The UFC Middleweight Title: A Visual History

This weekend at UFC on ESPN 19, two of Europe’s finest will square off in a main event with major implications for the middleweight title picture, as Jack Hermansson takes on late replacement Marvin Vettori at the UFC Apex.

Hermansson was on a four-fight win streak going into his fight with Jared Cannonier last September, and had he defeated Cannonier, might well have had his day in the Octagon with middleweight champ Israel Adesanya already. Instead, he was the recipient of a brutal second-round knockout by “The Killa Gorilla,” which sent him back down the ladder. Hermansson started his return climb this past July, shocking former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum with a heel hook in just over a minute. That paved the way to a headlining slot at “UFC Vegas 16” this Saturday, which was originally scheduled to feature Hermansson against the surging Kevin Holland, until a positive COVID-19 test on Nov. 28 forced Holland off the card.

Into Holland’s place steps Vettori, a surging contender in his own right who was overdue for a shot at a ranked opponent anyway, and a rare example of a late replacement arguably adding interest to a fight. That is because, while Vettori’s middleweight résumé is broadly comparable to Holland’s, the 27-year-old from northern Italy has an ace in the hole that Holland—and Hermansson, for that matter—lack: Vettori has already faced Adesanya, and gave him one hell of a fight. The meeting of “The Last Stylebender” and “The Italian Dream” two and a half years ago was a grinding battle that ended in a split decision for Adesanya. Vettori has maintained ever since that he should have won, and while that is debatable, a good case can be made that Vettori gave Adesanya his toughest test to date. A title rematch between the two would not be difficult to sell.

Since Cannonier lost to former champ Robert Whittaker in October, the winner of Hermansson vs. Vettori will take a big step forward in the queue of contenders, as will the victor in the Holland vs. Ronaldo Souza main event next weekend. It is entirely possible that the most impressive winner will be the next challenger for Adesanya’s belt. Here is the nearly two-decade history of the UFC middleweight title and the times it was won, lost or defended. Interim title fights are omitted with the exception of Whittaker vs. Yoel Romero at UFC 213, since the winner of that fight was promoted to undisputed champion without a unification bout.