411's MMA Rankings 12.08.09: Light Heavyweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 12.08.2009
Rampage Jackson announces his return, but is he more dangerous than Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva? Lil Nog debuted in the UFC with a BANG, but can he crack the top five? Griffin avenged a a loss and Bones Jones earned his first, did either fighter make an impact with voters? Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture returned, are they still among the best?
Welcome back to what was considered the best division in the sport not too long ago. Do you still consider it the best? Things to a lot more interesting when Rampage Jackson "unretired" and said he wants to fight Rashad Evans to finish his UFC contract. I hope Rashad is focused on the task at hand, that being Thiago Silva.
Bones Jones was handed his first career defeat via disqualification due to illegal elbows. He may have an 'L' on his record, but he looked dominant against a very tough opponent in Matt Hamill. Jones is only 22-years old, does that mean a potential future dream fight is opposite Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi?
Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz both returned to active competition in the UFC's light heavyweight division. Couture won an uninspiring fight against Brandon Vera while Ortiz lost (a fight that was not close) to Forrest Griffin. I had big doubts whether Ortiz would receive votes and was surprised Couture placed this month. However, I would still pick Couture to defeat the likes of Babalu and Vladimir Matyushenko.
Dan Henderson signed with Strikeforce this week and there is no news on whether he intends to fight at 185 or 205, or exclusively at all. Once his first fight is scheduled, and if it is at light heavyweight, we shall bring him back to these rankings.
No more jawing your ears off, let's get down to business.
Overeem *is* a Top 10 Heavyweight in my opinion, but it is hard to actually place him there because he hasn't actually fought in MMA for a while (James Thompson... eh) instead doing the K-1 thing.
Still when you consider his skill set - Best striking HW in MMA, beast on the ground. I think he is Top 10, or in my case I have him Top 5.
Posted By: Steve Perry That's the problem with Overeem, while he may not have the greatest list of opponents, he is a dangerous fighter. You think he really does have the best striking skills of any heavyweight? Fedor and Big Nog may beg to differ.
Fedor is OVER RATED. He's like Rocky in Rocky III of MMA. Being spoonfed decent, if unspectacular fighters to please his management for big pay days. Lesnar, Carwin, Nogueira, Mir... any of these guys could probably beat him.
Posted By: Dave Ugh. Who cares if someone "could probably" defeat Fedor. The point is, nobody has decisively beaten him. He has fought serious competition and beaten them all. The only legit top heavyweights in recent years he hasn't fought include Barnett, Couture, and Brock. I'm not counting Mir, Velasquez, Carwin, Dos Santos because right now I see them as second tier UFC heavyweights.
Right on the bottom!!!... Mr. Solomon, great job!
Honest question: If The UFC decides to go with a rumored "Heavyweight Interim Championship Title mini Tournament", the obvious fights would be Nogueira vs. Carwin & Velazquez vs. Dos Santos, base on the fact that Big Nog'& Cigano, have a type of buddy-buddy, sensei-student relationship, the thing that somewhat bothers me, would be: What if Nogueira & Dos Santos are victorious in their respective matches...? Do you think they would actually scrap their relationship & fight each other? And what if, they decide not to fight each other?... That would create in my opinion, an even bigger tailspin for the UFC Heavyweight Championship… Your thoughts?
Oh, By the By: until Overeem decides to get of the Juice and head back to the US, and decide to either: defend the StrikeForce HW Title… or Vacate, the HW Title… He should not be even near the top 10, Fuck! Scrapped him of this, I don't care how good he is … His title reign has being Pure Bullshit! (Period)
Posted By: Fear_Inc. Thanks. The UFC seems ready to book the interim title fight between Big Nog and Cain Velasquez. I think they will hold Carwin out until they know for sure that Brock will be out a lengthy period of time (and of course, Carwin is ready to compete). I don't think they will put Dos Santos in a spot to fight for the title just yet. If Big Nog should become the interim champion (again), I really have no clue whether he would fight Dos Santos. Assuming they do train together, I would guess no, they would not fight.
Please tell me how Carwin can be higher than Velasquez at this point.
Posted By: Dave Is there really that big a difference in their careers?
Nog hasn't beat Fedor yet, I see no reason why another match would end any differently.
Posted By: Duncan Same talk going on about the forthcoming Chuck/Tito rematch.
Fair list. I personally think Cain is #3. He is a beast. Looked great against Rothwell and withstood a nice onslaught from Kongo who is underrated. In my opinion someone like Kongo would destroy a Brett Rogers or Overeem (on American soil with drug testing), but for some reason gets no respect because of the caliber of opponent he has faced in the UFC.
Posted By: MJH Kongo doesn't get a ton of respect because he has no ground game. Any fighter with any semblance of a submission game or wrestling game would easily defeat Kongo. That said, fights with Rogers and Overeem would be interesting.
