5 blockbuster fights to book in the UFC middleweight division

#4. Jack Hermansson vs. Darren Till

Darren Till is currently ranked No.8 in the UFC middleweight division. Since moving up from welterweight, the Englishman has gone 1-2 in his new weight class. He has struggled to stay consistent at 185 lbs and is coming off back-to-back defeats to Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson.

However, there are some important factors to consider while discussing Till's recent struggles. The fight against Whittaker was a razor-thin affair. Additionally, it was well-documented that the Brit was injured going into his bout against Brunson.

At just 29, Till is just now entering the prime of his career. On his day, he is one of the most lethal strikers on the UFC roster. He will be eager to return to winning ways in 2022. Considering the question marks surrounding his takedown defense, a suitable test for 'The Gorilla' is No.7-ranked Jack Hermansson.

Hermansson has also endured a turbulent run at 185 lbs of late. The Scandinavian is 2-3 in his last five fights. In his most recent bout, he succumbed to a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland. 'The Joker' has seemingly hit his ceiling and has emerged as a gatekeeper to the top 5 in the middleweight division. On his day, the grappling phenom is a tough outing for anyone.

A fight against Darren Till, who is predominantly a striker, would be ideal for Hermansson. Interestingly, they were scheduled to lock horns in 2020, but the fight fell through.

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#3. Paulo Costa vs. Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland is riding a six-fight winning streak in the UFC middleweight division. 'Tarzan' picked up wins over the likes of Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko and Uriah Hall to break into the top 10. He was subsequently booked to fight Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 47, where he came out on top.

Following his unanimous decision victory over Hermansson, the polarizing American claimed the No.6 spot in the rankings. He will likely need a win over a top 5 fighter before competing for the title.

Paulo Costa is a potential candidate. The No.4-ranked Brazilian is coming off back-to-back losses to Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori. He is in desperate need of a win if he is to re-enter the title picture at 185 lbs.

A fight between Costa and Sean Strickland will unquestionably be a barnburner. Both fighters pride themselves on their striking prowess and they're rarely seen shooting for takedowns. Additionally, they're both insanely durable and love to push the pace.