411's MMA Rankings 11.03.09: Light Heavyweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 11.03.2009
411mania returns with the best of the light heavyweight division in MMA. Lyoto Machida is still the champion but is he the number one fighter? Rampage maintains he is retired, but is he a top-five fighter anymore? Gegard Mousasi fights on CBS this weekend, see where he is ranked. Shogun Rua opened our eyes but after defeat, has he dropped down the list? Check out all that plus the potential return of Tito Ortiz in this week's MMA rankings.
Welcome to the latest 411mania MMA rankings as we check out the best light heavyweights in the sport. We are more than a week past one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the division as Lyoto Machida retained his UFC championship. Shogun Rua came oh so close to defeating the Dragon but came away with nothing but an idea of how to defeat him in their future rematch. Has the backlash towards Machida effected his top ranking? How about Shogun Rua? There were several people who did not invest much thought into his knockout win over Chuck Liddell. How about his showing against the champion? Can a Shogun get some love?
The Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is Gegard Mousasi and he is fighting (in non-title action) this Saturday night on CBS against Sokoudjou. Mousasi is one of the most explosive fighters in the sport. Watch this Saturday night and ask yourself whether Mousasi can leap over Anderson Silva when we next rank the 205ers.
Another big fight this month in this division just happens to be the main event of UFC 106 in just over two weeks. Forrest Griffin looks to rebound from his losses to Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva and avenge a previous loss at the same time. He will fight the returning TITO ORTIZ~! Yep, the Huntington Beach Bad Boy is back in the UFC and looking to return to the top of the mountain. Ortiz has not been ranked in a long time due to inactivity. Let's see whether Ortiz's strategy in 2006 will work again (TAKEDOWNS) or whether Griffin has improved his ground defense.
Also on that show will be a fight between Luiz Cane and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, both top-ten ranked fighters. The winner will have a BIG step up in arguably, the most stacked division in the sport.
You guys must love the BCS. It's the only thing I know of that compares to your continued support Edgar being ranked about Maynard.
Posted By: AdamS We have explained Edgar's placement over the past few months.
I think what would probably help Gray is if he actually finished a fight. He has not finished a fight in quite a long time. Like Kenny said, I wanna see fight finished at 155.
Posted By: A. Coolman
there is NO WAY Joe Stevenson or Sean Sherk should be ranked higher than Clay Guida...so why isn't guida on this list??
Posted By: RP While Guida is an entertaining fighter, he is not a top ten lightweight right now. Whether he should be ranked at all is arguable. His big wins are against Nate Diaz and Mac Danzig. Stevenson's big wins are against Diaz, Spencer Fisher and Gleison Tibau. As for Sherk, he is still considered a top lightweight and despite the recent close loss to Edgar, he did punish Tyson Griffin.
Harris must be smoking crack. Florian at 14 with Stevenson above him???? Did you see their fight???
Posted By: lowe I thought that was doughnut powder?
Solomon - In response to your response on my comment last week.
I was not stating that nogueira was run out i was referring to Werdum. You seemed to have missed my point. I was not arguing anyones placement ahead of couture other than Rogers and Werdum. As i said in the comment I understand the drop for Randy I just strongly disagree that he has fallen below Rogers and Werdum as I feel he would own either one of them.
Posted By: stronelis I'd agree with you about Couture/Rogers but Couture/Werdum would be one hell of a fight. There are some who feel Couture's time as a threat in the heavyweight division is over, though.
Why should Guida be ranked above Sherk or Stevenson?
Stevenson's last three loses have been against Penn, Florian and Sanchez and he's on a two fight win streak.
Sherk's also won his last fight and he's beaten two men on this list while Guida hasn't.
Posted By: K. Bett
Halloween 2008 Light Heavyweight Rankings:
1. Forrest Griffin
2. Quinton Jackson
3. Lyoto Machida
4. Wanderlei Silva
5. Rashad Evans
6. Shogun Rua
7. Thiago Silva
8. Keith Jardine
9. Chuck Liddell
10. Luiz Cane
Tito Ortiz, Vladimir Matyushenko, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Rich Franklin were "On The Bubble."
