411's MMA Rankings 08.11.09: Lightweight Division

Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 08.11.2009

BJ Penn retained gold inside the octagon as well as the #1 ranking again, but where did all the other top UFC contenders rank? How far did Kenny Florian drop? Which new fighters found their way onto the list this month? Check out the full article to see where everyone ranked!

Welcome back for another helping of the best MMA rankings (oh yeah, you know it~!) going. This week we take a look at the best 155ers in the world in the aftermath of UFC 101 and WEC 42. And Strikeforce's next show is still less than a week away.

BJ Penn proved again why he is the best lightweight in the world with a great fourth round submission victory over top challenger, Kenny Florian. Penn never gassed in the fight and appeared to be in as good a shape as he has ever been. It appears like it will take a special kind of upset to take his gold away. Meanwhile, in Japan, Shinya Aoki defeated Shaolin Ribeiro in what may have been a lackluster fight in terms of entertainment, but it cemented Aoki's place as the silver place holder here.

Strikeforce goes live on Showtime this Saturday night and one of the key fights will be for their interim lightweight title when Gilbert Melendez takes on Mitsuhiro Ishida. Ishida is not a ranked fighter this month so if he can pull of the win (he has a win over Melendez before), the rankings will shake up.

Enough with the chitter chatter, let's get to business.

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FEEDBACK to Last Week's Pound for Pound Rankings
From (ironically) hater: shogun is a joke!!! doesn't deserve to be ranked at all!!!!
A joke? I must have missed it. Why doesn't he deserve to be ranked...at all?

From CK: BULLL! How on earth can Machida be ranked ahead of Anderson Silva? Is that a joke? Sure he seems amazing right now but the opponents he has beaten doesn't compare yet to the list of elite fighters Anderson has made look like rookies to the game.
Well, Machida may be the hottest fighter on some peoples minds. Silva has beaten everyone they put in front of him. Really, you cannot go wrong either way in my book.


From Stevie: So Anderson Silva can toy with his opposition and still dominate them, beat elite fighters in under 2 rounds and win a record 9 UFC fights in a row yet he drops off the top of this list??? If it was most entertaining fighters i would understand but this is ridiculous! World class athletes are actually scared to fight Silva!
PFP is a tough class, everyone at the top of the list is dominant.



From wylun: i cant wait to see fedor fall on these rankings..
Well, whenever (that is, if he ever does lose) Fedor loses, he will fall a bit. Not a lot, but a bit.


From Jeremy S:
If you want to call someone the best, they have to be fighting the best and he isn't. And he hasn't for half a decade now. Anyways...I'm glad to see GSP at the top. Even though he isn't my fav fighter, he has proven himself. And I would still expect Fedor on this list, but would rather see:

GSP, Silva, Fedor, Machida (I think machida needs to defend his belt as a champ for a bit before we get carried away; but he is an awesome fighter). I don't know that I would have ranked Mike Brown so high, I was very unimpressed he was unable to finished Urijah after both his hands were unable to be used for several rounds. But choices get slim once you get out of five or so fighters.
You knock Brown for not finishing Faber...but he did it in their first fight. If anything, Brown showed that he was plain dominant over Faber. In two fights, he never was in danger of losing. As for Fedor, no question he's the best heavyweight of all time. Best right now? You can argue either way.


From Cyks:
It's not like Brock only has his size to rely on... if that were the case, Sapp, Choi, and Esch would have had far better careers.
True, but his size is a gigantic part of his success. If Brock is not 30-50 pounds heavier than Couture, does he win that fight? Until we see Brock in a fight where he cannot simply knock someone out or take them down and pound them out, but have to go from half-guard to side control or defend his back from a rear naked choke and all that good technical stuff, Brock is a dominant big dude with awesome wrestling and power.




From sensitive JeremyS again:
In addition: Silvia washed out of UFC, so he obviously wasn't that good and most fans considered him a weak champ when he was there. No history needs rewriting. The dude sucks, you act like he was awesome until a choke out from Fedor just changed his life and put him on the road to suck town. And I've recognized Arlovski was a top HW, I just don't think he should be (see, I can argue about Fedor's ranking and Arlovski's without changing history) But even so, at the time I was pointing out that Brock had beaten higher ranked fighters than Fedor had in the last few years, even with the rankings I do or don't agree with.
Sylvia was one of the best heavyweights in the sport at the time. Saying otherwise is just trying to sound cool. He wasn't elite and he wasn't a top 4 guy, but he was not the joke he is currently. Arlovski's career has just fallen apart due to his chin, a shame.


