UFC Predictions: 5 marquee middleweight fights on the horizon

Under the dominant rule of Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight division has seemingly stagnated in recent years. Adesanya has cleaned out the top tier of the division, but has a dangerous opponent ahead of him as he gears up for his sixth title defense.

Top-ranked middleweights across the rankings have now been matched up and the pecking order in the 185-pound weight class is set to undergo a few shuffles over the next few months.

Here are our predictions for five marquee middleweight bouts on the horizon.

#5. Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa

Robert Whittaker has firmly established himself as the second-best middleweight on the roster. Like the reigning champion, Whittaker also holds wins over multiple top-ranked contenders. However, his two losses to Israel Adesanya have seen 'The Reaper' stuck in the No.1 spot in the rankings for the last few years.

He will return to action at UFC 284 in Perth, where he is set to square off against fellow former title challenger Paulo Costa.

Costa has also come up short against Adesanya. The Brazilian has looked pretty good since his failed championship bid, pushing Marvin Vettori to the limit in their five-round war before defeating former champion Luke Rockhold earlier this year.

Whittaker vs. Costa will more than likely turn out to be a kickboxing fight, as both middleweights have excellent takedown defense and rarely attempt offensive wrestling. In the striking department, Whittaker is a world-class technician while Costa is more of a marauder.

Whittaker has already outpointed the likes of Yoel Romero, Darren Till, Jared Cannonier, Kelvin Gastelum and Marvin Vettori, most of which were five-round main events. In this three-round bout against Costa, expect the affable Aussie to cruise to yet another decision win.

Our Pick: Robert Whittaker via unanimous decision

#4. Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov

On the first UFC Fight Night of 2023, former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum will square off against surging up-and-comer Nassourdine Imavov in the main event. Gastelum occupies the No.11 spot in the middleweight rankings, with Imavov just one spot behind him.

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Since his loss to Israel Adesanya back in 2019, Kelvin Gastelum has struggled for consistency. He has now lost five of his last six bouts and is riding a two-fight losing skid. At his best, the Mexican-American is a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced in his memorable back-and-forth barnburner with the middleweight king.

His next opponent, Nassourdine Imavov, secured the biggest win of his career when he defeated Joaquin Buckley at UFC Paris in front of his campatriots. The Frenchman is riding a three-fight win streak and remains one of the most promising prospects at 185 pounds.

Still just 26, he has a lot to improve on. In his last fight against Buckley, he gassed out in the third round and looked vulnerable in the striking exchanges. Imavov has notably never been in a five-round fight, while the ever-durable Gastelum has tons of experience, having already headlined six UFC cards.

Experience and cardio will likely play a huge role in this one. As such, a decision victory for Gastelum, despite both fighters' contrasting runs of form, appears to be the likeliest outcome.

Our Pick: Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision

#3. Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland

After finally securing a title shot earlier this year, Jared Cannonier produced a disappointing display against the reigning champion. 'Tha Killa Gorilla' was defensively very strong against Israel Adesanya, but struggled to mount any offense.

Cannonier will look to return to winning ways when he takes on Sean Strickland in the final UFC event of 2022.

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Strickland is also coming off a loss. The controversial middleweight was viciously knocked out by Alex Pereira in his last outing, snapping an impressive six-fight win streak. Like Cannonier, he too needs a win to return to title contention.

Both Strickland and Cannonier largely prefer striking affairs and this headlining matchup is most likely set to play out on the feet. 'Tha Killa Gorilla' undoubtedly has more power than his counterpart, who typically attacks with volume and accuracy.

This one could go either way. Strickland's ability to frustrate his opponents with his distance management, jab and forward pressure could prove to be pivotal in this matchup. However, against a powerful puncher like Cannonier, Strickland could walk straight onto a fight-ending blow.

Our Pick: Jared Cannonier via fifth-round TKO

#2. Darren Till vs. Dricus du Plessis

After compiling a stellar unblemished professional record to earn a welterweight title shot back in 2018, Darren Till's career has taken a downward spiral. The Englishman has lost four of his last five fights.

Till has long been regarded as a championship caliber fighter, but injuries have stunted his growth. Stlil just 29, the Liverpool native has a long way to go and will look to return to winning ways when he takes on Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282.

Till is clearly a world-class fighter and a genuine threat to the title. His razor-close decision loss to Robert Whittaker, which essentially came down to a fifth-round takedown by 'The Reaper', showcased what he's capable of against the divisional elite.

His next opponent is also very highly touted. A former two-division EFC champion, du Plessis has enjoyed a scintillating start to his UFC career. The South African has a kill-or-be-killed mentality inside the cage, with all but one of his 19 professional fights going to a decision.

Till has to be very careful against du Plessis, who will be highly motivated to add a big name to his resumé. The Brit clearly has the skills to outpoint his counterpart, but whether he's coming into this fight healthy remains an unknown.

Assuming he's in-and-around 100% physically prepared, a decision win for 'The Gorilla' looks likely.

Our Pick: Darren Till via unanimous decision

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#1. Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira – UFC middleweight championship bout

In one of the most intriguing and exciting middleweight championship fights in UFC history, divisional kingpin Israel Adesanya will take on former kickboxing rival Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Pereira owns a pair of wins over Adesanya in kickboxing. His second victory over 'The Last Stylebender' was a brutal knockout, the only KO of Adesanya's storied professional combat sports career. The Nigerian-born Kiwi will look to exact his revenge this weekend.

UFC 281 main event [Image via @diaztwinsmma on Instagram]

Their two prior kickboxing fights provide great insight into their upcoming MMA title fight. Alex Pereira, one of the hardest-punchers across combat sports, has tremendous power irrespective of which of his many weapons he chooses to use.

Aptly nicknamed 'Po Atan', which translates to 'Stone Hand', Pereira boasts a jaw-dropping highlight reel brimming with unbelievable knockouts. Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya's lack of one-punch knockout power has made him a technically sound fighter with impeccable fight IQ.

In both their kickboxing fights, with the exception of the knockout in the second bout, Adesanya thoroughly outclassed his Brazilian counterpart. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that this was under a different ruleset. The role of the cage and small MMA gloves, relative to the ropes and massive gloves in kickboxing, cannot be discounted.

Pereira, especially with the tiny UFC gloves, is a huge threat to the defending champion's reign. Adesanya cannot afford a single slip-up in his upcoming title defense, and if he manages to do so, expect another striking masterclass.

Poetic justice is on the table heading into this mouthwatering matchup, and it's upto 'The Last Stylebender' to seize this chance at redemption.

Our Pick: Israel Adesanya via fifth-round TKO

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