5 fighters most likely to challenge for the UFC Middleweight title in 2018

2017 ended with a flurry of activity in the UFC's middleweight division. One of the greatest ever to step foot inside the Octagon, Georges 'Rush' St Pierre, returned after a 4-year hiatus, in a weight class above his own and defeated the then champion, Michael Bisping to become the Middleweight Champion.

What followed was what many fans expected; GSP vacated the title and Robert 'The Reaper' Whittaker was promoted from Interim Middleweight Champion to the undisputed champion. With his first title defense scheduled against Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 in his home country of Australia, let's have a look at five other middleweights who are most likely to fight for the belt in 2018.

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#5 Derek Brunson

#8 Contender, Derek Brunson (9-3 UFC)

Derek Brunson isn't the first name that would come to mind when discussing potential contenders but he is quietly putting in the work and rising up the ranks to pose a challenge for the champion.

He is currently on a 2-fight win streak having viciously knocked out Dan Kelly and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto Machida, in the first round. His last loss was a controversial decision against Anderson Silva but his stock is rising ever since.

His next fight is against the dangerous Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza on January 27th and a win there would certainly help his cause.

#4 Chris Weidman

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman (10-3 UFC)

Former Middleweight Champion and current #5 contender, Chris Weidman, picked up his first victory in nearly 2 years since losing the title when he defeated Kelvin Gastelum in July 2017 halting a 3 fight losing streak.

The 'All- American' still remains a contender in the crowded Middleweight space and another win in 2018 will surely propel him back into the title picture.

#3 Jacare Souza

#4 Contender Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza (7-2 UFC)

Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and one of the best BJJ practitioners in MMA, Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza has been a perennial contender for the Middleweight Championship but has ended up losing matched at crucial moments costing him a shot at glory.

His last match ended in defeat against current Champion, Robert Whittaker, and he will be eager to get another shot at him should he successfully defend against Rockhold at UFC 221.

Jacare is scheduled to face Derek Brunson next. Should he win that event, he might end up having to face another top opponent before he is awarded a title shot.

#2 Yoel Romero

#1 Contender Yoel 'Soldier of God' Romero (8-1 UFC)

Yoel 'Soldier of God' Romero is one of the best Middleweights in the world in MMA and has been in the top-5 rankings for quite some time in UFC. He was supposed to challenge Michael Bisping after Henderson but Bisping's injuries and him losing the interim title to Whittaker has dashed his plans to hold aloft the championship.

He has defeated nearly every top middleweight in the UFC (barring Whittaker) and should Rockhold go on to win the title, Romero is in with a realistic shot of finally fighting for the undisputed championship.

He is scheduled to face former WSOF Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, David Branch on 24th February.

#1 Kelvin Gastelum

#6 Contender Kelvin Gastelum (10-1(1) UFC)

Kelvin Gastelum has been rising quickly through the Middleweight ranks and has become a household name as far as the championship contenders are concerned. At Middleweight, he has notable victories against Nate Marquardt, Tim Kennedy, Vitor Belfort (later overturned to a no-contest) and Michael Bisping.

A win against the higher-ranked Bisping led to him being labeled as one of the top contenders. There were arguments as to whether Rockhold deserved the title shot over Gastelum with Gastelum himself proclaiming that the champion took the 'easy road' in the form of Rockhold.

While we can debate who deserved the title shot, Gastelum is definitely one to watch out for in 2018.