From bullfrog24: this rankings is a joke...anderson sivla plays with his opposition in his last 2 fights while fedor fights 5 times in the last 4 years yet is still top 3?? Brock, frank mir
What's Frank Mir have to do with anything?


From Jeff:
After destructions of Herring, Couture and Mir is Brock Lesnar really not worthy of your top 15??? He's the best big man ever in MMA, makes a guy like Tim Sylvia look second rate in comparison. A little objectivity please...
How are we not being objective? He may be the best big man ever, but this is not about the biggest guys or else Miguel Torres would not be here. Can't have it both ways.



From Brad:
Absolute joke, Silva is the P4P king. GSP may dominate his competition but Silva makes them look like retards to be honest. Also screw Fedor, its hard to rate someone when it really does appear he is avoiding the top promotion.
The lack of Silva love is just sad. The man hasn't lost in 9 UFC fights! He's beaten competition at a higher weight class! He made two contenders look like hacks!

Boo-urns 411mania, you failed miserably this time.
Both GSP & Silva have plain dominated their opponents. I wouldn't argue their degress of domination. But GSP is not viewed as boring as Silva was (recall, the rankings were done & feedback provided prior to UFC 101). That has something to do with it.



From Summer Twilight:
Personally, I'd of had Machida at number one. He's not my favourite, but he's unbeaten and arguably the most unstoppable person right now. The guy damn well destroyed Rashad Evans, something nobody had ever done. He's got styles like no other and we still haven't even seen him at his complete best. The only person I feel worthy enough of beating him to the top spot is Anderson Silva, for the exact same reasons as Machida.

Fedor is ranked way too high as usual. When he steps up and takes on the best, then I'll start taking him seriously. Until then, he should NEVER be second on this list, ahead of guys who have fought ten times stronger competetion and looked even more dominating (Machida for one).

Lesnar should also make the list, probably near the bottom. He defeated Randy and let's be honest, he made Mir look almost laughable. He's the biggest name in MMA right now and although I know he's not the ultimate best, he's looking nearly unstoppable right now.

I'd also probably throw Diego Sanchez in around 15th too, certainly deserving.
Lesnar may be unstoppable...until someone catches his leg. Machida, Silva and GSP all look dominant.


From mstrong73:
Rather than nitpick choices on the list i just want to agree with the Miguel Torres love, I cannot wait for this next WEC card. If you aren't watching you are missing out on amazing fights. I would love to see if he could beef up and come to the UFC at 155 but I am very happy to watch him on free TV
What happened to Torres?!


From SoulBrotherNo1:
Good list,agree with everything. I would put Shogun above Griffin,but thats only a nitpick. Maybe Torres higher too,if everybody would be the same size,he would wreck havoc,he might be the most well rounded fighter we have ever seen not named GSP.

And to cyks: Brock DOES NOT deserve a top15 ranking p4p. He is a one-dimensional GnP guy with insane size. But size doesnt count here. So why would Brock be higher than for example Gray Maynard or Yushin Okami?
Again, WTF happened to Torres?! (same thing that happened to GSP I reckon)


From Wyatt Beougher:
Okay, I'm sick of all the Fedor nonsense - in the heavyweight rankings, fine, but this is P4P, and I have no problem with his inclusion on this list. That said, I can't understand how Miguel Torres is tied for 4th. He's got a better record than Fedor, he's shown nothing but dominance since winning the WEC title (and, actually, long before that), and he's got an amazing combination of strength, speed, power, and skill that would translate well into the theoretical realms of these rankings. I realize that GSP, Fedor, and Anderson Silva are the "trendy" picks for these rankings, but isn't it time you guys actually looked at things from a fresh perspective? (And no, bringing the new trendy pick of Machida into the mix doesn't count.)



From Grid:
Machida and Spider should be ahead of Fedor... not only have they fought better competition, they did not duck the top competition in the world to sign with a weaker company to keep their (and M-1 Global's) legacy intact.



