411 MMA Rankings 07.28.09: Heavyweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 07.28.2009
The heavyweights are shaking up and causing a ruckus as 411mania ranks the best big boys in the sport. Can Brock Lesnar stake claim to being the best or is Fedor the undeniable top fighter in the world? How far did Frank Mir fall after his UFC 100 loss? Check out the rest of the best heavyweights courtesy of 411mania~!
Holy cow~! Here I thought the only story heading into the week would be more Brock Lesnar talk. Not any more. Within the span of mere days, one of the top three MMA promotions in North America is dead and buried. It all started when Josh Barnett could not pass a drug test, leaving Fedor Emelianenko without an opponent for the previously planned August 1st PPV. Now these heavyweight rankings will not be influenced by two of the biggest non-UFC fighters dueling inside a ring. Shucks!
These rankings ended up being controversial amongst the 411Mania MMA crew. Arguments ensued behind closed doors as some could not comprehend how any heavyweight rankings list could be led by anyone other than Fedor. I won't mention any specific names (only because I have never done so and unless the person(s) wish for you to know, oh well), but colorful debate is always welcome (at least that's what it said in the fine print of our contracts!).
What do you have to say about it? Of course all MMA rankings are based on opinions but can anyone have a legitimate claim to being ranked #1, above Fedor Emelianenko?
Here's some feedback to last week's middleweight rankings.
S Dot wants to know, "Where is Filho?! He loses ONCE and he's totally out? He Just won last night." I'll admit the voting was done prior to the latest DREAM show so Filho was not on anyone's mind. With that said, it is going to take a lot for Filho to move up the rankings should he appear next time. That final WEC fight with Sonnen was a special New York Mets kind of ugly.
Dustin shares the sentiments from above, "linland is not that hi until he bounces back filho should be there" Why should Filho have been ranked above Lindland (remember not to include Filho's latest win as voting was done prior).
MJH doesn't like the 185ers, "This is a pretty weak weight class. Fihlo can't be ranked ahead of Sonnen IMO, and Sonnen doesn't belong on this list. I think Belcher should be here, especially if Akiyama is 6th. That was a very close fight - I personally think Belcher won, but at worst he lost a close decision. Anderson vs. Hendu part II should be a war. I can't wait for that one." Belcher did not receive much love at all, I chalk it up to just not having a lot of noise behind him. He's just there, not really a guy the UFC promotes or one who has a lot of news written about him.
Shawno420 chimes in with a new take on Bisping's loss, "Henderson win over Bisping should be classified as Death From The Sky Indeed it should.
Kit Chen is full of Souza love this week, "I rank Jacare in the Top 5. I think he would beat the fighters all the way up to the #5 ranking." What makes you think Souza would beat Leites or Belfort or Maia, etc. Souza is a good fighter but has he really shown a total package where he can beat great grapplers and strikers, too?
Thanks for another week of talk from the outskirts of 411ville.
NOW, back with the rankings......
Heavyweight Rankings from Last Year (7/31/2008)
1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria
3. Josh Barnett
4. Andrei Arlvoski
5. Randy Couture
6. Fabricio Werdum
7. Tim Sylvia
8. Gabriel Gonzaga
9. Frank Mir
10. Mirko Cro Cop
Ben Rothwell, Cheick Kongo, Aleksander Emelianenko, Antonio Silva and Heath Herring were "On The Bubble."
411's MMA Ranking Rules
- If a fighter hasn't fought in a year, he can not be ranked. It's not fair to people who are fighting to not be ranked because a fighter is taking a year off. The rule also applies to specific divisions. If a fighter hasn't fought in a weight division in a year he is no longer eligible to be ranked. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being 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 remember "if u rite lik thiss" then your opinion doesn't matter.
- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the MMA staff of 411mania. So if you are an MMA fighter and hate where you are ranked, beating just me up would be unnecessary. You would have to beat us all up, and when we are all together.....we are not dangerous at all, I won't lie to you.
Author's Note: These rankings were compiled before Josh Barnett's failed drug test became public. So the fact he tested positive for steroids (again) did not have any impact on his placement this month.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Heavyweight Division
1) Fedor Emelianenko (29-1)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 233
Currently fighting with: M-1 Global
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Win via KO (punch) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Hong Man Choi - Win via submission (arm bar) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via submission (arm bar) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Mark Hunt - Win via submission (kimura) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: With Affliction folding, Emelianenko still has one fight left on his deal. He likely won't be interested in a UFC deal that restricts where he can work so expect him to next turn up in Japan. Hopefully it won't be too long because he is the best heavyweight and let's face it, it's been too long since we saw him jack Andrei Arlovski into the air.
