411's MMA Rankings 06.30.09: Lightweight Division

Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 06.30.2009

Check out the latest 411mania MMA rankings with the best lightweights in the world on this showcase. How high has Diego Sanchez jumped up the rankings after his awesome fight with Clay Guida? Should Ken-Flo and Champ BJ Penn be worried? Eddie Alvarez completed his dominance of Bellator, but is it enough to kick his way into the top three? How bad will Sean Sherk's loss to Frankie Edgar shake things up? Lastly, find out which top lightweight is at risk of completely falling out of the rankings next time. All that and much more in this jam packed edition~!

Well, well, well. Action has hit the lightweight division like a tornado through Topeka. Just over a week ago we witnessed the early favorite for fight of the year when Diego Sanchez etched out a split decision victory over Clay Guida. Everybody (and I mean, everybody) loves Guida, but do you think he is a top-fifteen fighter in this division? There are a TON of quality fighters here, moreso than any other division (I think). Hell, Tyson Griffin is a terrific fighter and has not tasted a top-fifteen spot in a long time.

B.J. Penn and Shinya Aoki are the top men here again. No argument can be made against them in the eyes of the 411mania MMA staff. Ironically, both men last fought welterweights and lost. That's a pretty ironic and interesting fact.

The first big battle of these rankings comes for the #3 spot and it's between the UFC's Kenny Florian and Bellator/DREAM/Strikeforce stud Eddie Alvarez. Who do you think deserves it more? It was a close call with less than a handful of votes separating them. I am also proud to say that for the first time in a while, THERE WAS A TIE. Yes, two fighters in our top-fifteen tied each other in the voting. You will have to pay close attention to figure it out (here's a hint: it occured in the TOP TEN).

With perennial favorite JZ Calvacante losing to Tatsuya Kawajiri at the May DREAM show, Kawajiri did shoot up the rankings. Check below to see how badly the loss effected JZ's status as a routine favorite. Along with the Alvarez series in Bellator, Edgar/Sherk and Sanchez/Guida, more great lightweight action is on the horizon. Specifically, August is looking to be a crazy month as four of the top ten fighters will be in action, against one another in two fights. Penn vs. Florian and Thomson vs. Melendez, both championship fights should be sights to see.

Without further annoyance, get to reading. It was tough for us, so enjoy the 411mania MMA lightweight rankings.


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FEEDBACK to Last Week's Pound for Pound Rankings

From Evan. "Only thing I don't like is BJ being so high, considering hes 4-4 in the last so many years. Nice to see Brown get some respect!"
A lot of people still see Penn as the prodigy who can beat any other fighter on any given day. Frankly, if everyone is the same size (PFP), I'd probably pick Penn to win most fights. Mike Brown definitely deserves more respect from MMA fans.

Courtesy of Brad. "Maybe it's the huge Mike Brown fan in me but I feel he should be #6. Can't argue with the rest though. After UFC 101 when Silva beats Forrest he goes straight to #1 P4P doesn't he? That's half question/half statement."
If Silva can beat Griffin at UFC 101, does he deserve the top spot? Perhaps, having beaten a former 205-pound champion. But it would be tough for him to jump right over both GSP and Fedor on his way to the top.

Thanks to Shawno420 for his comments. "I like the list, especially because Silva is finally lower down the list. Fedor should be #1 until he actually looses a fight, or if he takes an extended break without fighting. Fedor has been undefeated for years and fights on a regular basis, there is no reason for him not to be #1. GSP has faced great competition, and has completely dominated his fights."
You gave reasons for both Fedor & GSP to be atop the pound for pound list. It's tough but you must pick one over the other some how. To tell you the truth, you can't go wrong with either fighter as the overall best. It's a coin-flip in most instances anyway.

K. Bett questions Fedor as the PFP King. "So Fedor is p4p king after beating(According to the writers on this very site) 2 over rated, glass chin owners in Arlovsky and Sylvia. A side show attraction in Choi. A middle-weight in Lindland and a heavyweight in nobodys top 10 in Hunt....Meanwhile GSP is 2nd after beating two other fighters in your own p4p rankings in dominate fashion and Anderson Silva is 3rd for being in the same boat as Fedor .. only Hendo and Ace are still highly respected, and Silva went up a weight class and won after slapping around Irving."
All things being the same, GSP uses his amazing athleticism and size to defeat his opponents. He was bigger than Hughes, Fitch, Koscheck, etc. The only recent fight where he will be the small dude will be with Alves. Fedor has beaten (dominated) his opponents and has used submissions, striking, grappling in the process (like GSP does). Why should Fedor not be at the top of the list? Somebody has to be 2nd, 3rd on here.