THE CREW
The 411 MMA staff have decided to pull back the curtain and reveal the great 411 Oz. After some consideration, for the the first time in the soon-to-be two-year history of 411 MMA Rankings that you will be able to see which knucklehead put which fighter where.
So here are the nuts and bolts, the breakdown of the rankings from your favorite 411 MMA personalities:
Patrick Mullin
1) Lyoto Machida
2) Rampage Jackson
3) Rashad Evans
4) Shogun Rua
5) Anderson Silva
6) Gegard Mousasi
7) Forrest Griffin
8) Renato Babalu Sobral
9) Luis Cane
10) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
11) Jon Jones
12) Thiago Silva
13) Vladimir Matyushenko
14) Keith Jardine
15) Rich Franklin
- 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, please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking, and write in a language that has the ability to be read by most, if not all. That would be most helpful. Thank you.
- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the staff of 411mania. Therefore, if you don't like where a fighter is ranked, don't hate the playa, hate the game.
411's Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Lyoto Machida (16-0)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: May 3, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shogun Rua - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 104: Dragon vs. Shogun - October 24, 2009
- vs. Rashad Evans - Win via knockout (punches) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009
- vs. Thiago Silva - Win via knockout (punches) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Injured
Comment: Machida is recuperating from hand surgery and once he gets a grasp on how well he is rehabbing, then the UFC can look to book the rematch.
2) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-4)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 104: Dragon vs. Shogun - October 24, 2009
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 97: Redemption - April 18, 2009
- vs. Mark Coleman - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson - January 17, 2009
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via KO (strikes) - PRIDE 33: Second Coming - February 24, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: For the first time in my memory, a fighter jumps up three spots to #2 after losing his last fight. Shogun Rua displayed a solid gameplan against the champion but could not finish the task. He is set to get a rematch ASAP, once Machida is healthy.
3) Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (30-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine - March 7, 2009
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Retired
4) Rashad Evans (13-1-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via knockout (punches) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thiago Silva - UFC 108 - January 2, 2010
5) Anderson Silva (25-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 101: Declaration - August 8, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Injured
6*) Gegard Mousasi (29-2-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM and Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Babalu Sobral - Win via KO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
- vs. Mark Hunt - Win via submission (kimura) - DREAM 9: Featherweight Grand Prix 2009 Second Round - May 26, 2009
- vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza - Win via KO (upkick) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Melvin Manhoef - Win via submission (triangle choke) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Dong Sik Yoon - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Sokoudjou - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers - November 7, 2009
6*) Forrest Griffin (16-6)
Height: 6'3
Birthday: July 1, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss by KO (strikes) - UFC 101: Declaration - August 8, 2009
- vs. Rashad Evans - Loss by TKO (punches) - UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Mauricio Rua - Win by submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Hector Ramirez - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - July 16, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
8) Thiago Silva (14-1)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: November 12, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via KO - UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira - August 29, 2009
- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn - January 31, 2009
- vs. Antonio Mendes - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Houston Alexander - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Tomasz Drwal - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 108 - January 2, 2010
9) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: June 2, 1976
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dion Staring - Win via submission (triangle choke) - Jungle Fight: Ceara - May 9, 2009
- vs. Vladimir Matyushenko - Win via TKO (strikes) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Moise Rimbon - Win via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008
- vs. Edwin Dewees - Win via TKO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Todd Gouwenberg - Win via TKO - HCF - Destiny - February 1, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Luiz Cane - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
10) Luiz Cane (10-1)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: February 4, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Steve Cantwell - Win via decision (unanimous) - UC 97: Redemption - April 18, 2009
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. James Irvin - Loss via DQ (knee to the head on the ground) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. James Damien Stelly - Win via KO (knee) - Art Of War 3 - September 1, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
11) Renato "Babalu" Sobral (32-8)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: July 9, 1975
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gegard Mousasi - Loss via KO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via submission (darce choke) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Bobby Southworth - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage due to a cut) - Strikeforce: Destruction - November 21, 2008
- vs. Mike Whitehead - Win via decision (unanimous) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Rodney Glunder - Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) - PFP: Ring of Fire - December 9, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
12) Rich Franklin (25-5)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: October 5, 1974
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Vitor Belfort - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 103: Belfort vs. Franklin - September 19, 2009
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson - January 17, 2009
- vs. Matt Hamill - Win via TKO (kick to the body) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- vs. Travis Lutter - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2 - April 19, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
13*) Jonathan Jones (9-0)
Height: 6'4
Birthday: July 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Win via submission (D'arce choke) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- vs. Andre Gusmao - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek and Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Moyses Gabin - Win via TKO (punches) - Battle Cage Xtreme 5 - July 12, 2008
- vs. Parker Porter - Win via KO (punch) - WCF 3 - June 20, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Matt Hamill - UFC Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale - December 5, 2009
13*) Keith Jardine (14-6-1)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: October 31, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Thiago Silva - Loss via KO - UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira - August 29, 2009
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine - March 7, 2009
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via decision (split) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win by decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
15) Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: January 4, 1971
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Igor Pokrajac - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 103: Belfort vs. Franklin - September 19, 2009
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via decision (unanimous) - Call to Arms 1 - May 16, 2009
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - Loss via TKO (strikes) - Affliction: Day Of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Jamal Patterson - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: New Jersey - April 4, 2008
- vs. Alex Schoenauer - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - World Grand Prix Semifinals - November 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Final Notes: Others receiving votes include Matt Hamill and Tomasz Drwal.
