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The UFC middleweight division at 185 pounds has produced some of the greatest champions and most memorable fights in MMA history — from Anderson Silva’s legendary decade-long reign to the current era led by Dricus du Plessis. Today the division is stacked with elite fighters, making it one of the most competitive weight classes in MMA.

UFC Middleweight Champion: Dricus du Plessis

Dricus du Plessis holds the UFC middleweight championship after a series of impressive victories, including defeats of Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. The South African fighter brings a powerful striking game combined with solid grappling and an extraordinary chin. Known as “DDP,” he carries himself with the confidence of a genuine champion and has shown the ability to work through adversity in close fights. He is the first South African-born UFC champion.

Top 5 UFC Middleweights

#1 Contender: Israel Adesanya

“The Last Stylebender” Israel Adesanya is a former middleweight champion who has held the title for multiple reigns. The Nigerian-New Zealand kickboxer’s combination of elite striking, range management, and striking IQ have produced some of the most technically impressive performances in UFC history. His wins over Robert Whittaker (twice), Paulo Costa, Jared Cannonier, and others define middleweight in the modern era. He lost the title to du Plessis and seeks to reclaim it.

#2: Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland stunned the MMA world in 2023 by defeating Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision to claim the middleweight title. His pressure-based, high-volume boxing style was perfectly suited to exploiting Adesanya’s tendency to coast in fights. Strickland’s chin, cardio, and relentless forward movement make him a nightmare matchup. He lost the title to du Plessis and remains a top contender.

#3: Robert Whittaker

“The Reaper” Robert Whittaker is one of the most decorated middleweights in UFC history. The Australian has been the UFC middleweight champion and has wins over Yoel Romero (twice), Jacare Souza, Darren Till, Marvin Vettori, and many others. His combination of boxing, clinch work, and wrestling makes him one of the most well-rounded middleweights ever. He remains a top contender for the title.

#4: Paulo Costa

“Borrachinha” Paulo Costa is one of the hardest punchers in the middleweight division. The Brazilian’s forward-pressure boxing style and physical conditioning produce crowd-pleasing fights. He challenged Adesanya for the title in 2020 and was stopped in the second round in a performance that revealed holes in his game, but his power and aggression keep him relevant in any title discussion.

#5: Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev is one of the most hyped fighters in recent UFC memory. The Swedish-Chechen fighter’s combination of elite wrestling, physical dominance, and finishing ability across both welterweight and middleweight make him a uniquely challenging matchup. His perfect record and dominant performances have him positioned as a potential future champion at either weight class.

Other Notable Middleweights

Jared Cannonier: A former top contender with devastating knockout power who challenged Adesanya for the title in 2022. His explosiveness and physicality make him dangerous to any middleweight.

Marvin Vettori: The Italian middleweight has been consistently ranked in the top 10, with multiple high-profile wins and a reputation as a pressure fighter who is extremely difficult to finish.

Gregory Rodrigues: A finishing machine who has been building an impressive record at middleweight with a series of TKO wins. A dangerous opponent for any of the ranked fighters above him.

The Anderson Silva Legacy

No discussion of the UFC middleweight division is complete without acknowledging Anderson Silva, who held the championship for a record-breaking 2,457 consecutive days with an unbeaten streak of 16 fights in the UFC. His performances during that run are widely considered the greatest in any single weight class in UFC history.

Every middleweight champion who followed — Weidman, Whittaker, Adesanya, Strickland, du Plessis — has had to be measured against that standard. The division’s legacy at 185 pounds is arguably the richest of any weight class in UFC history.