Diavo questions Fedor's opposition. "I was sure that Sylvia's and Arlovski's recent losses would knock Fedor down a bit. I mean Ray Mercer and Brett Rogers have done the same thing he has in the last year...I would also make a case for getting Machida in the top 3 but I don't know who to bump down. No way it's Georgie Boy...
I'm not sure that Sylvia's and Arlovski's recent losses (post-Fedor) have a great impact on the judges. Should they have an impact on the fact Couture beat Sylvia or Big Nog beating Sylvia? The main point I take away from the top guys is they all dominated competition from their own divisions (Fedor, GSP, Silva and even Machida). It's tough but some one must be at the back of the line.

AdamS chimes in here. "Shouldn't Rampage be a step below Rashad and not above him? Love Rampage but the fact is he lsot to Forrest, and then Rashad (got kinda lucky) and beat him, and only lost to a guy higher up the list."
It's not as if it is a set science, regarding one guy lost to Fighter A but the second guy beat Fighter A so the second guy is better than the first guy. Rampage was only one spot above Rashad and since they have yet to fight, it's voters taking their pick of who they feel would win the eventual fight. Both have great wrestling and powerful hands. It should make for an awesome fight.

Hawk hates GSP. "GSP is a Cheater how hes still ranked so high I have now idea...I see him getting knocked out in a couple weeks."
How is GSP a cheater? Have you spoken to St. Pierre? When has he admitted to knowing and pushing for his cornermen to put the substance on his back and/or torso during the fight? Never, that's the answer. GSP dominated B.J. Penn and treated him like he was a rookie in the sport. Want to know why? GSP is one of the best fighters in the sport. Face it. Penn is great, too. Just not as great as GSP (or the other fighters above him on the PFP list).

GeeSpotter questions the UFC masses on the PFP list. "Wow. Only 1 fighter on the list isn't under a Zuffa contract. Is that possible? Can the UFC really be holding all the good cards? No Ace in the hole for Strikeforce, DREAM, or Affliction (besides Fedor)? I'm a UFC groupie so I love the list, but you can't help but feel sorry for the other organizations. Maybe Lesnar cracks the list when he beats Mir?
How many non-Zuffa guys can you think of as being the best PFP in the world? Rogan thinks Nick Diaz is one, but I would not agree completely. Who else? Because I have not a clue who would fit. As for Lesnar, no way he should be on a PFP list in my view. The main part of his style is the fact he is a physical beast. If he is 6'1 and 180 lbs instead, facing any other fighter here with those same physical featuers...Lesnar cannot beat the great fighters above. Nothing against the guy but he is simply so new to the sport that you're asking him to contend with seasoned veterans. At least against Mir on July 11th, he will have the size/power advantage.

MikeyP throws his penny into the 411mania well. "Solid list, despite BJ Penn's high ranking. Fedor deserves the no.1 simply because he has not lost in sich a long period of time. I'm also glad Lyoto didnt jump into the top 3 because until he defends his title e simply don't belong in the top 3."
Some solid reasons for Fedor being #1 and against Machida enterting the top 3.

Anti-fedor dude/lady Fedor is Unproven says, "Let's be real here, he fights the best available. But if the best fighters in the world are evolving and under Zuffa contract, you cannot possibly say that he is fighting sufficiently high caliber opponents. The pound for pound best fighters continue to prove they are the best by fighting the best, not simply the ones available. Period."
Well, who is to judge whether FORMER UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS are not 'high caliber opponents?'

Cyks drops by with a boatload of thoughts. "With his [Couture's] time off and age working against him, I simply don't see reason to keep him ranked so high unless he beats Nog....Keep him [Penn] in the #1 spot for LW (for now), but he has shown that when the "same size" isn't 155, he has a decent shot at loosing.... with 4 of his 5 losses coming at a weight other then 155...As for the Fedor hate, the guy constantly switches within the top 3 and will continue to do so until he either loses or retires."
As for Couture, the man has wins over stiff heavyweights (Sylvia and Gonzaga when they were favorites) and is a legend in the light heavyweight class. Right now he may not have age on his side but who is to say he would not be able to defeat men if they were the same size? With BJ, I can't help but think that GSP was so much bigger than him earlier this year. Again, if they are the exact same size, is GSP still the better fighter? Perhaps.

saerbarnet responds to Cyks criticism of Penn. "4 out of his 5 losses has come outside of his natural weightclass and you ask why he should be considered for the p4p-list? That's some twisted fkin logic you got there... There are fighters that has lost more times in their normal weightclass on the list and you seem okay with them being there...

...as does Wylun. "well said saerbarnet, i believe out of this whole list, BJ is the only fighter to not only venture into a weight class one higher than him. but even beyond, fighting even at 190lbs. .. how many fighters can say that they would fight 45lbs higher than their "best fitted" weight class...THATS why hes on the P4P list.. and also the fact that he actually won a belt in another weight class too. and even managed to lose in only a decision to the recent LHW champ.

