweight, but with all the new contenders and the way he was dominated by Anderson Silva, don’t expect him to be fighting for the belt anytime soon unless there is a new champion. Same goes with Chael Sonnen, who I still regard as the second best middleweight. If he chooses to stay in the middleweight division and puts together a good win streak, and there is a new champion, he would be right up there to contending for the belt again. The middleweight division certainly is getting exciting, and there is few up and comers as well who could be future contenders soon in Francis Carmont, Costa Philippou, and Ronny Markes. If the UFC could sign Mamed Khalidov, it would bring in an instant contender into the division. Thales Leites, Antonio Braga Neto, Michael Materla, and Ryo Kawamura would be nice additions to further spice up the division. 

 I will be putting out matchups to make in the middleweight division following UFC 149’s results!