Predicting Every UFC Champion in 2019

---

Middleweight

Incumbent Champion: Robert Whittaker

Prediction: Whittaker beats Kelvin Gastelum in a war at UFC 234, and then loses the title to Israel Adesanya in the second half of the year.

Explanation: After the UFC did its best to sabotage the 185-pound division between UFC 199 and UFC 217 -- during which zero legitimate contenders fought for the “undisputed” title, before it was vacated by the last man standing in Georges St. Pierre -- middleweight is finally in a relatively healthy condition.

Ruling the weight class is Whittaker, who has yet to notch a legitimate defense on account of Yoel Romero’s ill-timed weight cut at UFC 225, and beneath him is a proverbial smorgasbord contenders, including former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo Souza and surging contenders Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa.

If all goes to plan -- and that’s a pretty big “if,” all things considered -- Whittaker will fight Gastelum in February in Melbourne, Australia, and whoever emerges the champion will next defend against the winner of the co-main event between former middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva and the aforementioned Adesanya.

I think “Bobby Knuckles” takes out Gastelum on the basis of his size advantage and fight IQ, whilst “The Last Stylebender” does what 29-year old phenoms are supposed to do to ageing legends. Following that I predict Adesanya gets the job done and brings Nigeria and New Zealand its first UFC title. If there’s time for a third middleweight title shot in the calendar year -- say against “Jacare” or Costa – I’m picking Adesanya to retain.

Read More » Welterweight