411's MMA Rankings 01.26.10: Lightweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 01.26.2010
411mania ranks the best lightweights in MMA. Is BJ Penn still the best or was Shinya Aoki's bone breaking performance enough to earn him the top spot? Strikeforce's Melendez and Thomson put on a classic show so how well did they fare this month? Gray Maynard remains undefeated and Frankie Edgar will challenge Penn but how will everything play out in this week's 411 MMA Rankings?
Welcome to the freshest lightweight MMA rankings in the LONG history of 2010. Activity is abound with such fighters as Shinya "Flipper" Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson and Gray Maynard active since the last go around. In fact, while all were victorious except for Thomson, the man who may have lost out on the most was Maynard. The UFC brain trust decided to anoint Frankie Edgar as the next "sheep" ready for slaughter, or, the next contender to B.J. Penn's lightweight championship. At the end of the day, isn't it the same thing?
Speaking of slaughter, Diego Sanchez took so much of a beating at UFC 107 he wants to return to the welterweight division. I don't know about you but Diego may be smarter than everyone gives him credit for.
Actually, perhaps the UFC is doing Gray Maynard a favor by delaying his title shot. Maynard is not a fighter who finishes his fights despite the fact he remains undefeated. In the eyes of the UFC, he could still use some seasoning and more experience/training before he's thrown in with the big shark. Frankly, I'm not sure if he'll ever be prepared enough to beat Penn.
So while the non-Zuffa lightweights await news of their new opponents, we are left to hype the UFC lightweight fights on tap. Arguably the most anticipated lightweight fight in recent UFC history, Kenny Florian is scheduled to fight Takanori Gomi. For those of you who did not follow MMA in the mid-2000s during the PRIDE days, Gomi was the best lightweight in that promotion. However, he has been criticized for being a lazy fighter who does not train hard. His last PRIDE fight in 2007 ended with Nick Diaz choking him out (although the result was overturned by the NSAC due to Diaz testing positive for marijuana). Since 2008, Gomi is 4-2 with his only impressive performances being a TKO win over Duane Ludwig and a knockout of Takashi Nakakura. Gomi has expressed an interest to fight B.J. Penn, who defeated him in a 2003 fight, but he will have his hands full right out of the UFC gate with Florian. That fight is expected for the UFC Fight Night 21 show in late-March.
With Penn, his next fight is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi at UFC 112 against Frankie Edgar. Edgar is a wrestler with some striking skills. Needless to say, everyone not related to or training with Edgar is under the belief he is walking to his destruction. As is always the story with Penn, as long as he does not take the fight lightly and forego serious training, he should waltz to another title defense just as he did with Florian, Sanchez, Joe Stevenson and Sean Sherk.
As for Strikeforce, there has not been a lot of talk of late about their new undisputed champion, Gilbert Melendez. Talk before the new year centered around Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker's desire to sign and bring in Shinya Aoki and Tatsuya Kawajiri, but talk has died down. If he cannot strike a deal with them or DREAM, besides the trilogy with Josh Thomson, is there an interesting match-up for Melendez?
Lastly, WEC crowned its new undisputed lightweight champion after Ben Henderson choked out Jamie Varner earlier this month. Despite what he may have thought, Jamie Varner was in a MIXED MARTIAL ARTS fight, made one mistake and lost his strap because of it. "Smooth" Henderson may make his first title defense against "Cowboy" Donald Cerrone in the spring.
FEEDBACK to Last Week's Light Heavyweight Rankings
From MJ:
I don't know bout you guys, but I think I'd put Gegard ontop of Lil' Nog... If Keith loses to Bader, he should no longer be considered for anything. Both Mousasi and Lil Nog are on tremendous streaks although Mousasi has had more of the spotlight since the death of PRIDE in 2007. A fight between the two would be all kinds of awesome as both men are extremely tough standing and on the ground. As for Jardine, if he does lose to Bader, no way is he a top light heavyweight. Agreed.
From Patrick:
*sigh* How many losses will it take to get Jardine off of this list...and please dont say a significant one...cause...they've all been. In his defense, he lost to Wanderlei Silva, Rampage Jackson and Thiago Silva. It's not like he is fighting scrubs.
From K. Bett:
Same complaint as last month. How is Rampage still ranked at "3" for beating one ranked LHW in the past year? Meanwhile Evans is ranked at "4" after beating two top ten LWH. To pour salt on the wound Evans beat the guy that has given Rampage his one UFC loss. Weight class rankings are not based on what a fighter is capable of doing, but what they have done recently. I can't put Rampage ahead of Griffen simply because the man hasn't avenged his loss or faced a higher ranked opponent since losing to him I have no problem placing Rampage ahead of Griffin. While Griffin does hold a win over him, it was a razor thin decision. Since that close fight, Griffin is 1-1 and has not looked impressive at all in either fight. Rampage is 2-0 and has looked solid. As for Rashad Evans, he had his opportunity to impress with the Silva fight and he did not. While he dominated rounds one and two, he really did nothing to try and finish the fight. If Thiago Silva didn't have a mental lapse, it's likely Evans loses that fight. Even with the win, did he show anything that would say, "hey, Rashad is going to kick Rampage's ass," no he did not.
