'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2 Gegard Mousasi
A pioneer and veteran of the sport, the former Bellator Middleweight Champion Gegard Mousasi's MMA career is a stuff of legends. A veteran of 55 professional MMA fights, Mousasi has fought and defeated the best in the world in numerous weight divisions. In his earlier days, Gegard Mousasi used to compete in the Light-Heavyweight division and occasionally at Middleweight as well on Pride FC, Dream FC and Strikeforce. He also won the Dream Light-Heavyweight title, the Strikeforce Light-Heavyweight title and the Dream Middleweight title.
Upon signing with the UFC in the year 2013, Mousasi settled down in the UFC's Middleweight division where he began to wreak havoc and defeated one top-contender after the other. In his UFC Middleweight campaign, Gegard Mousasi defeated elite competition and former champions such as Mark Munoz, Chris Weidman, Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson. However, despite his best efforts, he was unable to secure a title shot which also led to his dispute with the UFC and his subsequent departure from the organisation.
Mousasi made the move to Bellator where in merely 2 fights he became the Middleweight Champion and later on defended his title against the Bellator Welterweight Champion, Rory MacDonald. Gegard Mousasi has since lost his title to Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 223, but continues to be the top-contender at the Bellator Middleweight division and possibly next in line for a title shot.
Despite having won various titles in different weight classes, Gegard Mousasi unlocked his true potential at Middleweight and has since then established himself as one of the best Middleweight fighters in the world today.
#1 Daniel Cormier
At the top of our rankings is the former Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion of the UFC, Danier "DC" Cormier. It is a common misconception amongst fans that DC is a natural Light-Heavyweight who moved up to Heavyweight to challenge for the title.
In reality however, DC is and has always been a natural Heavyweight all throughout his wrestling and MMA career and made the move down to Light-Heavyweight when he signed with UFC, possibly to avoid a collision course with his long time friend and training partner, Cain Velasquez.
DC started his career at the Heavyweight division in Strikeforce where he was a long time champion and undefeated in 11 pro fights. DC fought his first 2 fights in the UFC at Heavyweight as well wherein he defeated Frank Mir and Roy Nelson, before finally making the cut to Light-Heavyweight at UFC 170.
DC's exploits at the Light-Heavyweight division is known to every fan of the sport. Having only lost once to Jon Jones, DC went on to become the champion at 205 lbs, and also defended his title 3 times against Anthony Johnson, Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustaffson. Cormier eventually moved back to Heavyweight to fight the champion Stipe Miocic, whom he defeated to win the title, and has since then, settled down in the Heavyweight division.
Daniel Cormier is the finest example of a fighter who dropped a weight class and absolutely dominated the division. Despite it being a tough and brutal cut for him, DC shone at Light-Heavyweight and established himself as one of the best fighters ever to compete in the division and the sport as well.