If Lesner isn't cominig back til the end of the summer or latter then Carwin should really fight someone before Brock gets healthy to prove he's still worthy. Was it March he last fought? Only having 1 fight a year is not enough. I know its not his fault he's been injured i'm just saying top contenders should have theirs skills tested more frequently in competition. Oh and a good list by the way. I hope they can get a new opponent for Dos Santos so he can be properly tested on the ground, also WAR CRO COP UFC 110!
Posted By: BOOM SHAKA LAKA Dos Santos has said he wants to fight anyone despite Gonzaga being forced to withdraw. I agree about Carwin, he definitely should fight someone besides Brock in the interim. No sense in waiting because who knows what will be the scene in five months. The reason Carwin is not fighting in February is because his wife is scheduled to give birth around that time. So I guess we can assume he will be prepared to fight by April.
i like this list i fedor is not overrated at all and brock is the ufc heavyweight champ so when somebody beats him he wont be number two.
Posted By: dustin Thanks. Sound reasoning regarding Brock.
Dave, you said Noguiera could probably beat him? Is that why Fedor has already beat him twice?
Posted By: Alex I would bet on never seeing that fight again. If you do want to see it, go check out YouTube.
Well, looks like Barnett drops after next month unless he sneaks a fight in.
Perfect Top 3...may rate Rogers higher due to his surprising performance against Fedor.
Posted By: Ramsey Correct on Barnett. By next month, he will have to have a fight scheduled to be eligible to be ranked.
Fedor is overated??
Has beaten Big Nog, Cro Cop in their prime. Mir would beat him? Like Rocky? Have you seen his skill set? Sambo Champion? Please go do some research on the greatest MMA fighter ever before you go talking nonesense! Lesnar would be great fight but time and time again Fedor has handled big guys and would do so again against Lesnar.
Dave, please talk some sense you absolute idiot
Posted By: Knoxatron
"He might beat Rogers, simply because that would be a terrible matchup for Brett. However, Kongo would get tooled by Overeem. Overeem is just better than him at...everything. Overeem isn't totally lost on the ground like Kongo is and Overeem competes regularly in K-1 Kick boxing, so I'd wager he's actually a better kick boxer too.
If Overeem would face real competition, he'd skyrocket up the rankings I believe. Alistair, and not Brock, would be the scariest fight for Fedor, in my opinion. "
You left out a key element of my thoughts on Kongo vs. Overeem - that the fight take place on American soil with drug testing......
Posted By: MJH Who knows about Overeem and drug testing. Until it happens, all this conspiracy talk is going to last forever.
12/11/2008 Light Heavyweight Rankings:
1. Forrest Griffin
2. Quinton Jackson
3. Lyoto Machida
4. Rashad Evans
5. Wanderlei Silva
6. Thiago Silva
7. Shogun Rua
8. Keith Jardine
9. Chuck Liddell
10. Luiz Cane
11. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
12. Rich Franklin
13. Vladimir Matyushenko
14. Tito Ortiz
15. Babalu Sobral
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:
Scott Kuczkowski
1. Machida
2. Shogun
3. Rampage
4. Evans
5. Anderson Silva
6. Noguiera
7. Mousasi
8. Thiago Silva
9. Griffin
10. Franklin
11. Luis Cane
12. Jon Jones
13. Sobral
14. Jardine
15. Matyushenko
Larry Csonka
1. Lyoto Machida
2. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
3. Quinton Jackson
4. Rashad Evans
5. Rogerio Nogueira
6. Anderson Silva
7. Gegard Mousasi
8. Thiago Silva
9. Forrest Griffin
10. Rich Franklin
11. Randy Couture
12. Luiz Cane
13. Babalu Sobral
14. Jon Jones
15. Vladimir Matyushenko
Daniel Bonnizzio
1) Lyoto Machida
2) Shogun Rua
3) Rampage Jackson
4) Rashad Evans
5) Anderson Silva
6) Forrest Griffin
7) Gegard Mousasi
8) Rogerio Nogueria
9) Thiago Silva
10) Luiz Cane
11) Jon Jones
12) Babalu Sobral
13) Randy Couture
14) Keith Jardine
15) Vladimir Matsyushenko
Jonathan Solomon
1. Machida
2. Shogun
3. A Silva
4. Rampage
5. Evans
6. Lil Nog
7. Mousasi
8. Griffin
9. T Silva
10. Cane
11. Babalu
12. Franklin
13. Bones
14. Matyushenko
15. Drwal
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.
