411's MMA Rankings 05.19.09: Lightweight Division

Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 05.19.2009

Join the 411 MMA Staff as we unveil the latest lightweight rankings including the best fifteen fighters in the world. Is B.J. Penn still the premiere 155er or has Eddie Alvarez, Shinya Aoki or JZ Cavalcante become THE man? Where does Kenny Florian rank now that his August title fight with Penn is official? How high can Takanori Gomi rise after his recent victory? Days before their UFC 98 fight, check to see where Sean Sherk and Frankie Edgar rank. All that and much more, so break on through.

Welcome back for the latest 411mania rankings courtesy of yours truly and the rest of the MMA Staff. This week we take a peek at the lightweights, a division stacked with talent and yet they rarely get the publicity that the heavyweight's or light heavyweight's get. B.J. Penn is still the top dog in this yard to no surprise and frankly, this summer is set to really shake-up these rankings depending on the winners. Penn/Florian and Aoki/Hansen are the two big summer fights in this division. Later this month, two fights take place that may cause a rumble in their own right. JZ/Kawajiri and Sherk/Edgar are set for the next week and who knows, how their conclusions may shake up this division.

Meanwhile, you have Strikeforce lightweights such as Josh Thomson (still out with a broken leg) and Gilbert Melendez waiting for match-ups while Eddie Alvarez is dominating Bellator.

Moreso than any other division, the lightweight's have a ton of talent and remember, only fifteen fighters make the list. So, can Frankie Edgar and Takanori Gomi maintain their positions from last month? Will Tyson Griffin, Clay Guida, Gray Maynard, Satoru Kitaoka and others make a play at the bottom of the list?

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To the feedback...


fDf wrote, "Well since your 3,4, and 5 could probably beat your 2, and 5 will very soon, yer rankin's seem a bit off. Barnett would tear Mir a new one, and I would LOVE to see Mir try to box Arlovski like he did Big Nog."
I'm sure any fighter in the top-15 could probably beat any other fighter on the list. Well, maybe except for Fedor. Barnett couldn't tear Gilbert Yvel a "new one" so how could he do so to Mir? Any fighter who isn't training in boxing chooses to stand with Arlovski, they're taking a steep risk. Look at the Fedor fight. I'd think Mir could easily handle Arlovski on the ground.

Brad asks about the PFP ranking of Forrest Griffin, "May I ask what will happen if Silva (a middleweight) beats Griffin to his P4P ranking, out of top 15 yes?"
In my mind, if Griffin is beaten badly by Silva, yes he should drop out of the top 15. If Griffin makes it a close fight and loses by the skin of his teeth, I'd probably lean towards keeping Griffin in. After all, Anderson Silva is a top-3 fighter.

RJC questions the intentions of Arlovski and Sylvia, "Arlovski and Sylvia really shouldn't be on there, as they both have upcoming boxing matches and I'm fairly sure haven't said much about a return to MMA."
I doubt either man is going to quit MMA and focus on a pro-boxing career. Right now, it's not like Affliction is running monthly shows and the pair aren't participating. They need to get paid somehow.

An excerpt from Wyatt Beougher who theorizes Fedor's dominance is coming to an end, "For the time being, I have no problem with Fedor remaining at number one, and I won't try to deny the man's legacy, but, like Liddell, Ortiz, and Hughes, his time is coming, and the new breed of heavyweight is looking to take over the division."
You may be 100% correct. But we may never find out as long as Fedor does not head to the UFC. I doubt Fedor would be outclassed against guys like Brock, Carwin, Velasquez, Mir, etc., but they would put up a great fight. Thinking about those guys in particular, none have glass chins, all have great wrestling (in Mir's case, grappling) and the ability to strike with power. Dangerous threats to Fedor, indeed.

PunchDrunk is back, "Frank Mir at #2 is hilarious. You guys should be ashamed of putting him that high."
Are you the President of the Josh Barnett fan club?

GeeSpotter approves. "Can't argue to much with this list. Thanks for not ranking Heath Herring (finally). Not sure if Cro Cop still deserves a place on this list. Anybody can jack up their win column in Japan."
What's Herring done lately, anyway? Cro Cop is debatable, but there isn't a long list of heavyweight prospects I see.

