Best Of Updated 15 July 2026

Best Middleweight Fighters to Watch Right Now (2026)

The middleweight division has rarely been this stacked — a dominant new champion, a former champion clawing back toward a rematch, and a welterweight legend gambling his legacy on a second belt. Here are the fighters worth following right now, starting with the two headlining this Saturday’s card in Oklahoma City, free to watch live.

Khamzat Chimaev

The reigning UFC middleweight champion, unbeaten in the promotion, who took the belt off Dricus Du Plessis in a one-sided grappling clinic at UFC 319.

Undefeated across his entire UFC run
Elite wrestling and top control few in the division can escape
Beat a reigning champion to take the title

Why we recommend it

There's no bigger question in the division than whether anyone can stop the takedowns — every Chimaev fight is a live audition for the answer.

What we disliked

The suffocating grappling pace isn't for highlight-hunters, and his history of weight-cut and health issues has forced fights off the calendar before.

Dricus Du Plessis

The former champion, No. 2 ranked, headlining UFC Oklahoma City this Saturday against Kamaru Usman on the road back to a title shot.

Relentless, awkward volume striking that wears opponents down late
Wins over three former UFC champions
Has never lost back-to-back fights in his career

Why we recommend it

Few fighters make finishes look as scrappy and entertaining doing it — he's must-watch even in a loss.

What we disliked

Takedown defense has been a real vulnerability against elite wrestlers, and it's exactly what cost him the title.

Kamaru Usman

The former two-time-defended welterweight champion, now 39, taking one more run at gold in a second division against Du Plessis this week.

One of the greatest welterweight title reigns ever — five defenses
Elite wrestling pedigree moving up in weight
Snapped a three-fight skid with a statement win over Joaquin Buckley

Why we recommend it

A two-division title run at 39 would rewrite his legacy — genuinely compelling stakes.

What we disliked

Age and a rough stretch (back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards, then Chimaev) raise real questions about how much is left.

Also Worth a Look

#	Site	Note
4	Christian Leroy Duncan	No. 12 and unbeaten in the UFC across four fights — faces Jared Cannonier this Saturday with a top-10 spot on the line.
5	Jared Cannonier	Former title challenger in his 12th UFC year, still capable of ending a fight with one shot.
6	Sean Strickland	Two-fight loser to Du Plessis in title fights, but still one of the division's most dangerous strikers and biggest personalities.
7	Robert Whittaker	Two-time former champion whose split-decision loss to Du Plessis in 2023 built the road to the title picture the division is still working through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the current UFC middleweight champion?

Khamzat Chimaev, who beat Dricus Du Plessis by decision at UFC 319 in August 2025 to take the title.

Who is next in line for a middleweight title shot?

The winner of Du Plessis vs Usman this Saturday in Oklahoma City is the clearest path to the front of the queue.

Is Kamaru Usman moving to middleweight permanently?

He's coming up from welterweight for this fight specifically. A win over Du Plessis would put a full-time move to 185lbs firmly on the table.

Where can I watch this week's middleweight card?

Du Plessis vs Usman headlines UFC Oklahoma City on Saturday 18 July — our full how-to-watch guide, including a free stream, is on the site.