Rankings Week over at HeavyMMA.com continues with a look at the top middleweights in the world of mixed martial arts.
The UFC’s middleweight king finally has a new opponent, and it’ll be Yushin Okami drawing the short straw to face Silva at UFC 134 in August. The rest of the division will see a sea change over the summer, as top contender Nate Marquardt vacates the division to move down to welterweight while banished superstar Chael Sonnen will return to action, likely against Michael Bisping. It’s an interesting time to be a UFC middleweight.
1. Anderson Silva
Silva’s next opponent has been named, and it’s not Georges St. Pierre. Despite Dana White’s insistence that Silva would face GSP if St. Pierre beats Shields next weekend, it appears that Yushin Okami, instead, will get the next title shot. Okami presents the same kind of challenges for Silva that training partner Chael Sonnen did — namely his wrestling. That fight headlines UFC Rio in August.2. Chael Sonnen
Sonnen goes before the Nevada State Athletic Commission to apply for a fighter and cornerman’s license next week. If the bid is successful, Sonnen will likely coach The Ultimate Fighter 14 against Michael Bisping. If it’s not, Sonnen will still likely coach The Ultimate Fighter 14, but the UFC will have to be creative in how they handle it.