- Want to complain about a fighter's ranking? Go right ahead, in the comments section but please include an objective reason 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:
- vs. Shogun Rua - UFC 113 - May 1, 2010
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:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - UFC 113 - May 1, 2010
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:
- Unknown
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:
- Injured
6) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: June 2, 1976
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
vs. Luiz Cane - Win via KO - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
- 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:
- Unknown
7) Gegard Mousasi (30-2-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM and Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Sokoudjou - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers - November 7, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
8) Forrest Griffin (17-6)
Height: 6'3
Birthday: July 1, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via decision (split) - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
9) 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
- vs. James Irvin - Win via TKO (knee injury) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 108 - January 2, 2010
10) 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
- vs. David Heath - Win via submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
11) Luiz Cane (10-2)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: February 4, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - Loss via KO - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
- vs. Steve Cantwell - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 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:
- 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:
- Unknown
13) Jonathan Jones (9-1)
Height: 6'4
Birthday: July 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Hamill - Loss via DQ (illegal elbows) - UFC Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale - December 5, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
14) Randy Couture (17-10)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera - November 14, 2009
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira - August 29, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mark Coleman - UFC 109 - February 6, 2010
15) 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:
- vs. Ryan Bader - UFC 110 - February 21, 2010
Final Notes: Others receiving votes include Vladimir Matyushenko and Tomasz Drwal.
i understand that anderson silva is ranked 5th on the mere fact that he hasnt really fought alot of people in LHW.. but its funny to remember this..
Ranked #1 - machida -anderson probably spares with him and they both kno hes better
Ranked #3 -Rampage - hasnt fought since march.. but anyway silva never fought him, but the one person they have in common is Griffin.. which rampage lost to in a 5 round war... silva destroyed/toyed with him in 3 mins
Ranked #4 -Evans- i give him more respect/credit due to his more athletic ability but seriously, if he couldn't beat machida.. u think hes better than anderson silva?
Posted By: wylun (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 11:03 PM
u its funny how people love to talk about rampage losing to forest in a so called 5 round war but seeing that forest won because of the leg kicks that rampage didn't and wouldn't check can u really call it a war rampage has said a million time he won't check a leg kick so that mean anyone who does what forest did would win buy that doesn't make them a better fighter
Posted By: Guest#3263 (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:08 AM
uhhh yeah cause the rankings are based on "what if's"
Posted By: s dot (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Rampage at 3?
He beat Jardine who's 1-3 in his last 4 and Wandi who's 1-5 in his last 6. What has he done recently to show that he's better then most of this list?
Swap Rashad and Anderson, move Rampage down to below Forrest- and everyone up one to fill his space.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 01:04 AM
"rampage has said a million time he won't check a leg kick so that mean anyone who does what forest did would win buy that doesn't make them a better fighter"
A million times yes it does. If a guy hands out a deficiancy in his own game and never deals with it...he IS a lesser fighter than the people who use it to beat him. Period.
Posted By: AdamS (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 01:26 AM
People like to shit on Rampage because of the guys severe Bi-polarism,but you seem to forget not only the ammount but the quality of opponets he has laid out and taken wins over.
And as far as forest goes,man who the fuck knows what forest will show up for what fight,that dude is so random it's retarded.
I personally dont think forest deserves being ranked above gegard or nog,but whatever.
Posted By: Showster (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 02:20 AM
Would love it if the UFC would sign Mousasi. Will obviously be difficult with his situation at the moment, but would love to see him fight anyone ranked above him, plus he's still got time to improve and get used to the cage. Until then, Hendo vs. Mousasi will do nicely thankyou.
Posted By: knoxatron (Registered) on December 08, 2009 at 06:53 AM
1. Machida
2. Lil Nog
3. Mousasi
4. Shogun
5. Evans
6. Rampage
7. Griffin
Anderson Silva doesn't belong on this list. Until anyone can keep up with him he's default supreme commander of LHW and MW
Posted By: Guest#5543 (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 06:59 AM
I believe Keith Jardine stays on the list so we don't have to see Chuck or Tito.
And Rampage at #3? C'mon...
Posted By: Ramsey (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Anderson Silva should be #2. He destroyed Forrest while the current #2 and #3 lost to him.
Forrest should be #6. Every time he wins a big fight people find a way to discredit his win for some reason. I would love to see Forrest vs. Lil Nog.
The guy who discredited Forrest's winning because he exposed Rampage's weakness is hysterical. Exposing your opponent's weakness is the main concept in MMA......
I really want to see Bones Jones in there with a contender now. He looked awesome versus Hamill. Maybe Bones vs. Lil Nog or Forrest......
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 08:48 AM
And this is why Anderson Silva is the best Pound for Pound fighter. He's #1 at MW, and #5 at LHW.
Honestly though, any Top 15 with Jardine and Babalu is a little weak. Jardine is the UFC's resident member of the JOB Squad, and Babalu just isn't relevant. I know he was Strikeforce's champ, but come on. He'll never sniff relevancy again.