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2) Josh Barnett (27-5)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 250
Currently fighting with: Free Agent
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gilbert Yvel - Win via submission (strikes) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Pedro Rizzo - Win via KO (punch) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Jeff Monson - Win via decision (unanimous) - World Victory Road: Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008
- vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - Win via submission (heel hook) - World Victory Road: Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: Much like Ken Shamrock & Seth Petruzelli can be "blamed" for the demise of Elite-XC, the same can now be said about Josh Barnett and Affliction. He tested positive for a steroid and is appealing the California State Athletic Commission's decision to not license him. At last check, he was not being suspended so depending on what happens, he may be able to work outside of the state (or simply, go back to Japan).
3) Brock Lesnar (4-1)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 265
Birthday: July 12, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Frank Mir - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Randy Couture - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Heath Herring - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Frank Mir - Loss via submission (kneebar) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Min Soo Kim - Win via submission (strikes) - K1 HERO's - Dynamite!! USA - June 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: Brock, the reigning UFC Champion, moves up one spot with his destruction of Mir. Voting was razor thin for the #2 spot with Barnett beating Brock by just one vote. Yes, Brock was #1 on one of the ballots cast by the 411 Staff this month, but after watching his win at UFC 100, it's not too hard to see him compete with Fedor.
4) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 231
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Frank Mir - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Heath Herring - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7th, 2007
- vs. Josh Barnett - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Josh Barnett - Loss via decision (split) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Randy Couture - UFC 102 - August 29, 2009
5) Frank Mir (12-4)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brock Lesnar - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Brock Lesnar - Win via submission (knee bar) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Antoni Hardonk - Win via submission (kimura) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Brandon Vera - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: Despite the fact he defeated Big Nog last December, Nogueira comes in ahead of Mir by one place. Some folks fell off the Mir band wagon after the loss and Mir showed up on some ballots as low as #8. Ouch~! What's next for the former champion? Wait and see.
6) Randy Couture (16-9)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brock Lesnar - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 - February 4, 2006
- vs. Mike Van Arsdale - Win via submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 54: Boiling Point - August 20, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - UFC 102 - August 29, 2009
7) Alistair Overeem (29-11)
Height: 6'5
Weight: 205
Birthday: May 17, 1980
Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
vs. Gary Goodridge - Win via submission (kimura) - Glory 10: Battle of Arnhem - November 9, 2008
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - No Contest (knee to the groin) - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Mark Hunt - Win via submission (keylock) - DREAM 5 - July 21, 2008
- vs. Tae Hyun Lee - Win via KO (punches) - DREAM 4 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Paul Buentello - Win via submission (knees to the body) - Strikeforce: 4 Men Enter, 1 Man Survives - November 16, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Injured (hand)
Comment: Previously scheduled to defend his Strikeforce belt against Fabricio Werdum, that fight is now off. Overeem is still nursing a hand injury that has plagued him since suffering it during a bar fight in his native land.
8) Cain Velasquez (6-0)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 242
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Cheick Kongo - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Denis Stojnic - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC Fight Night 17 - February 7, 2009
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC: Silva vs. Irvin - July 19, 2008
- vs. Brad Morris - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Jeremiah Constant - Win via TKO - BodogFIGHT: St Petersburg - December 16, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Shane Carwin - UFC 104 - October 24, 2009
9) Shane Carwin (11-0)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 259
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine - March 7, 2009
- vs. Neil Wain - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Christian Wellisch - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Sherman Pendergarst - win via TKO (strikes) - Ring of Fire 31: Undisputed - December 1, 2007
- vs. Rex Richards - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Art of War 4 - October 27, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Cain Velasquez - UFC 104 - October 24, 2009
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10) Andrei Arlovski (13-7)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: Free Agent
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brett Rogers - Loss via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields - June 6, 2009
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Loss via KO (punch) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Roy Nelson - Win via KO (punch) - EliteXC: Heat - October 4, 2008
- vs. Ben Rothwell - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
11) Gabriel Gonzaga (10-4)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 252
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shane Carwin - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine - March 7, 2009
- vs. Josh Hendricks - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Justin McCully - Win via submission (kimura) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Fabricio Werdum - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Randy Couture - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chris Tuchscherer - UFC 102 - August 29, 2009
12) Cheick Kongo (14-5-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 230
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Cain Velasquez - Loss via decision - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Antoni Hardonk - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 97: Redemption - April 18, 2009
- vs. Mustapha al Turk - Win via TKO (elbows and punches) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Dan Evensen - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Heath Herring - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
13) Brett Rogers (10-0)
Height: 6'5
Weight: 265
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields - June 6, 2009
- vs. Abongo Humphrey - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz - April 11, 2009
- vs. Jon Murphy - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Primetime - May 31, 2008
- vs. James Thompson - Win via KO (punch) - EliteXC: Street Certified - February 16, 2008
- vs. Ralph Kelly - Win via submission (strikes) - EliteXC: Renegade - November 10, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
14) Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (25-6)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 230
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mustapha Al-Turk - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Hong Man Choi - Win via TKO (low kick) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008
- vs. Alistair Overeem - No Contest (groin strike) - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Cheick Kongo - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Junior Dos Santos - UFC 103 - September 19, 2009
15) Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 242
Currently fighting with: Strikeforce
Last 5 wins:
- vs. Junior dos Santos - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Aleksander Emelianenko - Win via submission (choke) - 2H2H - Pride & Honor - November 12, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. TBA - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
Closing Comments: Others receiving votes include Jeff Monson, Junior Dos Santos, Ben Rothwell and Aleksander Emelianenko.
