411 MMA Rankings 07.21.09: Middleweight Division

Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 07.21.2009

Does Anderson Silva have any serious competition? Dan Henderson says HELL YEAH after his knockout of Michael Bisping. Where does the big loss leave Bisping, perhaps on the outside looking in? Read on to find out how high Yoshihiro Akiyama jumped with a razor thin victory over Alan Belcher. Check out how Vitor Belfort and Jorge Santiago rank before their Affliction bout, and much more in this edition of the 411 MMA Rankings.

Welcome back for another dose of your favorite weekly rankings brought to you by the extremely fine folk at 411mania's MMA zone. UFC 100 is now in the rear view mirror and our first look following the historic event will be at the middleweight division. Otherwise known as, Anderson Silva and other dudes. Dan Henderson has been number two for a long time and cemented that status with a huge knockout on the big show, sending Michael Bisping to the mat faster then a sack of bricks. The question that will stare UFC booker Joe Silva and Dana White in the face is whether Henderson should get a second title shot at Silva. According to our rankings, HELL YEAH they should book it regardless of Silva's performance against Forrest Griffin next month.

The usual crop of UFC middleweights are all here such as Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami who may never get a title shot due to circumstances around Silva's recent title defenses. Other fighters such as Robbie Lawler, Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki make a bulk of the top-ten although despite winning his last five fights, Santiago is barely a top-five fighter. Ouch~! Robbie Lawler was once considered a top-three middleweight but following his loss last month to Jake Shields, it seems some have soured on the heavy puncher.

The Demian Maia freight train may have come to a screetching halt, unless he can repeat his success when he fights Nate Marquardt at UFC 102. With a win, I would predict Maia bounces right into the top-five, if not higher because he is such a crowd pleaser.


Check out these great 411mania MMA offerings:
-Jeremy Lambert's Cardio Freak News Report looks at Kit Cope goofiness and wacky Affliction press releases, plus much more~!
-Patrick Mullin's Blueprint examines how to Overthrow the Emperor, Fedor Emelianenko~!
-Bill Wannop presents MMA Legacy this week, featuring Josh "Babyface Assassin" Barnett~!
-If you missed any of the weekend's action, catch-up with a live report from Jeremy Lambert DREAM 10 Report~!

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Cyks - WTF- no Twinkle Toes?!? ...I kid. I kid. Some are too high, some are too low... but it's all opinion and close enough so it doesn't really matter.
Thanks for stating the obvious, ;)

Brad - Alves drops two places? He would still murder Jake Shields....
Two of the voters had Alves above Shields, so they would agree with you. I think Shields would pose a bigger threat then you give him credit for. Alves' drop has more to do (IMO) with the fact he is no longer the top UFC contender.

J - Mach is waaay too low. Karo isn't really top 15, I don't think. Other than that, good list.
Can you say jinx? LOL, Sakurai will probably miss the next top 15 after his DREAM loss. Abour Parisyan, some days I'd agree with you. Other days, I'd say he may still have something left in the tank.

Alex Mattis - Stun Gun?
Slips through the cracks apparently.

SoulBrotherNo1 - Pretty good list,however there are two things that I dont like:
1. I dont think Alves should drop two spots,he did what one can do vs GSP. He is no.3 on my list,definitely above Shields.
2. Paulo Thiago should be definitely on the list. He knocked out the no.5 spot Koscheck in his debut,than had a nice jiu-jitsu match against Fitch,who is unquestionably no.2,and prbably would run through everybody not named GSP. He should be in the second half of the top10. Other than that,good choices
Your point about Alves is understandable. I cannot recall off hand whether Fitch dropped below 2 after his loss to GSP last year. Regarding Paulo Thiago, I still see him as one big question mark. Despite knocking out Koscheck and lasting 15-minutes (unimpressive minutes, for either man) with Fitch, I don't know a lot about the man. I still want to see him fight more so I can see whether he is as good as he has looked or whether he may level off. Is he a top-15 guy? Maybe, but right now, I'm not sure.

Chris G - well I disagree with a lot of things on this list.
For one, Thiago Alves should be #2 still - if anything #3. Thiago Alves has defeated MUCH bigger names than John Fitch (and Jake Shields), and he put up a much better fight against GSP than Fitch did. I personally think Koscheck is overrated. I also don't see why Stun Gun is never mentioned, yet Karo is always put so high on peoples rankings. A lot of people think Stun Gun beat Karo, so at the very least shouldn't he be near him?
Another good argument for Alves being higher than #4. Some people do think Koscheck is overrated but besides the KO from Thiago and the GSP & Alves fights, he's looked good. Haha, is that enough to warrant a Top 5 ranking? Stun Gun Kim may indeed be getting the shaft from our staff. Let's see if that changes next time.