Posted By: Guest#2691 (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Why is Jardine even on this list? He's 1 and 3 in his last 4! What the hell does it take for a man to move down the ladder? Are we suddenly running out of LHW's in the UFC's most STACKED division?? What about Matt Hamill...Hell, even Ryan Bader.
Sure, you can argue that Hamill's win over Jones shouldn't have happened. But other than that there's only 2 other losses on his record. A widely disputed decision to Bisping, and a loss to Franklin.
Bader doesn't have many wins under his belt, but for starting out he's impressing people. I guess that's why he got the Jardine fight. If he wins it, is Jardine still gonna make 12 on this list somehow?
Posted By: Guest#1088 (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 10:04 AM
"
u its funny how people love to talk about rampage losing to forest in a so called 5 round war but seeing that forest won because of the leg kicks that rampage didn't and wouldn't check can u really call it a war rampage has said a million time he won't check a leg kick so that mean anyone who does what forest did would win buy that doesn't make them a better fighter
Posted By: Guest#3263 (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:08 AM"
Yeah it kind of does. If you refuse to fix one of your problem areas, and the other fighter is smart enough to take advantage of that to beat you, that does make him a better fighter. On that night anyways.
Posted By: Todd Vote (Registered) on December 08, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Out of curiosity, why do people rank Anderson Silva so high at LH? He's only beaten a mediocre James Irvin and while he did crush Forrest, that's really only one noteworthy opponent.
I mean Diego Sanchez has been very impressive in his two fights at lightweight and it's arguable that Joe and Clay are better fighters than Forrest and Irvin. However I don't ever see him ranked as high as five.
Furthermore I think people rate Rashad too high. He beat a past his prime Chuck, and had a good win against Forrest. He was not very impressive against Bisping (who was fighting at the wrong weight class) or Tito (who was past his prime by that point.)
What more does Gegard need to do to be ranked higher?
Posted By: Alex (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 11:17 AM
God bless Adam S
Posted By: gues guest (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Matyushenko is top 10 in my opinion. Only been stopped once and that was as a heavyweight. Bader also deserves some consideration to.
Posted By: flo jo (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 12:32 PM
WTF im tired of seeing a.silva in the top 5. WTF has he done in the LHW division other then ko forrest? Shit. And he won't be fighting in the LHW for at least another year, cause middle weight has a couple challengers and he is injured. So get him the fuck off the top 5
Posted By: Its Shogun Nigga (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 01:05 PM
I really think Jon Jones will be top 5 this time next year. I don't know if anyone can deal with his stand up... we shall see. Only time will tell.
Posted By: Brian (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Why is everyone shitting on Rampage at #3? Are Titties' buddies flooding the comments section? Does Rashad actually have nut-huggers now? This is LHW rankings everybody, how you feel about his alleged coaching on TUF should have nothing to do with this.
Posted By: A. Coolman (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Out of curiosity, why do people rank Anderson Silva so high at LH? He's only beaten a mediocre James Irvin and while he did crush Forrest, that's really only one noteworthy opponent.
I mean Diego Sanchez has been very impressive in his two fights at lightweight and it's arguable that Joe and Clay are better fighters than Forrest and Irvin. However I don't ever see him ranked as high as five.
What more does Gegard need to do to be ranked higher?
Posted By: Alex (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 11:17 AM
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It wasn't that Anderson crushed Forrest- it was that he was able to toy with him while he did it.
Add to that Anderson's 10 fight win streak (9 of which he finished... the sole survivor, Leites, simply refused to fight).
He's not comparable to Sanchez- who had to change weight classes to find success... Silva has shown it where ever he goes.
I'm sure Diego would be ranked completely differently if he didn't have the 2 losses at WW - or, to more accurately compare to Anderson, if he were the WW champ moving down to LW.
As far as Gegard moving up- he has to beat better opponents. Neither Babalu or Sokoudjou were top 5 opponents... and outside of a win over Henderson, which won't happen anytime soon, Mousasi won't be able to move up too much.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 03:17 PM
I'm surprised Rampage is ranked so high. Out of his last five fights he's lost to Griffin, beat Hendo and beat three guys that guys that are lucky to be employed let alone ranked.
Posted By: K. Bett (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I'm surprised Rampage is ranked so high. Out of his last five fights he's lost to Griffin, beat Hendo and beat three guys that guys that are lucky to be employed let alone ranked.
Posted By: K. Bett (Guest) on December 08, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Umm, he beat Chuck Liddell when Chuck Liddell was on top of the world and the light heavyweight champion. The fact that Chuck went on to drop 3 of his next 4 fights means absolutely nothing as when he and Rampage faced off, Chuck was riding a huge winning streak and was the top 205'er in the world.
Wanderlei Silva was also coming off a win over Keith Jardine and most people figured he'd stop Rampage for the third time.
Posted By: Samer Kadi (Registered) on December 09, 2009 at 11:07 AM
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