Please let Fedor come to the UFC and fight some of their guys so I can quit seeing him at the top of lists like these. I mean look at his list for the last four years...five whole fights in four years against crappy opponents? That's the best of the MMA heavyweights? And talk of him going to Japan where they handpick who will lose to you even more...just sad and frankly should pull him off a list like this totally if he won't come and fight the people on this list.
And I saw the note on why Barnett was still on there, but really after days of this news, you guys should have been able to make some quick changes to the article. Same thing with Allistar...I see talk of some saying his title should be stripped, he should be much lower b/c of his drama as well.
I just hope that the next season of TUF injects some much needed new blood into the heavyweight division.
Posted By: Jeremy S (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:02 AM
I've got to say ... huh?
Maybe it's just the flaw of having multiple people voting on rankings, but there is no way Nog should be ahead of Mir when his last fight was a loss to him.
Posted By: MKick (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:37 AM
so wait..
Barnett test positive for steroids, ruins an org and is still number 2? Oh by the way who has he beaten in his last 5 fights?
Nog is Number 4, and 1 spot a head of Mir, after Mir destroyed Nog.Oh by the way Mir has a win over the current UFC champ, and was an Interm champ.
AA is Number 10 after coming off Back to back first round KO's
Gabe is number 11 after beating 2 no names, and losing 3 of his last 5. Including a loss to Werdum who is ranked 15th, But Dos santos isnt ranked after Werdum got KTFO by him?
And Rodgers gets a top 15 spot for smashing the glass jaw of AA?
Worst Rankings ever.
Posted By: iceman22 (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Recent news completely messes with these rankings...
Carwin should be above Cain. Shane destroyed the higher ranked Gonzaga while Cain couldn't finish Cheick.
Sadly, even with the recent news, you can't really justify moving everyone around.... for as much as he fucked himself, Affliction, and the other fighters, Josh could still beat most anyone on this list.
Although, if neither of them are scheduled to fight someone of note relatively soon, a strong case could be made to drop BOTH Josh and Fedor down a few notches.... as the internet collapses for an ex-WWE guy gets ranked above Fedor.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Hey Jeremy S, I hope somebody injects some much needed sense into your brain because you have no clue what the fuck you are talking about. Honestly, have you watched anything MMA related pre-2008? Seriously. Fedor has beat EVERYBODY he has faced, save a freak stoppage due to a cut. Get over the fact that he hasn't beat the top names over the last few years. He DEMOLISHED Sylvia, who was top 10 at the time, and a former UFC CHAMPION. People actually thought Arlovski had a chance and it took him 1 fucking punch to knock him the fuck out! those same idiots say Arlovki's got a glass chin (he does) and that's why fedor won. You can't have it both ways. People were calling him out for not fighting top guys, he does (they were at the time) and still there's idiots out there that still won't give him his due... Seriously, where do you get off saying he should be pulled from the list should he not fight UFC guys? Nog, Rampage, Shogun, Silva,etc. they were all overseas before the UFC. It was the UFC that lacked the world's top talent up until a few years ago. to just so please don't shit on non UFC talent. The UFC's heavyweight division has been a joke, the belt being tossed around like a hot potato. Now all of a sudden fedor has to prove his worth by defeating the UFC's flavor of the month??? I pray to God Fedor comes to the UFC just so all you MMA know-nothings can shut up already and bury your heads in the sand. It makes me sick reading all these comments from a bunch of trendy, hop-on-the-bandwagon MMA fans who think they're experts on the subject because they've ordered a couple of PPV's and read up about it on the internet. Hey I like Brock, I love Carwin (and who the hell has he beat that merits him being worthy competition for the World's Greatest?) but do I think they can beat Fedor, hell no. The man is a machine, he will beat whoever is put in front of him and that is exactly what he has done over HIS ENTIRE CAREER. That is why he is ranked number 1 MMAmoron.
