5 UFC weight classes in need of new contenders

#4. UFC middleweight division

The middleweight division is in a strange place right now. Israel Adesanya holds the title and has defeated every contender who has tried to take it from him. Most recently, it was Robert Whittaker who came up short in a competitive five-round fight in February.

Israel Adesanya v Robert Whittaker 2

However, Whittaker appears to be a relatively clear second-best fighter in the division. He has already defeated the next No.1 contender, Jared Cannonier, while Adesanya has comfortably taken care of Marvin Vettori, Derek Brunson, and Paulo Costa. This leaves Sean Strickland as the only top-five middleweight to have not lost to either man.

Outside of Nassourdine Imavov, and perhaps Andre Muniz, there aren't any other rising contenders who could truly break into the top five and make a run at the title. Adesanya has already begun to lap the division, and unless there is a sudden influx of talent at middleweight, we could begin to see stagnation in the very near future.

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#3. UFC welterweight division

Current welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has now got to the point where he is lapping the top contenders in his division. 'The Nigerian Nightmare' already has two wins over both Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal. He also holds individual wins over Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns.

The UFC appears to be banking on Khamzat Chimaev overcoming Burns in their upcoming fight and establishing himself as the new top contender. However, for the time being, all reports indicate that Leon Edwards will rematch Usman later in the year.

The upcoming fight between Vicente Luque and Belal Muhammad could produce a new contender, although it is likely the winner will still have to defeat a top-ranked opponent such as Colby Covington to place themselves in the title picture.

Israel Adesanya v Marvin Vettori 2