7 Threats To UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman's Crown

3. Ronaldo Souza

Brazilian MMA star Ronaldo €˜Jacare€™ Souza is no stranger to success. He won the vacant Strikeforce middleweight championship in 2010 - defeating Tim Kennedy to do so - then defended the belt against current welterweight contender Robbie Lawler before losing the title to Luke Rockhold. Souza has a professional record of 20-3, with 2 of those losses coming from Gegard Mousasi and Luke Rockhold. Given his lengthily history with both men and their current predicament as co-contenders, Souza surely wants to avenge both losses. €˜Jacare€™ is on a 6-fight win streak, something UFC matchmakers are certainly aware of - long win streaks make marketing title fights much easier after all. A win over any of the top 5 men in the middleweight division would legitimize his claim to a title shot, and might make him the next contender in line.