Posted By: Flitch (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 01:37 AM
Barnett above Lesnar, silly 411.
But hey, no one gives a crap about any HW after 7.
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 04:12 AM
how the f*ck is Barnett ranked as the #2 HW last year? or the year before? and even after all the recent shit, he's still #2... that's fu*king embarrassing.
Posted By: dale (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 05:33 AM
those arlovski pics are hilarious
Posted By: Guest#6908 (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Good list,agree with pretty much everything.
And pls dont listen to these Jeremy and Iceman comments
Posted By: Guest#1135 (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 08:10 AM
poor iceman22. did you ever learn to read or do you just recognize faces and numbers? Well, i guess it doesn't matter what i write in here since you can't read it anyway.
If you read the beginning of this article, he mentions that this was done BEFORE Affliction tumbled because of Barnett's stupidity. I think Hooked on Phonics can work for you too
Posted By: GeeSpotter (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 09:16 AM
aw look, it only took a few posts for someone to insult me for not thinking Fedor is a god. Sorry to hurt your feelings. I've watched MMA since I first saw UFC1 since you asked...was that pre-2008? speaking of which, this is not a list of greatest HW for 2008, pre-2008 or anything of the sort....let me check todays date...aw it's 2009. This is a list of greatest HW now. And I'm sorry, but until Fedor fights someone decent, he doesn't deserve to stay at the top of lists like these. Again...trying to figure out who you are calling a moron and telling to get sense since you can't figure this out: This is not a list of best career, it's a list of best HW right now. Something you can't seem to understand since you keep talking about what happened five years ago. But I guess that's why you guys think Fedor beating guys that were hot five years ago is a big deal.
I've watched the bookings for him for the last four years. (which goes back before 08 btw) and they book him like they were booking Kimbo. Against big names from years ago or freak fights that will get PPV buys, but won't risk him losing and them losing their cash cow fighter champ. Hell, I'm starting to wonder if he is making it so hard to work with UFC b/c he is worried about fighting real fighters.
Silvia sucked as a UFC champ, the HW div was very weak when he was champ (it is still in need of growth today). Arlofski and Silvia have proved they aren't big time...personally I don't think Silvia ever was. And I do think Brock needs to keep beating fighters to improve his rep; but at least he is fighting all comers.
Save your insults for after your boyfriend comes and fights some big names and wins while they are still at the top of their game. But I'm sure you hope he goes to Japan, gets set up in more protected matches and gets to keep pretending he is an mma god.
Posted By: Jeremy S (Registered) on July 28, 2009 at 09:53 AM
"Yes, Brock was #1 on one of the ballots cast by the 411 Staff this month"
Posted By: punchdrunk (Registered) on July 28, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Why is Arlovski ahead of Rogers?
Posted By: FUDGE (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 10:06 AM
To start - Barnett should be no where near #2 on this list. He is a cheater. This is strike 2. We now have to assume all of his big wins were roid aided.
I think my posts the past few weeks to these rankings have pretty much established that I am mainly a UFC guy, and believe they are the best fighters. With that said, Fedor is #1. Period. His record is too impressive. I would love to see him fight better competition and defend that ranking - he's at least made a batter effort with the Afflction fights.
UFC Heavys should go Lesnar, Mir or Couture, and then Big Nog. Can't rank Big Nog over Mir. I think we are going to find out very shortly that there is zero shame in losing to Lesnar (unless he embarrasses you afterwards).
Rest of the list looks good. Rogers should be ahead of Arlovski.
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Overeem and Velazquez over Carwin? Really?
Posted By: Guest guest (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I understand the Fedor love but I don't agree with ranking him no 1 at this point.