HBK - In regards to Jardine: How the fuck does getting knocked out mean you weren't dominated in a fight?
I see someone being dominated as more than just a split second KO. Maybe it's just me but I think Rampage KTFO of Liddell but did not dominate him. Same with Rashad and Liddell, Rampage and Silva, Jardine and Silva. GSP's wins over Fitch and Alves and Serra, DOMINATION!

NDN - I used to really like Karo... but once I found out he's 1) a cheater and 2) a crybaby I stopped being a fan. There's just no excuse for what he did.
Can't disagree with you.

MJH - This is one of the tougher divisions to rank.
My initial thought was that Nick Diaz (who I dispise) was rated too low because no one knows exactly which division he belongs. Then I looked at his last 5 fights, and he really hasn't beaten anyone relevant in today's game. I'd find a spot for Rumble on the list. Karo should NOT be on the list. Fitch and Alves are 2a and 2b to me - something I didn't realize - why doesn't Fitch get bashed for being a guy who always goes to decisions? I like Fitch, but when was the last time he finished a fight? Jake needs to get to the UFC. He needs some fights in his own weight division.
Nick Diaz is an interesting character because he wins but when was the last time he fought a serious top contender in his own division? Interesting point about Fitch, who apologized to Dana White backstage after the fight for going to another decision (saw it on White's Video Blog).

Thanks for the comments, questions, and love/hate. It's always appreciated

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Middleweight Rankings From One Year Ago

1. Anderson Silva

2. Paulo Filho

3. Dan Henderson

4. Rich Franklin

5. Yushin Okami

6. Robbie Lawler

7. Matt Lindland

8. Jacare Souza

9. Gegard Mousasi

10. Nate Marquardt

Yoshihiro Akiyama, Jason Miller, Thales Leites, Frank Trigg, Kazuo Misaki, Denis Kang and Martin Kampmann 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 wish to complain about a fighter's ranking in the comments section, then please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking, and include your own set of rankings if you would!

- Sometimes, ties do happen. If you see two fighters with the same ranking, it means voting resulting in said tie. If you have an idea for a tiebreaker (or two), by all means, comment below the article.

- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the staff of 411mania. If you wish to duel over any ranking, contact me and we can work something out. I may be busy but I am almost positive 411's resident Tool is available for such occasions. If not, a comment below can serve you just as well.





*Cung Le was removed from contention because he has not fought in more than a year.



411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division

Middleweight Division (185 pounds)






1) Anderson Silva (24-4)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: April 14, 1975

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Thales Leites - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 97: Redemption - April 18, 2009

- vs. Patrick Cote - Win via TKO (injured knee) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008

- vs. James Irvin - Win via KO (punches) - UFC: Fight Night 14 - July 19, 2008

- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008

- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Forrest Griffin - UFC 101: Declaration - August 8, 2009

Comment: Anderson Silva will be in this spot for a long, LONG time.

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2) Dan Henderson (25-7)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: August 24, 1970

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009

- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via decision (split) - UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson - January 17, 2009

- vs. Rousimar Palhares - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008

- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008

- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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3) Yushin Okami (23-4)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: July 21, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Dean Lister - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008

- vs. Evan Tanner - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008

- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007

- vs. Rich Franklin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007

- vs. Mike Swick - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Chael Sonnen - UFC 104 - October 24, 2009

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4) Nathan Marquardt (28-8-2)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: April 20, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Wilson Gouveia - Win by TKO (strikes) - UC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009

- vs. Martin Kampmann - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008

- vs. Thales Leites - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008

- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008

- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Demian Maia - UFC 102 - August 29, 2009

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5) Jorge Santiago (21-7)

Height: 6'1

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Affliction

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via technical submission (rear-naked choke) - Sengoku 7: no Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009

- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via TKO (punches) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008

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

- vs. Logan Clark - Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Sengoku 5 - September 28, 2008

- vs. Yuki Sasaki - Win via submission (armbar) - Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Vitor Belfort - Affliction: Trilogy - August 1, 2009

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6) Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: July 29, 1975

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Alan Belcher - Win via decision (split) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009

- vs. Masanori Tonooka - Win via submission (arm bar) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008