From kingkongstudley:
not that either is a contender but im lookn forward to bonnar vs krystoff Krzysztoff Sosynzski is always an entertaining fighter and Stephan Bonnar needs a better showing to get his career back on track. It should be a good fight.
From Rashguard:
While I understand that Anderson Silva is fighting between two weight classes and that he will never fight the Dragon etc.
How does Rashad beat A Silva, because he is ranked above him, because the Dragon sent him to canvas slumberland, and I think Anderson is a more devastating striker than the Dragon.
Just saying. If Evans were ever to fight Silva, he would absolutely need to use his wrestling to win that fight. No doubt about it. However, what would Rashad be able to do on the ground if he were able to take him down?
From MJH:
I know it is cool to hate on Griffin these days, but that dude loves the tough fights. He beat #2 decisively. He beat #3 as well. He lost decisively to #4 and #5. Next up for him now is #6. Even the haters have to admit that is pretty cool. Nobody ever claimed he wasn't willing to fight the best. Although he can come off like a jackass at times and hilarious at other times, he's a great fighter.
From Jon:
There's no doubt in my mind that Rashad SHOULD be ahead of Rampage, but let's face it, the UFC basically told Rashad that he had to beat Silva to even get a shot at Jackson, who ISN'T the Champ. What was that? Way to reward the guy who sulked off for a few months, and take a dump on the guy who stayed loyal.
Sure Jackson is more experienced and has a couple of bigger W's on his resume, but he's also get a fair few losses too.
Also, I've been saying it for months and months, but Jardine is awful and should never have been as high as he was, and now that's he's getting bumped off easily by everyone ever associated with a top 15 rankings, WHY IS HE STILL THERE?! All 14 of those other guys would beat Jardine, and I can name a few others that would too, including Tito, Matyuschenko and half of the up and comers. Jardine is pants. Tito Ortiz over Keith Jardine. Really?
From AdamS:
Does anyone believe Griffin can beat Lil Nog decisively? No they don't. Which is why it would be hilarious if Griffin pulled yet another of those victories he wasn't supposed to have.
Nice work sneaking in the word decisively, by the way. The truth is, though, everyone should be rooting for Griffin here. The last thing we need now is another fighter that Machida won't fight dominating the division. Griffin is 2-0 against former great PRIDE stars. Can he make it 3-0? You're right, it would be hilarious if he can do it.
From stronelis:
i do not get all the love for Luiz Cane. He's done nothing to deserve it. Who has he beaten? Cantwell is a joke and who hasn't beaten Sokoudjou. I would put any of the people ranked 11-15 ahead of Cane. Yes even Babalu. Perhaps at #10, he is a bit too high after getting knocked out by Lil Nog, but I don't remember anyone complaining about him prior to that defeat when he was undefeated in the UFC.
From MJH:
No way Babalu over Cane. Cane hasn't beaten anyone, but he did beat Lambert who KTFO Babalu.
You can use the same argument about not beating anyone for Gegard. His best win is Babalu according to the rankings (it really is Souza). I would love to see that dude in the UFC fighting all the other top 10 guys. He has like 5 sweet match ups waiting for him! Mousasi is too young to never fight in the UFC during his (hopefully) long career.
From MJH:
no brandon vera?? he suffered a loss to randy... hes better than randy...coleman is gunna be the victorious grandpa but all and all they both suck and lets hope one of them doesn't die from a heart attack... i disagree with anderson being on this list...because he is better and would most likely ruin every oponent on it...i would have just kept the middleweight fighter off until he decides to start fighting in this weight class Why should Vera be ranked? At 205, he's 3-2 with losses to Jardine and Couture. His wins are against Reese Andy, Mike Patt and Soszynski. Silva has fought at 205, which is why we rank him here.
From umdogmillionaire:
kingkongstudley is right bonnar vs krystoff will be awesome. also why the h8 around here on babaloo got whoopd by mousasi most would Who hated on Babalu? He's simply not active right now coming off the Mousasi loss. Doesn't it seem he's been fighting since the beginning of time?
From pikey:
Okay Im a forrest fan but you need to watch that shogun fight again MJH. Because the fact is he pulled out a victory from a gassed Rua in the final seconds, in a fight that was gonna be a spit descion. HOW is that decisive? When any fighter takes an opponents back and chokes them out, that is a decisive victory. Whether they are tired or not.