Shawno420 comments on Fedor and poses a question, "I do not believe Lesnar or Carwin could beat Fedor. I am a big fan of both and think they are 2 of the best HW in UFC, but Fedor always finds a way to win. He was being beaten by Arlovski pretty bad on the feet, until Arlovski made one little mistake, that's all that Fedor needs. Lesnar and Carwin are both new to MMA, it wouldn't be long until they made a mistake that Fedor took advantage of and won. In 5 year maybe not, but right now Fedor is the best fighter in the world. And how are 2 Affliction fighters(one that just lost and is going to boxing) above the UFC HW Champion?"
First, of the two (not including Fedor) Affliction guys above Brock, Barnett didn't lose and Arlovski is still a good heavyweight. In my mind, Arlovski would pose trouble for Brock because of his stand-up skills, but Brock has his own power and as we know, Arlovski appears to have a glass chin. As for Barnett, e-mail punchdrunk and he'll explain his greatness. ;) The argument regarding Brock making a mistake, that was posed before his fights with Herring and Couture. Obviously Fedor is better than both, but Brock went 15-minutes without making a mistake against Herring. Couture wanted to take the fight into the championship rounds but couldn't make it there after getting caught with a big punch. Anything can happen.

RobertMenn talks Mir/Barnett, "Barnett at 3? Nah. Both Arlovski and Lesnar would handle Barnett. And I don't like keeping fighters at #2 (as AA once was) when they lost, but if Mir fought like he did when he fought Nog, he'd get KTFO in a fight against Arlovski."
Oh boy, Barnett-hate? Sound the alarm. I don't know about 'handle' but I'd agree both Arlovski and Lesnar pose problems for Barnett.

CyberFreq brings in some Mir love for a change, "Why all the Mir hate? I think he's ranked just fine. Like another guys said, if the dude hadn't been in that accident, I bet he would have just straight murdered the heavyweight division. He's got some slick BJJ and while Josh is a great wrestler, Mir's BJJ would have Josh play right into Frank's game."
You just cannot underestimate Mir's ground game against any wrestler.

Red Cloud brings in some points, too, "As for Mir being number 2, why the hell not? He has good wins over top heavyweights(Lesnar, Sylvia), and he has the interim heavyweight title around his waist. His BJJ is great, just ask Sylvia if you don't believe me, and every time he shows up for a fight in good condition, he wins. Not to mention, he is the only guy to hold a win over the current FC Heavyweight Champ. So yeah, he belongs at number 2. / On the subject of who Fedor could or couldn't beat, stop arguing. Fedor is number one because he's beaten everyone that stood in the ring with him. And yes, you could say oh this guy had him rocked, that guy should have beat him, and yes, Arlovski was definitely having his way with Fedor in their fight, but in the end "this guy" lost to Fedor, "that guy" lost to Fedor, and even Arlovski got laid out by Fedor."
I assume you meant wins over Lesnar & Big Nog for Mir. He certainly is no joke at #2. He is a well rounded heavyweight. Can we say the same for Brock?

PJ concludes with a look at Mir's potential historic comeback story, "Good to see Mir get some love, if he can beat Lesnar (again) and win the belt he never lost it'd be an amazing comback story, giving up the title due to injury in 2005, being told by doctors he'd never fight again after the bike wresck, 18 months out of the sport, coming back out of shape and looking like crap with everyone thinking he was done then a win over Lesnar (the next great hype at heavyweight) followed up by the total destruction of Big Nog (the only man to EVER finish Nog in a fight). Obviously Brock's a heavy favorite but god, if Mir could do it it'd be one of the greatest comebacks in the history of combat sports. "
Even right now, Mir's comeback is incredible. If he is able to beat Lesnar again and become the undisputed heavyweight champ, it would be a sight to see for sure. Then it becomes a case where he has to train like a hungry warrior for each defense so he doesn't become lazy Mir again. But first, he has to beat Lesnar (again).


What have we learned kids?

Frank Mir is pretty damn good.



Thanks as always for the questions and comments.

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Lightweight Rankings from One Year Ago

1. B.J. Penn

2. Takanori Gomi

3. Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante

4. Mitsuhiro Ishida

5. Sean Sherk

6. Gilbert Melendez

7. Kenny Florian

8. Tatsuya Kawajiri

9. Vitor Ribeiro

10. Shinya Aoki


Roger Huerta, Tyson Griffin, Joachim Hansen, Joe Stevenson, K.J. Noons and Eddie Alvarez were "On The Bubble."

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411's MMA Ranking Rules

- A fighter must fight at least once within the past calendar year to be ranked. The rule applies to weight classes as well so fighters must stay active inside their native weight class. However, if a fighter has a fight scheduled, they are eligible to be ranked.

- If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points shall be deducted to balance out between other fighters who may have been ranked lower, but appeared on more total ballots.

- If you feel like complaining about a fighter's ranking in the comments section, then please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking. Remember "if u rite lik thiss" then your opinion doesn't matter and everyone will point and laugh.

- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the MMA staff of 411mania. So if you are an MMA fighter and hate your ranking, beating just me up would be unnecessary. You would have to beat us all up, and when we are all together...well, when that happens, you probably don't want to be anywhere near us. Besides, just ask and I am sure the resident Tool will be glad to settle things for all of us. I'm sure.






411's Official MMA Rankings

Lightweight Division (155 lbs)





1) B.J. Penn (13-5-1)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: December 13, 1978

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009

- vs. Sean Sherk - Win via TKO (knees and punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Joe Stevenson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008

- vs. Jens Pulver - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale - June 6, 2007

- vs. Matt Hughes - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Kenny Florian - UFC 101 - August 8, 2009

Comment: Penn is still the best lightweight in the world. Whether you hate the man or not, you cannot deny him that much.

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2) Shinya Aoki (20-4)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: May 9, 1983

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Hayato Sakurai - Loss via KO (knees) - DREAM 8: Welterweight Grand Prix 1st Round - April 5, 2009

- vs. David Gardner - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - DREAM 7: Featherweight Grand Prix 1st Round - March 8, 2009

- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Win via submission (heel hook) - FEG FieLDS Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008

- vs. Todd Moore - Win via submission (neck crank) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - September 23, 2008

- vs. Joachim Hansen - Loss via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - July 21, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Joachim Hansen - DREAM 10 - July 20, 2009

Comment: Aoki may not be a top pound-for-pound fighter (having lost at welterweight to Hayato Sakurai, and looking like a kid in an exhibition with Fedor Emelianenko), but he is top notch among lightweights. As for those wondering why Aoki gets this high despite a loss to Joachim Hansen, they are 1-1 against each other. Plus, Aoki did defeat Eddie Alvarez while Hansen lost a close decision to him. No tomatoes please.

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3) Kenny Florian (11-3)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: May 26, 1976

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Joe Stevenson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008

- vs. Roger Huerta - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008

- vs. Joe Lauzon - Win via TKO (punches and elbows) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008

- vs. Din Thomas - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007

- vs. Alvin Robinson - Win via submission (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. B.J. Penn - UFC 101 - August 8, 2009

Comment: Hands down, the most important fight of his career is coming up in less than three months. With a win, he becomes the top 155er in the UFC and arguably, the world. With a loss, he will (correctly or not) get the tag that he is very good, but can't get the big win in a championship fight. You know, sorta like the knock on Sean Sherk, who may not be able to defeat B.J. Penn. Can Florian win the big one?

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4) Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (14-2-1)

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round - April 29, 2008

- vs. Shinya Aoki - No Contest - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008

- vs. Andre Amade - Win via submission (armbar) - K-1 HERO'S 10 - September 17, 2007

- vs. Vitor Ribeiro - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S 10 - September 17, 2007

- vs. Nam Phan - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S Dynamite!! USA - June 2, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - DREAM 9 - May 26, 2009

Comment: JZ fights for the first time this year in the main event of the stacked DREAM 9 card later this month. Two top-ten lightweights fighting? I approve~!

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5) Eddie Alvarez (17-2)

Birthday: November 11, 1984

Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Bellator Fighting Championship, Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Eric Reynolds - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Bellator Fighting Championships 5 - May 1, 2009

- vs. Greg Loughran - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Bellator Fighting Championships 1 - April 3, 2009

- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via submission (heel hook) - FEG FieLDS Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008

- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008

- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3: Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Toby Imada - Bellator Fighting Championships XII - June 19, 2009

Comment: As expected, Alvarez has made it to the finals of the Bellator Lightweight Championship Tournament. If he is successful, he will have three wins in three months. Padding the record is fine, but I can't wait to see Alvarez in Strikeforce...although who would he fight?

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6) Sean Sherk (33-3-1)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: August 5, 1973

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Tyson Griffin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008

- vs. BJ Penn - Loss via TKO (knees and punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008

- vs. Hermes Franca - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

- vs. Kenny Florian - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006

- vs. Nick Diaz - Win via decision - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Frankie Edgar - UFC 98 - May 23, 2009

Comment: Can Frankie Edgar do what no one but the very best in the sport has done? The only men to defeat Sherk have been Penn, GSP and Matt Hughes. With Sherk, if he wins, who does he fight next?

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7) Joachim Hansen (19-7-1)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: May 26, 1979

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Shinya Aoki - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008

- vs. Kultar Gill - Win via submission (armbar) - DREAM 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008

- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008

- vs. Kotetsu Boku - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 1 Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008

- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Shinya Aoki - DREAM 10 - July 20, 2009

Comment: Hansen is tentatively set to return to the ring in July to meet Shinya Aoki for the third time in a rubber match. If Hansen wins, should he move into the top-five or higher?