An interesting take on the Penn talk from Ranma (Mike) Solo. "The same magical weight class were the 155 pound Penn has the SAME CARDIO as he does at 155, the SAME SPEED and same ratio of POWER as he does at 155. When Penn bulks up to fight at 170 it's become readily apparent that he is not even close to the same fighter he is at 155. He can't carry that much weight effectively. It wears him down and costs him fights. Until he starts losing at 155 or only fights above his weight, he shouldn't be any lower than 6 or 7 on the P4P lists.
Very interesting analysis of the impact the extra weight has on Penn. Generally when talking about PFP, I think you have to assume both fighters are at their optimal weight without any size/superhuman strength advantage. Tough to dissect it all but that's why people argue about sports.


Thanks for all the great comments, feedback and everything in between.

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Lightweight Rankings from One Year Ago

1. B.J. Penn

2. Takanori Gomi

3. Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante

4. Shinya Aoki

5. Gilbert Melendez

6. Sean Sherk

7. Kenny Florian

8. Mitsuhiro Ishida

9. Roger Huerta

10. Eddie Alvarez


Tatsuya Kawajiri, Vitor Ribeiro, Tyson Griffin, Joe Stevenson, K.J. Noons and Clay Guida 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: Hey guise! Penn still is the best 155er according to the 411mania MMA staff.

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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:

- Currently Unknown

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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

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4) Eddie Alvarez (17-2)

Birthday: November 11, 1984

Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Bellator Fighting Championship, Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Toby Imada - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Bellator Fighting Championship 12 - June 19, 2009

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

- vs. Greg Loughran - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Bellator Fighting Championship 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: Where oh where will Alvarez fight next? The last reports I have read say he is going nowhere until Bellator says so. One thing is for certain, after having fought three times in the span of two months, he will take some time off to rest his body. The new Bellator champion may not fight again until the second season of the ESPN product begins.

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5) Tatsuya Kawajiri (24-5-2)

Height: 5'7

Birthday: May 8, 1978

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Gesias Calvacante - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 9: Featherweight Grand Prix Second Round - May 26, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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6) 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:

- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009

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6) Diego Sanchez (21-2)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: December 31, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Clay Guida - Win via decision (split) - UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale - June 20, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: Double 6's because Thomson and Sanchez came out tied in the rankings. Sanchez appears to be the number one contender to the UFC belt after Kenny Florian's shot next month.

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8) 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. Currently Unknown

Comment: This may be the final time Hellboy is found on this list. It will be one year by the next time we rank the lightweights and Hansen has not fought, nor is scheduled to compete at the moment. If his schedule stays empty, he will not be eligible.

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9) Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (14-3-1)

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 9: Featherweight Grand Prix Second Round - May 26, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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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:

- vs. Josh Thomson - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009

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11) Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: August 5, 1973

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Frankie Edgar - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: His loss to Edgar drops him out of the top 10 but he is still in the mix as voting was very close between the Muscle Shark and Melendez and JZ. Sherk's road to another title shot took a hit as he will be fighting the stigma of being a gatekeeper in the 155-pound division. Sherk dropped from #6 to #11 so it is a big jump for the former champion (albeit in the worse direction).

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12) Frankie Edgar (10-1)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: October 16, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Sean Sherk - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009

- vs. Hermes Franca - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin - July 19, 2008

- vs. Gray Maynard - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008

- vs. Spencer Fisher - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007

- vs. Mark Bocek - Win via TKO (strikes) - UC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: Tough break for Edgar. He beats a top ten ranked fighter and cannot emerge higher than twelve here. It's a start, I guess. After all, Edgar was unranked when we last put this together. With another big win, Edgar should definitely find himself amongst the top ten fighters in the division.

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13) Takanori Gomi (30-5)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: September 22, 1978

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku

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: Rumors say Gomi has been negotiating for a possible contract with an American MMA promotion such as the UFC or Affliction. This is interesting because Gomi has spoken with the UFC in the past. Should Penn lose to Florian, perhaps a Gomi/Penn fight would be his best option.

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14) 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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15) Satoru Kitaoka (25-8)

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Yukio Sakaguchi - Win via submission (achilles lock) - Pancrase Tour 3 - June 6, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: Kitaoka maintains the final spot on our list, with another win via achilles lock submission. Amazing how well a guy can use maneuvers he loves using. I guess it's true, practice makes perfect. I was still torn to see Takanori Gomi with a better ranking than Kitaoka, despite losing to the latter fighter. Same thing happened last time, ah well. At least he made the list. Optimism is healthy for you~!



Final Notes: Other fighters receiving votes include Gray Maynard, Tyson Griffin, Clay Guida, Jamie Varner, Mitsuhiro Ishida and Donald Cerrone.

Repeating words from above, Joachim Hansen must be scheduled for a fight (or have one) by the time we next rank the lightweights. Otherwise, he will be ineligble for voting because it will be over a year since his last fight.