From The Real MJH:
Hey - I didn't write this. I can't stand Vera!!!! Glad to hear.
Lightweight Rankings from One Year Ago (1/13/2009)
1. B.J. Penn
2. Shinya Aoki
3. JZ Cavalcante
4. Kenny Florian
5. Sean Sherk
6. Eddie Alvarez
7. Josh Thomson
8. Gilbert Melendez
9. Joachim Hansen
10. Tatsuya Kawajiri
11. Mitsuhiro Ishida
12. Nate Diaz
13. Takanori Gomi
14. Gray Maynard
15. Tyson Griffin
THE CREW
The 411 MMA staff is pulling back the curtain to 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:
Jonathan Solomon
1. Shinya Aoki
2. B.J. Penn
3. Gilbert Melendez
4. Kenny Florian
5. Tatsuya Kawajiri
6. Eddie Alvarez
7. Joachim Hansen
8. Frankie Edgar
9. Diego Sanchez
10. Gray Maynard
11. Ben Henderson
12. Josh Thomson
13. Sean Sherk
14. Takanori Gomi
15. Tyson Griffin
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. If you wish to jump on the bandwagon and throw your hate on top of the pile, be my guest. Just have faith that there will be no backlash, we're writers not fighters. Besides, this is not North Korea. At least, that's what I heard Csonka shout at Ash behind closed doors one time.
* denotes a statistical tie.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) B.J. Penn (15-5-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: December 13, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via TKO (cuts) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Frankie Edgar - UFC 112 - April 10, 2010
Comment: Penn learned his next challenger will be Frankie Edgar. Let's be honest, do you see any way that Edgar can beat Penn right now?
2) Shinya Aoki (23-4)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: May 9, 1983
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mizuto Hirota - Win via technical submission (hammerlock) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2009 - December 31, 2009
- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via submission (armbar) - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Aoki is as dominant a lightweight as Penn is right now. I would go so far to say that no other division in MMA can say they have two dominating fighters like the lightweights. As far as Aoki's future, the only real fight for him in DREAM is a title defense against Kawajiri. Otherwise, I hope he comes to America to take on some fresh challengers. For those wondering why I placed Aoki ahead of Penn, it's only due to quality of competition. Aoki has blasted Hirota, Hansen, Shaolin Ribeiro, Alvarez, Uno and JZ since 2008. From that same time period, Penn has beaten Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.
3) Kenny Florian (12-4)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 26, 1976
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Clay Guida - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Takanori Gomi - UFC Fight Night 21 - March 31, 2010
Comment: This is going to be a big fight for Ken-Flo as he will be Mr. UFC as he fights the best former PRIDE lightweight in Takanori Gomi. For Florian, a loss in this fight would make it awfully difficult to get a title shot in the foreseeable future. However, if he can win in impressive fashion, he may be in line for a second shot at Penn as soon as later this year.
4) Eddie Alvarez (18-2)
Birthday: November 11, 1984
Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Bellator Fighting Championship
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Katsunori Kikuno - Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) - DREAM 12 - October 25, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: I have not read or heard anything about Alvarez since the New Year and can only assume he is waiting for the new season of Bellator to get underway. If not, I would guess the best place to look for him is with DREAM.
5) Gilbert Melendez (16-2)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: April 12, 1982
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Josh Thomson - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Evolution - December 19, 2009
- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Arguably, Melendez is the best American lightweight not named B.J. Penn. He is the undisputed Strikeforce lightweight champion and hopefully SF CEO Scott Coker can come through and bring Shinya Aoki and/or Tatsuya Kawajiri to America to settle who is the best non-Zuffa 155er.
6) Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-5-2)
Height: 5'7
Birthday: May 8, 1978
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kazunori Yokota - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2009 - December 31, 2009
- vs. Melchor Manibusan - Win via TKO (strikes) - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
7) Joachim Hansen (19-8-1)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 26, 1979
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via submission (armbar) - DREAM 11 - October 6, 2009
- 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. B.J. Penn - Loss via TKO (cuts) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Sanchez has publicly said he intends to return to the welterweight division. As such, this will be the last time he will be eligible to be ranked as a lightweight as long as the UFC doesn't come out and say Sanchez is staying put at 155.
9) Gray Maynard (9-0)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: May 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nate Diaz - Win by decision (split) - UFC Fight Night 20 - January 11, 2010
- vs. Roger Huerta - Win by decision (split) - UFC Fight Night 19 - September 16, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
10) Frankie Edgar (11-1)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: October 16, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Veach - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale - December 5, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. B.J. Penn - UFC 112 - April 10, 2010
11) Josh Thomson (16-3)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: September 21, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Evolution - December 19, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
12) Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (14-3-1)
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:
- Unknown
13) 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:
- Injured
Comment: Sherk has been forced to miss three scheduled fights due to injury. He missed a fight with Gleison Tibau (UFC 104) due to an injury. He missed a fight with Jim Miller at UFC 108 due to a cut above his eye and he will miss a fight with Clay Guida in March due to a different injury. Talk about bad luck.
