UFC Middleweight Division Matchmaker

The UFC middleweight division is red hot at the moment. With a questionable figure standing at the helm, plenty of potential next contenders and a number of up and comers rising the ranks, there are plenty of intersting fights to make.

There is a clear shift in the division from past stars in Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker all either moving division or far past their best. The current crop of middleweights are hungry, skilled and importantly willing to fight each other.

Let's play matchmaker for the UFC middleweight division.

UFC Middleweight Division - Matchmaker

Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis 3

It's the fight to make for the title. The two have had two interesting, competative fights and still, after 50 minutes and 10 rounds in the octagon, the beef and bad blood still boils under the surface.

As the champion, Strickland has to fight any and all comers. Can his ego allow him to not face the man who has beaten him twice? Now that DDP is back in the win column with a dominant victory over a former champion, the fight makes a lot more sense.

Book the fight - soon (and make it in South Africa).

Nassordine Imavov vs Joe Pyfer

It's tough for Nassordine Imavov. With six straight victories and sitting at #3, the Frenchman is more than deserving of a title shot. The issue with Imavov is, the UFC simply don't fancy him. He should have been the man who stepped in there against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, however, Strickland got the nod.

Joe Pyfer is on a similar tear. The American rebounded from his first promotional loss with a stunning run, catapulting him into #4 in the division. He's put together a run of four straight, including three finishes with three performance bonuses. Last time out a knockout of Adesanya allowed him to make a huge statement. He's ready for the big time and Imavov would provide him a significant platform.

Brendan Allen vs Bo Nickal

Although Brendan Allen is more than deserving of a shot at someone higher than him in the rankings, it's clear that he isn't phased by fighting someone lower ranked fighters to keep busy. He beat Reinier de Ridder via TKO back in October, banishing him from the division. He then went on to dominate Edmen Shahbazyan in a fight of the night in June. He needs a huge name and statement win to put his name in the hat and Bo Nickal will provide just that.

Bo Nickal is still on the comeback trail after his devestating first career loss in 2025. With that being said, a third round knockout via headkick and a first round TKO on The White House lawn has allowed him to gain some much needed momentum. He's set for a huge push now and at 30, it's time to release the handbrake on Nickal and give him a shot at the top five of the UFC middleweight division.

Israel Adesanya vs Christian Leroy Duncan

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is on a horrific run of form. After dominating for such a long time, finishing fights, dominating over 25 minutes and stealing headlines whenever he fought, Adesanya was a megastar. Lately, however, he's 1-5 in his last six. He's lost four straight and lost his last three via finish. Without a win since 2023, The Last Stylebender has decided a move of gyms was on the cards, something he recently announced.

Christian Leroy Duncan recently extended his winning run to five straight with a huge win over Jared Cannonier via decision. The Brit is a striking delight, throws inventive shots and is spiteful when he does so. He can mix the martial arts but the striking realm is where he prefers life. He deserves a big fight next and Adesanya could provide the big step up he deserves.