Middleweight

1. Anderson Silva (25-4)
The Last time Silva fought a fellow Brazilian, his bout with Thales Leites turned into a complete debacle. However, the MMA world seems far more receptive to this clash of countrymen, as Silva will defend his middleweight mantle against Vitor Belfort at UFC 108 on Jan. 2.

2. Nate Marquardt (29-8-2)
On the back of his scintillating knockout of Demian Maia, Marquardt became the popular choice for many fans and pundits alike to challenge Anderson Silva in a rematch for his middleweight crown. Now, it appears the fight Zuffa brass prefers for Marquardt is a de facto title eliminator against Dan Henderson later this year, provided Henderson inks a new deal with the company.

3. Yushin Okami (23-4)
Inopportune injuries have slowed Okami’s bid to earn a rematch with middleweight king Anderson Silva. A healthy Okami will have the chance to solidify himself as a top contender on Oct. 24 when he takes on Chael Sonnen at UFC 104 in Los Angeles.

4. Dan Henderson (25-7)
Henderson was adamant that he deserved another shot at Anderson Silva, who handed him his last loss in March 2008. However, it appears Henderson’s position has softened enough that both he and Zuffa expect the former Pride champion to sign a new UFC contract soon that would see him take on fellow top contender Nate Marquardt. The winner would get his chance to rematch Silva.

5. Demian Maia (11-1)
In a fight that could have earned him a crack at middleweight overlord Anderson Silva, Maia found out what competition is like at the top of the 185-pound division. Nate Marquardt blew him away with a single right hand in just 21 seconds at UFC 102.

6. Jorge Santiago (21-7)
Arguably the cruelest victim of Affliction’s promotional demise, Santiago may finally have himself a fight. After watching his slated August opponent, Vitor Belfort, main event a UFC, the Sengoku middleweight champion expects to return to action at Sengoku’s Nov. 7 show.

7. Vitor Belfort (19-8)
Many prefer Dan Henderson or Nate Marquardt as title contenders for Anderson Silva. Nonetheless, “The Phenom” is the chosen foil for “The Spider” in his next middleweight title defense at UFC 108.

8. Robbie Lawler (16-5, 1 NC)
Lawler appeared to be in control on the feet in his June 6 bout with Jake Shields. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was tapping out to a Shields guillotine choke, leaving his next move in Strikeforce’s middleweight division uncertain.

9. Chael Sonnen (23-10-1)
After grinding out a nice win over former International Fight League middleweight champion Dan Miller in May, Sonnen’s climb up the 185-pound ladder will only get more difficult. The Team Quest product will take on Yushin Okami at UFC 104 on Oct. 24.

10. Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1, 2 NC)
It was not his best performance, but Akiyama gritted through a split decision verdict over a game Alan Belcher at UFC 100 in July and has thrown himself into the UFC’s deepening middleweight mix.

Other contenders: Michael Bisping, Patrick Cote, Paulo Filho, Dan Miller, Kazuo Misaki.