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8) Tatsuya Kawajiri (23-5-2)

Height: 5'7

Birthday: May 8, 1978

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Ross Ebanez - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - DREAM 7: Featherweight Grand Prix First Round - March 8, 2009

- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Loss via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008

- vs. Luiz Firmino - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3 - Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008

- vs. Kultar Gill - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 1 - Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008

- vs. Luiz Azeredo - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Gesias Cavalcante - DREAM 9 - May 26, 2009

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9) Josh Thomson (16-2)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: September 21, 1978

Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Ashe Bowman - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion II - September 20, 2008

- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson - June 27, 2008

- vs. Adam Lynn - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion - September 29, 2007

- vs. Nick Gonzalez - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni - June 22, 2007

- vs. Nam Phan - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Triple Threat - December 8, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Injured (broken leg)

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10) Gilbert Melendez (15-2)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: April 12, 1982

Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Rodrigo Damm - Win via KO - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz - April 11, 2009

- vs. Josh Thomson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson - June 27, 2008

- vs. Gabe Lemley - Win via TKO (punches) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le - March 29, 2008

- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007

- vs. Tetsuji Kato - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion - September 29, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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11) Diego Sanchez (20-2)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: December 31, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Joe Stevenson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009

- vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Win via TKO (strikes) - Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale - June 21, 2008

- vs. David Bielkheden - Win via submission (strikes) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008

- vs. Jon Fitch - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

- vs. Josh Koscheck - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Clay Guida - The Ultimate Fighter: U.S. vs. U.K. Finale - June 20, 2009

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12) Vitor Ribeiro (20-2)

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Katsuhiko Nagata - Win via doctor stoppage (cut) - DREAM 8: Welterweight Grand Prix First Round - April 5, 2009

- vs. Gesias Cavalcante - Loss via TKO - K-1 Hero's Tournament Final - September 17, 2007

- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - K-1 Hero's Middleweight Tournament First Round - July 16, 2007

- vs. Ryuki Ueyama - Win via submission (triangle armbar) - K-1 Hero's 8 - March 12, 2007

- vs. Daisuke Nakamura - Win via submission (armbar) - CR 19: Fearless - December 9, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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13) Takanori Gomi (30-5)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: September 22, 1978

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Shooto

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Takashi Nakakura - Win via KO - Shooto: Tradition Final - May 10, 2009

- vs. Satoru Kitaoka - Loss via submission (achilles lock) - World Victory Road - Sengoku: no Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009

- vs. Sergey Golyaev - Loss via decision (split) - World Victory Road - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008

- vs. Seung Hwan Bang - Win via unanimous decision - World Victory Road - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008

- vs. Duane Ludwig - Win via TKO (cut) - World Victory Road - Sengoku - March 5, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Currently Unknown

Comment: The Fireball Kid WON! He actually WON! Bring on Penn!

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14) Clay Guida (25-9)

Height: 5'7

Birthday: December 8, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Nate Diaz - Win via decision (split) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009

- vs. Mac Danzig - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 15 - September 17, 2008

- vs. Samy Schiavo - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008

- vs. Roger Huerta - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale - December 8, 2007

- vs. Marcus Aurelio - Win via decision (split) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Diego Sanchez - The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale - June 20, 2009

Comment: It seems every year, the UFC throws a major opponent to Guida to test the man...and to have a great fight. In 2007, Guida took Roger Huerta to the limit before losing via submission. In 2008, Mac Danzig was coming off two UFC wins until he ran into Guida. Earlier this year, Nate Diaz was 5-0 in the UFC before losing to Guida. Now Guida has to contend with someone whose wrestling ability may be as good, if not better, than his own. Best yet, this fight will be on SpikeTV. HELL YEAH~! If Guida can win this challenge, I don't see how the UFC can stop from giving the man a title shot.

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15) Satoru Kitaoka (24-8))

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Takanori Gomi - Win via submission (achilles lock) - Sengoku: No Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009

- vs. Kazunori Yokota - Win via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008

- vs. Eiji Mitsuoka - Win via submission (heel hook) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008

- vs. Clay French - Win via submission (achilles lock) - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008

- vs. Ian James Schaffa - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Yukio Sakaguchi - Pancrase Changing - June 7, 2009

Comment: Well, Kitaoka is 5-0 in his last five fights and 10-1 in his last eleven fights. He defeated Takanori Gomi earlier this year and he barely sneaks in at #15? For the record, on my ballot, I did not have Gomi listed at all. All I can say is, I guess Gomi still has a large reputation despite his lackluster recent history. Kitaoka needs some rankings love!



Final Notes: Other fighters who received votes included Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar, Tyson Griffin, Mitsuhiro Ishida and Jamie Varner.