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In the coming weeks, the UFC's middleweight division will be taking center stage. In fact, the next two UFC events are headlined by bouts at 185 lbs. With a lot to look forward to in this weight class, there are a number of fights on your radar.
Some of these bouts may be more obvious to fight fans. There are currently four fights scheduled between ranked fighters in the division. Understandably they will draw a lot of attention. However, there is also some unranked action at middleweight that deserves your attention.
With names like Israel Adesanya, Derek Brunson, Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker all scheduled to fight, the middleweight division is set for a big few weeks. With two main events, a co-main event, a title fight and a potential number one contender fight, there is something in store for everyone.
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Here are five UFC middleweight fights to look forward to:
#5. Punahele Soriano vs. Nick Maximov - UFC fight night 200
While these two may not be the favorites of the majority of UFC fans just yet, they are big-time prospects in the middleweight division. The fact that both men will be competing in the co-main event, and neither are over 30, speaks volumes as to how highly regarded they are.
Nick Maximov is a name to watch. Fighting out of the Nick Diaz Academy, the 24-year-old is undefeated throughout both his amateur and professional MMA careers. He scored a unanimous win in his UFC debut and getting another win would cement him as a future star.
Punahele Soriana suffered the first defeat of his career to Brendan Allen. He is a little more experienced, however, with three UFC fights under his belt and one in the contender series.
It will be interesting to see which of these two prospects come on top when they fight on February 5.
#4. Kevlin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov - UFC 273
Kelvin Gastelum is a UFC veteran at this point in his career despite only being 30 years old. His opponent, the 25-year-old Nassourdine Imavov is much more of a newcomer but has managed to get himself into the rankings after just four fights with the promotion.
Gastelum has lost five of his last six fights and is in need of a big win to get his career back on track. With that being said, these losses have all come against the elite of the division and Imavov is yet to be tested at that level.
Imavov trains at the MMA factory in France, the same gym where Ciryl Gane fights out of. While he is early on in his career, his most recent win over Edmen Shahbazyan has many tipping him for big things.
These two exciting ranked fighters compete at UFC 273 and the winner will set themselves up for some big fights later in 2022.
#3. Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland - UFC fight night 200
On February 5, the middleweight co-main event will be followed by another 185 lbs in the main event. This fight, pitting the no.6 against the no.7 in the division, is an important one at middleweight and is also sure to be an exciting clash of styles.
Jack Hermansson is known for his grappling prowess, with three of his last five victories coming via submission. Sean Strickland is more of a brawler and while he may be newer to the top ten rankings, he has more momentum as he is currently riding a five-fight winning streak.
The fight will provide a big test for Strickland, but should he win, he will begin to enter the title conversation. If it goes the other way, Hermansson will begin to put together a bit of a role and will likely earn a big name in his next bout.
#2. Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson - UFC 271
This fight at UFC 271 may very well prove to be the number one contender's bout in the division. The pair are ranked no. 3 and no. 4 respectively and have only one loss in their last ten fights combined. Whoever can win here will put themselves in a great position to challenge for the middleweight title.
Jared Cannonier is a higher-ranked fighter but is on less of a roll having lost to Robert Whittaker in October 2020. However, he has never faced Israel Adesanya previously, which makes him a more appealing matchup for the current champion should the belt not change hands.
Derek Brunson has five straight wins since his loss to Adesanya and appears to be in the best form of his career. A win for him could easily set him up for a title shot as he has progressed from 'gatekeeper' of the division into a legitimate threat.
#1. Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker II - UFC 271
A title fight is always the biggest bout in any division and things will be no different on February 12 when the title is on the line. Israel Adesanya will fight Robert Whittaker in a rematch of a bout we first saw back in 2019.
The fact Whittaker has had to earn his way back into a title fight has heightened people's interest. He has produced three impressive victories and has proven himself to be the best fighter in the division outside the current champ.
However, the last fight was rather one-sided and Whittaker will have to produce a much better performance this time around. Adesanya has continued to look sensational at middleweight but perhaps his light heavyweight fight provided his future opponent with a route to victory. We will find out on February 12.