From David:
On this list, a guy that has never lost a match, much less a round, should be ranked third? o__O I guess the writers must be from Bizarro World or something. Next time, I would suggest not enjoying "chemical refreshments" prior to making your contribution.
Machida may be undefeated by he has not fought the best of the best of his division...yet. GSP and Silva are clearly proven gods who have dominated nearly every opponent since becoming champions. Machida is still to be tested.


From MJH:
GSP at 1 is a great choice. he is just dominating right now. Unbeatable.

I never thought it would get to this, but F Fedor. He doesn't have his best interest or the fan's best interest in mind - all he cares about is his stupid M1 manager. Dude's on a guaranteed 5 year bender without beating a top contendor at his peak. He's dead to me.

I can't believe how people are turning on Silva. Isn't he on a UFC record winning streak? He didn't slip up against Matt Serra. on-exciting wins are still wins.

Still don't quite get the BJ Penn love. Hasn't he lose every welterweight fight the past 5 years. Isn't that the definition of P4P?

Love the ranking of Torres, Brown and Faber. 3 beats.

I agree that Brock does not belong on this list yet. He is bigger and stronger than everyone else - take away the bigger (the point of a P4P ranking) and he may still be stronger - but I don't think it equates to dimination a la GSP. Does a 265 lb Lesnar out wrestle a 265 lb GSP? A 265 pound Guida even? I'm not sure - yet.



From madliberator:
cut these guys out right off the bat..
Griffin
Rampage (love the guy but...)
Shogun
Fitch
Rashad
Florian

They are all good, but P4P..nah

- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via KTFO (punch of doom) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009

Fucking hilarious!! Punch of Doom!

Next to Rampage giving Wanderlei the "You Sank My Battleship" Right hook that was the best punch i've seen in a minute!

You know what, there is something to shortening this PFP list. Does anyone think Jon Fitch or Kenny Florian or Diego Sanchez, etc. are PFP top notch quality? You know, the elite of the elite?


From PD:
"...most of the mma world new Silvia was no longer considered a threat and at the time Arlovski might have seemed some sort of threat to guys that make lists like this...but we are finding out he has a glass jaw."

Call me crazy, but I agree with this guy. Really, who have Arvlosky and TIm beat besides themselves? Didn't Tim test positive for roids after his first title win? Who has he beat since? A couple of has beens and a guy that can't decide whether he's a heavy or light heavy? Didn't he lose to a guy Fedor already beat twice prior to fighting Fedor. Not even by decision, but got choked out?

I admit that last year I said TIm had a better chance than most, but that was based on well, there not really being anyone other than Arvlosky and Barnett being available.

People keep bringing up his 4 victories over former champs. Two guys were smaller, one dimensional wrestlers and 2 guys were, regardless of where some people decide they should have been ranked, weren't very good champions. Were any of these guys good champions? And in Coleman's case, the dude was champ back in the day when basically all you had to do was show up uninjured and know how to wrestle. Not to mention he didn't fight Fedor until 6 or years after he lost the belt.

Nothing I say can take a win away from Fedor and that's not my point. Records are nice to point to and say "see, look at that. He's never lost" Well neither has Floyd Mayweather and there's always questions about him ducking opponents because he didn't think it would make him money. Which, hell I agree with. In a physical job like MMA/Boxing, you should get as much money as you can. But it doesn't stop history from saying "would he be undefeated if he fought this guy in his prime? Would he be undefeated if he fought this guy instead of the mandatory challenger hand picked by his promoters?"

That's how I feel about Fedor sometimes. Let him fight one of the up and comers (Brock, Carwin, etc.) let me see Fedor/Couture before the guy turns 50. Hell, I want to see how Fedor does against a motivated Frank Mir. That's what I as a fan want to see. I want him to go against guys who are doing stuff now. Not people dropped to the undercard before they left UFC or left UFC after a loss, or were in UFC in 96.



From Vordeo:
The top 4 are pretty interchangeable, though I'd have Machida at #4 due to the other's longevity. Wait for a title defense before putting him over Silva at least.

Hendo should be higher, just below Brown I reckon, and only because he doesn't hold a belt.

