Is Middleweight the toughest it's ever been?

[PSX]

Look at the top 5 guys:

Chris Weidman- MW Champ. Obviously a beast. Beat Anderson Silva twice

Vitor Belfort- Has been on a tear recently. 3 consecutive head kick finishes

Jacare Souza- 4 first round finishes in a row. Striking's really improved. World class ground game

Lyoto Machida- Moving down to MW has given him a new life. Looked tremendous against a Top 10 guy in Munoz

Gegard Mousasi- Hasn't fought at MW yet, but an interesting guy to watch for sure

Bisping/Rockhold/Munoz- They're a tier below elite at MW, but still solid fighters who can give anyone in the division a tough fight.

Anderson Silva- Throwing him out there just because. I don't think he'll ever hold the title again, but I'm confident that if he wants to return to fighting, he can still take out 90% of the division.

 

[EmeliankoFan1]

Yes, the MW division is now the toughest it has ever been.

Vitor, Machida, Wiedman, Jacare, Rockhold and etc...

It lost Silva which would have made the division a stronghold but its the toughest it has been.

 

[OliverAtom]

New guys Machida, Weidman and Jacare have made it interesting. Don't sleep on Mousasi too he's legit.

 

[KneetoLiver]

it has more big names now than it has ever had.

 

[Barret]

Hendo still around?

 

[Goodyroom]

thiers also moose

and in a few years brad Tavares, hes 26 with a UFC record of 6-1

 

[Goodyroom]

in my perfect scenario it would be like this

Weidman vs Belfort, Moose/Machida Winner vs champ
then Jacare(wins next fight) vs Bisping for next title fight

but timing is tough for this to come true

 

[Kneeuinthenutz]

It's by far the most stacked it's ever been.

Weidman has some serious work cut out for him.

Facing the likes of Belfort, Machida, Jacare, Rockhold, Mousasi, Bisping, Kennedy is going to be a very large challenge. There is a good chance that's where Hendo ends up too. I think Shogun ends up there by the mid 2014 also.

 

[PSX]

Completely forgot about Mousasi. He's up there as well.

 

[Victor]

maybe also Chael and Rashad.

also Mousasi of course, he can beat Machida

 

[Dionysian]

yes

 

[Magooglie]

I'd like to see Carmont fight a top 5 guy.

Edit: He's fighting Jacare. Nice!

 

[ectera]

It's completely stacked. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Belfort beats Weidman.

 

[Uchi Mata]

It's been stacked for a long time, it just didn't appear that way when Silva was dominating everyone. Divisions always look weaker when there's a dominant champ. People are saying LHW is weak right now, but it's just because Jones makes everyone look bad. Take him out of the picture and it's like a 4 way race for LHW champ, which is usually what people mean when they say a division is strong (lots of legit title contenders).

 

[jwikked]

I'll give me thoughts going off OP's post.

Weidman is incredible. Love his confidence and his ability. He'll be tough to beat
Belfort is looking amazing. If anyone can beat Weidman it's him. I can't wait for this fight - I just hope they don't make us wait 8 months for it.
Jacare Haven't seen much of him to be honest. Can't really comment.
Lyoto: Love where he is at the moment, didn't look super great against Hendo or Davis however. I'd love for him to have a good run at the title.. He deserves it.
Bisping can't be far off. He's a super fighter, he just falls at the last hurdle every time. I'd loved to have seen him against Silva 12 - 18 months ago. Needs to come back strong for me to consider him a chance.
Rockhold will suprise a few people I think. Looking at where Belfort is, it's not a huge deal losing there.. I dare say he'll be fighting for the title in the next 18 - 24 months.
Munoz I can't see him beating anyone top 5. If I was to be bold, I can see him slipping out of the top 10 in the next 12 - 18 months.


Quick edit for my man Sonnen, I think he can shake things up still.. He was getting overpowered at Lightweight as we all saw, but I wouldn't count him out at middleweight. Don't think he can beat Weidman however. I think Sonnen beating Silva is more likely than him beating Weidman.
At least where I'm concerned, Middleweight is fast becoming the most exciting weight class.

 

[Arkade]

Easily.

 

[Cosmahorio]

Def most stacked its been.

I don't know who I'll go for when Weidman - Machida fight.

 

[hto63]

absolutely

 

[Bubba Kid]

Give Larkin.a year. He'll be in the mix.

 

[moreorless87]

The key shift has been IMHO that LHW isn't drawing as much talent away from MW as it did in the past, you could argue its now stealing HW talent instead.

Whats more MW doesn't just have talent, it has exciting talent.