'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya
Trending
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has brought excitement to the division since joining the promotion. His charismatic personality and fighting style has made him one of the biggest stars in the promotion. He continues to evolve and is closing in on Anderson Silva's promotional record for most middleweight title defenses.
'The Last Stylebender' challenged then light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz last year, but was unsuccessful in becoming a double champion. Wrestling was a big factor in the fight and led to Blachowicz earning a unanimous decision win. It was the first and only career loss for Adesanya and a valuable learning experience.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Should he return to 205 lbs and attempt to capture the light heavyweight throne again, he might have more success this time around. He gained experience competing at 205 lbs and was able to deal with Blachowicz's power. Adesanya could be more motivated to challenge Jiri Prochazka in the future as he's a better stylistic matchup.
#1. Former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa would be an excellent addition to the light heavyweight division. He hasn't had the best of luck as he is on a two-fight losing skid. In his most recent bout with Marvin Vettori, he failed to make weight for the middleweight showdown. The bout was then contested at light heavyweight, where Vettori earned a unanimous decision win and 20% of Costa's fighter purse.
Based on 'Borrachinha's struggles to make weight, a move to light heavyweight would allow him to focus solely on his bout. He won't have to deal with the added pressure of cutting weight, which could lead to much better performances inside the octagon. Prior to his losing skid, he had an undefeated 13-0 MMA record that included wins against Uriah Hall and Yoel Romero.
Costa would be a threat to everyone in the top-5. He is naturally more suited for 205 lbs and could be a lot stronger without cutting the extra weight. 'Borrachinha' has knockout power and is a black-belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well.