When he was undisputed world no 1 he was also fighting in the richest talent pool in the heavyweight MMA world. At that point the UFC heavyweight division was relatively week and noone really saw Sylvia or Arlovski as a geuine threat to Fedor (which proved subsequently correct). However, now that you have Lesnar, Big Nog, Mir, Couture and others all in the UFC then Fedor's position as no 1 must come into question.
It's a pity about Barnett but it makes Fedor's position pretty difficult. I think he probably would defeat Lesnar although it may not be quite as easy as some seem to think but how long can he remain top of the rankings when he isn't facing the top competition?
I genuinely think that Brock should be no1 because he is in possesion of the only belt that matters. Fedor just has to come and get it.
Posted By: Nax (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Please let Fedor come to the UFC and fight some of their guys so I can quit seeing him at the top of lists like these.
Posted By: Jeremy S (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Look, I'm as much of a UFC supporter as the next guy, but Fedor's record speaks for itself: he hasn't lost in over *TWENTY FIVE* fights - amongst which have been 4 former UFC World Heavyweight Champions (Coleman twice, Randleman, Sylvia and Arlovski) and an interim champ (Nog twice + a no contest).
I will say that the way he whipped Mir's ass, Lesnar should have been #2 even before The Roid Monkey failed his test again.
Posted By: Ryan (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I like that people talk about Fedor fighting "nobodies" yet Lesnar has wins over Heath Herring, a Randy Couture who was 15 months removed from competition, and a dude who got smashed by Marcio Cruz and Brandon Vera before cleanly beating Brock two fights prior to Lesnar's win over him.
Posted By: punchdrunk (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 11:57 AM
love the pic of mir looking scared,bloody, bruised and confused while brock scolds him like his mommy.
Posted By: beerslayer (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 12:10 PM
again guys, this list is about "what have you done for me lately" not someone's overall lifetime record, otherwise there would be a lot of different fighters on the list and no rules about them having to have competed within the last year.
I don't care who Fedor beat six+ years ago. I care about the fact that he has been carefully "booked" fights the last few years and hasn't beaten guys any better than Brock has. And no, I don't think Brock has beat guys that are supermen either, that's my point. Brock has at least fought guys that are belt contenders, Fedor has fought guys that were contenders years and years ago and can't be anymore or never could be the last few years.
(And I find it amusing that some of the same people that said Brock would lose to Mir or Couture and saying Mir and Couture are nothing now...at least they are both on the top HW list. Both above Fedors closest..Arlovski)
I want to see Fedor fighting the best heavyweights and earn the right to be called current top heavyweight. I won't deny the guy is good and a top heavyweight of mma history...but if this sport is to grow it can't do like Tyson and live off of famous names from history. Which is what they have been doing with Fedor, what they tried to do to a smaller extent with Kimbo. And what they do a lot of still in Japan. MMA needs to leave that sort of crap behind.
Posted By: Jeremy S (Registered) on July 28, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Barnett at #2 over Brock and even Mir is criminal. Also to the people yelling at Jeremy, shut the fuck up. This is not his list. This is a list compiled from all the 411Mania MMA writers.
Posted By: stronelis (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 01:56 PM
I like that people talk about Fedor fighting "nobodies" yet Lesnar has wins over Heath Herring, a Randy Couture who was 15 months removed from competition, and a dude who got smashed by Marcio Cruz and Brandon Vera before cleanly beating Brock two fights prior to Lesnar's win over him.
Posted By: punchdrunk (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Punchdrunk - I am curious. Who in Fedor's last 3 years of fights would you say is a tougher fight than Couture or Mir? Both of those wins to me are more impressive than beating Linland or Sylvia. No?
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 02:01 PM
i've always had issue for how highly ranked barnett was, but to have him ranked at all, let alone at number two after he has been popped for the third fcking time is insulting.....morons, you're all morons.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I agree with Jeremey S. Fedor has won 5 fights in 4 years, and not against top class opposition either, Arlovski during his time at the top of the UFC, maybe would have been a credible win, but then this is the same guy who got killed by Brett Rogers (who?). Big Timmy? Nah, since the Randy fight, he's not even worthy of being in the top 10.
Barnett number 2? A guy who failed a piss test to get out of having his face smashed up is the 2nd best heavyweight in the world? Over the guy who has beaten Heath Herring, Randy Cotoure and the only man to ever stop Big Nog (something even the mighty Fedor couldn't accomplish) and is the reigning heavyweight champion of the biggest MMA organization in the world?
Posted By: Gorsty (Guest) on July 28, 2009 at 03:33 PM
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