5 UFC middleweight fights to look forward to

#2. Jared Cannonier vs. Derek Brunson - UFC 271

Cannonier and Brunson (pictured) have a combined record of 37-12

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.

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#1. Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker II - UFC 271

Adesanya (pictured) and Whittaker have a combined record of 44-6

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.