# Who is the greatest UFC middleweight champion of all time?

> Record-breaking reigns, shocking upsets, and the full spectrum of the 185-pound title lineage. Who's your middleweight GOAT?

*By YPB Team · Published May 8, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-greatest-ufc-middleweight-champion-of-all-time*

---

## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Anderson Silva**
   The undisputed UFC middleweight GOAT, who held the title for a record 2,457 days with 10 consecutive defenses against elite challengers.
2. **Israel Adesanya**
   The kickboxing prodigy turned UFC middleweight king, who held the title across multiple reigns with his unorthodox striking and elite game-planning.
3. **Robert Whittaker**
   Two-time middleweight champion known for his relentless pressure and iron chin, who rebounded from adversity to reclaim the belt.
4. **Chris Weidman**
   The wrestler who ended Anderson Silva's legendary reign by landing a knockout in 2013, becoming an unexpected but dominant champion.
5. **Michael Bisping**
   British legend who became champion at 37 years old with a stunning knockout of Luke Rockhold and the first UK UFC champion.
6. **Luke Rockhold**
   Former Strikeforce champion who dominated the UFC middleweight division in 2015-16 with elite grappling and long-range striking.
7. **Georges St-Pierre**
   Welterweight GOAT who moved up to win the middleweight title in 2017 after a four-year retirement, becoming a rare two-division champion.
8. **Dricus du Plessis**
   South African knockout artist who captured the middleweight belt in 2024 with back-to-back wins over Adesanya and Whittaker.
9. **Sean Strickland**
   Controversial contender who shocked the world by outpointing Adesanya to claim the middleweight title in a decisive upset decision.
10. **Rich Franklin**
   The former champion and longtime contender who defeated Evan Tanner and made three title defenses before Anderson Silva's era began.

Tags: usa, sports, players, boxing, legends