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#10 Middleweight
Current champion: Robert Whittaker
Predicted champion: Robert Whittaker
Aussie sensation Robert Whittaker first claimed the UFC Middleweight title at UFC 213 back in 2017 with a win over Yoel Romero, and his last fight saw him overcome the giant Cuban again to hold onto his crown in one of the best battles of 2018. And honestly, I don’t see a Middleweight on the horizon capable of toppling ‘The Reaper’ in 2019.
Whittaker is set to defend his title against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 in February, but given that he’s fighting at home in Australia against a smaller 185lber, I can’t see him having too many difficulties. And outside of Gastelum, he’s already beaten the top-ranked Jacare Souza as well as Romero; Luke Rockhold is moving to 205lbs and Chris Weidman looks way past his best now.
Whittaker’s biggest challenge could be in the form of another man from Down Under. Israel Adesanya could claim a title shot should he beat Anderson Silva at UFC 234. However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ doesn’t look quite ready for the challenge of Whittaker just yet, and so I’m confident in saying that I think Whittaker will hold onto his crown into 2020.
#9 Welterweight
Current champion: Tyron Woodley
Predicted champion: Kamaru Usman
Tyron Woodley has held the UFC Welterweight title since July 2016, and despite earning the wrath of UFC President Dana White, he’s been a very consistent champ since, defending his title on 4 occasions including an impressive win over Darren Till in September. Going into 2019, he has two clear-cut challengers; Colby Covington and Kamaru Usman.
Recent reports suggest Usman is set to fight for “the title” at UFC 235 regardless of Woodley’s status, but personally I’m not buying that and I suspect we’ll see Woodley defend against Covington there instead. I’d take Woodley to win that one, but I can’t see him getting past Usman when they eventually clash.
For me Usman is the best 170lber on the planet right now; he’s got a huge frame with a long reach, his wrestling game is largely unparalleled in the division, and his striking has improved by leaps and bounds.
Woodley has been a great champion, but Usman is younger, hungrier and he hasn’t had the injuries that ‘The Chosen One’ has. I don’t see Usman losing in the foreseeable future and I think 2019 ends with him holding the crown at 170lbs.