- vs. Katsuyori Shibata - Win via submission (GI choke) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 - July 21, 2008

- vs. Kazuo Misaki - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007

- vs. Denis Kang - Win via KO (punch) - K1 Olympia HERO's 2007 in Korea - October 28, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Injured

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6) Demian Maia (10-0)

Height: 6'0

Birthday: November 6, 1977

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Chael Sonnen - Win via submission (triangle choke) - UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009

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

- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008

- vs. Ed Herman - Win via technical submission (triangle choke) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008

- vs. Ryan Jensen - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

-vs. Nate Marquardt - UFC 102 - August 29, 2009

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8) Kazuo Misaki (21-9-2)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: April 25, 1976

Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jorge Santiago - Loss via technical submission (rear-naked choke) - Sengoku 7: no Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009

- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via TKO (punches) - Strikeforce "Playboy Mansion II" - September 20, 2008

- vs. Logan Clark - Win via decision (unanimous) - World Victory Road: Sengoku 3 - June 8, 2008

- vs. Siyar Bahadurzada - Win via submission (guillotine) - World Victory Road: Sengoku - March 5, 2008

- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Kazuhiko Nakamura - Sengoku Ninth Battle - August 2, 2009

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9) Robbie Lawler (16-5)

Height: 5'11

Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jake Shields - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields - June 6, 2009

- vs. Scott Smith - Win via TKO (kicks and punches) - EliteXC: Unfinished Business - July 26, 2008

- vs. Scott Smith - No contest (thumb in the eye) - EliteXC: Primetime - May 31, 2008

- vs. Murilo Rua - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Uprising - September 15, 2007

- vs. Frank Trigg - Win via KO (strikes) - ICON Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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9) Vitor Belfort (18-8)

Height: 6'0

Birthday: January 4, 1977

Currently Fighting With: Affliction

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Day Of Reckoning - January 24, 2009

- vs. Terry Martin - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008

- vs. James Zikic - Win via decision (unanimous) - Cage Rage 23 - September 22, 2007

- vs. Ivan Serati - Win via TKO (punces) - Cage Rage 21 - April 21, 2007

- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Jorge Santiago - Affliction: Trilogy - August 1, 2009

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11) Thales Leites (14-1)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: September 6, 1981

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 97: Redemption - April 18, 2009

- vs. Drew McFedries - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008

- vs. Nathan Marquardt - Win via decision (split) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008

- vs. Ryan Jensen - Win via submission (arm bar) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007

- vs. Floyd Sword - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter 5 finale - June 23, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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12) Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2)

Height: 6'0

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jason Miller - No Contest (Souza received a cut from an illegal kick) - DREAM 9: Featherweight Grand Prix Second Round 2009 - May 26, 2009

- vs. Gegard Mousasi - Loss via KO (upkick) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008

- vs. Zelg Galesic - Win via submission (arm bar) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008

- vs. Jason Miller - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008

- vs. Ian Murphy - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - April 29, 2008

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Mayhem Miller - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009 (RUMOR)

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12) Jason "Mayhem" Miller (22-6)

Height: 6'1

Birthday: December 24, 1980

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Ronaldo Souza - No Contest (Souza received a cut from an illegal kick) - DREAM 9: Featherweight Grand Prix Second Round 2009 - May 26, 2009

- vs. Kala Hose - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Kingdom MMA - April 18, 2009

- vs. Ronaldo de Souza - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4 Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008

- vs. Katsyuori Shibata - Win via TKO (strikes) - DREAM 3 Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 - May 11, 2008

- vs. Tim Kennedy - Win via decision (unanimous) - HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon - December 15, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Jacare Souza - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009 (RUMOR)

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14) Matt Lindland (21-6)

Height: 6'0

Birthday: May 17, 1970

Currently Fighting With: Affliction

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Vitor Belfort - Loss via KO (punches) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009

- vs. Fabio Negao - Win via decision (unanimous) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008

- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Loss via submission (arm bar) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007

- vs. Carlos Newton - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - IFL: Houston - February 2, 2007

- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: Portland - September 9, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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15) Michael Bisping (17-2)

Height: 6'2

Birthday: February 28, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via KO (punches) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009

- vs. Chris Leben - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008

- vs. Jason Day - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008

- vs. Charles McCarthy - Win via TKO (arm injury) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008

- vs. Rashad Evans - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. TBA - UFC 105 - November 15, 2009

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Closing Comments: Others receiving votes include Denis Kang and Joey Villasenor.




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