The middleweight division is currently controlled by Michael Bisping but this is a top-heavy division with a number of capable challengers. Bisping surprised Luke Rockhold last year to win the title at UFC 199 and he has defended his title once as he beat Dan Henderson at UFC 204. There are a number of challengers lined up to take on Bisping including Yoel Romero who will get his chance once Bisping has recovered from injury. Let’s look at MMA power rankings for the middleweight division.
Bet on UFC at BookMaker.eu
Middleweight MMA Power Rankings
1. Michael Bisping (30-7)
Bisping knocked out Rockhold to win the title last year and then Bisping defended that title with a less than inspiring win against Henderson. Bisping is reportedly going to be out of action for a while as he recovers from surgery. He should be back sometime in May or June.
2. Joel Romero (12-1)
The top challenger to Bisping is Romero but he is going to have to wait to get his title shot. All Romero has done since coming to the UFC is win as he is 8-0. He was very impressive last time out in a win over Chris Weidman at UFC 205. It would not be a surprise if Romero took over the top spot in the rankings some time during 2017.
3. Luke Rockhold (15-3)
It may be awhile before we see Rockhold in action as he has a torn ACL in his left knee. Rockhold should get a future title shot but it may not come until later in 2017.
4. Ronaldo Souza (23-4)
With two of the top three in the middleweight division out of action due to injury, Souza is in the spotlight. He will take on Tim Boetsch at UFC 208 on February 11 in New York.
5. Chris Weidman (13-2)
Weidman has definitely slipped in the past year and he is facing a career moment at UFC 210 in April as he takes on Gegard Mousasi.
6. Gegard Mousasi (41-6-2)
He is coming off a win against Uriah Hall in November and if he can get past Weidman at UFC 210 then Mousasi just might get close to another title shot.
7. Robert Whittaker (17-4)
Whittaker has won his last six fights but his level of competition has been weak. It is time for Whittaker to get a fight against one of the big boys to show he can challenge for the top spot in this division.
8. Kelvin Gastelum (13-2)
Gastelum is coming off a win against Tim Kennedy at UFC 206. He will be going up against Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 in March.
9. Vitor Belfort (25-13)
Belfort has dropped three of his last four fights including his last two so the bout against Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 106 is of huge importance.
10. Derek Brunson (16-4)
He is coming off a loss to Whittaker in November. He will get a chance to get bounce back as he takes on Anderson Silva at UFC 208 on February 11th.
Middleweight Division Notes
This division could see a lot of changes in 2017. Bisping is the current champion but there are a lot of worthy contenders. Romero is the obvious choice to take the title next but it would not be a surprise to see Rockhold get back on top and you can’t rule out Souza, Weidman, Mousasi or even Whittaker. There are a lot of Top 10 matches in the middleweight division already on the schedule. Souza takes on Boetsch at UFC 208, Weidman takes on Mousasi at UFC 210, Gastelum takes on Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 and Brunson takes on Silva at UFC 208.
Also worth watching in 2017 in the middleweight division will be Johny Hendricks who is moving into the division. He takes on Hector Lombard at UFC Halifax in February. And don’t forget about Krzysztof Jotko who has won his last fight fights.
How to Bet
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today.
