Top 5 UFC Middleweights To Watch Out In 2021
The current UFC Middleweight is arguably the most stacked division in the entire UFC Roster. Here's a look at some of the top prospects to capture the strap in 2021
Marvin Vettori
"The Italian Dream" Marvin Vettori is currently riding on a 5 fight win streak. He has a superb ground game and is a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Vettori has also improved his striking skills, training at Kings MMA along with legendary coach Rafael Cordero. He was set to take on Darren Till, which was supposed to be a no.1 contender fight for the Middleweight strap, but Till was forced to pull out due to collar injury. It will be interesting to note, if UFC reschedules this fight.
"After losing the Title to Adesanya at UFC 243, "The Riper" Robert Whittaker made an epic come back after eliminating top contenders by the likes of Darren Till and Jared Cannonier. The Riper is setting his sites at another Title run. But is one step away from another crack at Izzy as he is set to face the ever unpredictable Kelvin Gastelum on April 18. If Whittaker managed to pass Gastelum, it will undeniable that Whittaker is next for Izzy.
Robert Whittaker
Darren Till
The British "Gorilla" Darren Till has been the only fighter in the top 5 Middleweight rankings, Who has not yet shared the octagon with Israel Adesanya. Hence, Izzy is itching to give Till a shot at the title. But Till since coming up to Middleweight has been 1-1 and has not competed since July of 2020. However, Till has been one of the most fan favourite fighter and can move his way back up later this year.
Derek Brunson
Probably the most experienced Middleweight, Derek Brunson is 37 years old, but is still going strong. Since his loss to Adesanya in 2018, Brunson has managed to get his way back up and is currently riding on a 4 fight win streak, with wins over rising stars Kevin Holland and Edmen Shahbazyan. Brunson is now at a prime position moving forward in 2021.
Chris Weidman
The former Middleweight Champion, "The All American" Chris Wideman is widely known for his career defining moment of dethroning the GOAT Anderson Silva in 2013. But since 2016, Weidman has been on a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs. This has been mostly because Weidman has not been able to capitalize on the momentum after a win and has not won consecutive fights since 2015. So, now coming off an Incredible win over Omari Akhmedov in 2020, It will be interesting to see in 2021 that Wideman could keep the momentum going on his way or not.
Notable Mentions
Paulo Costa went through the Middleweight division as a storm, with his High Pressure and Powerful Striking along with wins over top contenders such as Romero, Hall and Hendricks gave Costa a title shot at UFC 253, but he didn't had any answer to Adesanya's Leg Kicks and surprisingly didn't threw as much punches as he usually does and gave a Adesanya a easy path to victory. So, It will interesting to see how Costa bounces back.