Lesnar is a prick, but really should be on there, probably in place of Griffin. I'd throw Hansen on there somewhere as well, personally.
That's the thing about the top, they're all so good it's tough to distinguish one above the other. What does Lesnar being a prick (who knows, I've never met the man) have to do with anything? :)

From Kevin:
GSP's victory was "dominant" and looks "unstoppable." What about Anderson Silva? His last two opponents came nowhere close to putting him any sort of danger. Now, for the SECOND time, he will move up in weight just to challenge himself. He is light years above GSP on the this list. GSP fought a lightweight, and if he decides to move up, there is no doubt in my mind what will happen. Silva is above him for the simple fact that he dominates his weight class WITH EASE and moves to a different weight class just to give him self a challenge. How is GSP above Silva? Silva's last performance was 'lackluster' but GSP's last performance wasn't? Maybe that's a testament to Thiago Alves heart over Thales Leites-
Ouch, it's rare we see GSP hate.


From Jeremy S:
Personally I think a best P4P list should only consist of maybe five fighters, maybe ten. But it should be a shorter list than just a list of top weightclass fighters.
Perhaps you are correct in that the best PFP guys do not go 15-deep like the average division.



From K. Bett:
Fedor's not number one, so I've got less to complain about. I don't think Machida should be above Silva, simply based on competition. He's beat Rashad and who? A very overweight BJ Penn years ago and Rich Franklin also several years ago.

The only real knock on Silva is that he doesn't kill bitches dead when knows they aren't near his level and UFC is more concerned with a stand up war than #1 contender vs champion match up i.e. Okami/Maia vs Silva.
UFC wants exciting fights which is why you won't be seeing either Okami or Maia fight Silva anytime soon. Hell, they may allow Silva to fight strictly at 205.


From Shawno420:
Good to see Silva finally getting the respect he deserves..... less then he's always gotten. You guys want to say how Fedor hasn't faced anyone good lately, Silva hasn't beat anyone that was a legit challenger since Dan Henderson. You are a bunch of hypocrites. Fedor beats 2 former UFC champions(whether they are good or not, they are former champs) which means shit, but Silva stood there and was scared to go to the ground with Leites and that makes him the best P4P fighter.....
If anyone should be the top P4P fighter it should be GSP, so I'm glad it is. Also Torres should be #3.
Some think Silva could beat Fedor...what would you say to that?


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. Shinya Aoki

4. Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante

5. Eddie Alvarez

6. Sean Sherk

7. Gilbert Melendez

8. Kenny Florian

9. Tyson Griffin

10. Joachim Hansen

Roger Huerta, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Vitor Ribeiro, Joe Stevenson, K.J. Noons and Josh Thomson 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.

* denotes a statistical tie.






411's Official MMA Rankings

Lightweight Division (155 lbs)





1) B.J. Penn (14-5-1)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: December 13, 1978

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Kenny Florian - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 101: Declaration - August 8, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

Comment: The best.

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2) Shinya Aoki (21-4)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: May 9, 1983

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Vitor Ribeiro - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 10 - July 20, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Joachim Hansen - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009

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3) Kenny Florian (11-4)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: May 26, 1976

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. BJ Penn - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 101: Declaration - August 8, 2009

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- Currently Unknown

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4) 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 11 - October 6, 2009

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5) 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

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6) 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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7*) 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? I ask again as he drops due to inactivity following his Bellator run.

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7*) 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. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009

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9*) 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 (likely to fight BJ Penn next)

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9*) 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

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11*) Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (14-3-1)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: July 6, 1983

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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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:

- vs. Gleison Tibau - UFC 104 - October 24, 2009

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13) Gray Maynard (7-0)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: May 9, 1979

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jim Miller - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine - March 7, 2009

- vs. Rich Clementi - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008

- vs. Frank Edgar - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008

- vs. Dennis Siver - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 12 - January 23, 2008

- vs. Joe Veres - Win via KO - UFC Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Roger Huerta - UFC Fight Night 19 - September 16, 2009

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14) 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

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15) Tyson Griffin (13-2)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: April 20, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Rafael dos Anjos - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann - April 1, 2009

- vs. Sean Sherk - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008

- vs. Marcus Aurelio - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008

- vs. Gleison Tibau - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008

- vs. Thiago Tavares - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Hermes Franca - UFC 103 - September 19, 2009





Final Notes: Other fighters receiving votes include Clay Guida, Vitor Ribeiro, Donald Cerrone, Jamie Varner, Spencer Fisher and Mitsuhiro Ishida.

Note that Joachim Hansen remains eligible to be ranked because he has an officially scheduled fight on the calendar. YAY@#$!