Yes..you explained Edgar's placement. And its exactly the logic the BCS uses, which was my comment.
Posted By: AdamS (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Interesting list, especially the statistical ties, but no real complaints.
Posted By: Last_Rider (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 12:26 AM
Good list. I may be inclined to put my grandmother above Jardine at this point though.
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 01:19 AM
Keith Jardine - GTFO of this list.
Rest is fine... in case of Jardine, it's not what you've done, it's what you've done for me lately... and that's lose, lose, win unimpressively, lose.
Posted By: DoctorOfStyle (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 01:26 AM
Shogun is a little high rated. I mean, he had a good game plan, but if he was really #2 caliber, it would of led to a unanimous win. I still think Rampage should be 1, Lyoto 2, Shogun 3...
Posted By: Craig (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 03:06 AM
if he wanted to, anderson silva could be number one on this list .. too bad machida won
Posted By: wylun (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 05:39 AM
When you look at Forrest and you see Loss, Loss in the last two fights, you think, "Why is he #6???" Then you look at his last for fights and you see:
Loss vs #5
Loss vs #4
Win vs #3
Win vs #2
And that puts it all back in perspective for you. I hope the Forrest haters decide to look at the facts and after Forrest demolishes Tito they'll come back to their senses.
Posted By: King Durin (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Bader should be mentioned more, certainly above Drwazl who by the way is now a MW. He could easily be top 15, possibly above the Janitor.
Posted By: Guest#0804 (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 09:35 AM
I wonder where Henderson might slot in on this list. It would be really interesting to see how he matches up with Rashad.
Posted By: ArcHavok (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 10:34 AM
good list, vlad should be higher than glass joe jardine and i'll predict little nog beats the overated luis cane at UFC 106.
Posted By: paaaaar (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 11:07 AM
i think the next 2 months are gonna be pretty telling for the LHW division. if Nogueira puts on a good performance he should jump forrest and if mousassi dominates Sokoudjou he should jump rashad who has absolutely nothing to gain fighting thiago silva. shogun shouldnt be ranked number 2 after one fight. yea he had a good game plan, and executed well, but looked terrible against coleman, and bottom line he's 2-2 in the UFC. thats not arguable. if rampage wasn't bipolar i would have the list as
1 Lyoto
2 Rampage
3 Shogun
4 Silva
5 Rashad
6 Mousassi
Posted By: buddha (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 03:19 PM
If you are going to include Anderson Silva, he needs to be higher than 5. #2 and #3 lost to griffin, who to say got embarrassed by Silva is an understatement. Then you have rampage jackson over evans. Jackson loses to Griffin and evans beats him. Until they fight, where is the logic putting jackson ahead of evans? Good try though.
Posted By: Guest#5510 (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 05:05 PM
I'm very much looking forward to Matt Hamill v. Jon "Bones" Jones.
I don't want to see either of them lose. They both seem like good dudes.
Posted By: A. Coolman (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Thiago Silva is the baddest mother fucka in the land.
Posted By: Adam (Guest) on November 04, 2009 at 10:36 AM