14) Ben Henderson (11-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: November 16, 1983
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jamie Varner - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson - January 10, 2010
- vs. Donald Cerrone - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson - October 10, 2009
- vs. Shane Roller - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki - April 5, 2009
- vs. Anthony Njokuani - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone - January 25, 2009
- vs. Diego Saraiva - Win via decision (unanimous) - EVO MMA - October 4, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Henderson is the undisputed king of WEC lightweights after impressively choking out Jamie Varner over two weeks ago. With the win, Henderson sets himself up for a potential rematch with Cerrone with his title on the line.
15) Vitor Ribeiro (20-3)
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix Final Round - July 20, 2009
- vs. Katsuhiko Nagata - Win via doctor stoppage (cut) - DREAM 8: Welterweight Grand Prix First Round - April 5, 2009
- vs. Gesias Cavalcante - Loss via TKO - K-1 Hero's Tournament Final - September 17, 2007
- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - K-1 Hero's Middleweight Tournament First Round - July 16, 2007
- vs. Ryuki Ueyama - Win via submission (triangle armbar) - K-1 Hero's 8 - March 12, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Final Notes: Other fighters receiving votes include Takanori Gomi, Tyson Griffin, Mizuto Hirota, Clay Guida and Donald Cerrone.
I think that Ben Henderson as 14th is a little bit low but otherwise a good list.
Posted By: Malte (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 12:26 AM
How are both Florian (who got MURDERED by BJ) and Alvarez BOTH Ahead of SF LHW Champ El Nino who also have an amazing track record and got the gold in what many considered the "MOTY" in 2009 ?
IMO Melendez is a better all around performer than Aoki and would absolutely murder him on standing battle (and he is not bad on the ground either since he is training with some BJJ Wizards (The Diaz Bros and Shields).
Oh and unlike Aoki he did not got KTFO Three straight times IMO
Posted By: Melendez >>> Aoki (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 02:12 AM
i would have to agree 14th is harsh especially the cerrone fight was moty last year impressive kid for sure maybe next rankings will treat this bright star better
Posted By: 5150 proof (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 02:15 AM
Its safe to say Guida needs to win his next fight. Good thing for him Sherk got injured cause im certain that would of been another loss for him. I wouldn't count Frankie Edgar out of the Penn fight as he's a great all rounder with, in my opinion superior speed to Penn. Finally what on earth can the match makers do with Gray Maynard? Tyson Griffin possibly but as a big Griffin fan i'd hate to see him lose a boring uninspiring decision that may ruin his chances of ever getting a title shot.
Posted By: Zab Juuuuudah (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 02:24 AM
Maynard above Edgar and Henderson so low are a little debatable. As much as people will talk about Maynard's win over Edgar two years ago in the time since Maynard has eked out split (and outright bad) decisions while Edgar has beat top competition and looks for a finish against opponents.
Posted By: Jared B. (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 02:24 AM
with the exception of Penn, Diego Sanchez can whip everybody else on this list.
Posted By: wolvie316 (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 02:59 AM
Aoki would beat Penn by armbreaker in the 1st 30 seconds.
Posted By: Guest#7182 (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 05:15 AM
Look at Maynard's face in that picture. He did not win that fight. Rounds 1 & 3 to Diaz. Edgar should of got the title shot but he will get destroyed.
Posted By: Tony (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 08:07 AM
With the influx of awesome lightweights, I agree that it would SEEM like Henderson is a bit low. However, where there's so many good guys out there, on a list where Cerrone gets snubbed, you know there's a problem. I'm not a huge numbers guy because I believe win/loss records don't mean as much as they perceive sometimes (ie Randy Couture, Matt Brown, etc). However, I don't see what Joachim Hansen is still doing up so high.
Props to Jonathan for having the stones to rank Aoki ahead of Penn. You're gonna take a lot of heat for that
Posted By: GeeSpotter (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 08:33 AM
Eddie Alvarez has the nicest eye brows in mma. Fact.
Posted By: E-Van (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Maynard absolutley deserves to be over Edgar, not sure what bad decisions he got. He clearly beat Huerta and beat Diaz in a close fight. He landed the much better shots, Diaz was slapping his face and Maynard dropped him several times. Edgar has beaten Franca (Koed in last two fights) Sherk who's standup sucks and if used his wrestling would have won easily and Veach who is talented but isn't top 20 and his biggest win is Matt Grice.
Henderson is too low, he should be above Sherk and JZ right now
Posted By: Guest#5191 (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 11:14 AM
"From Patrick:
*sigh* How many losses will it take to get Jardine off of this list...and please dont say a significant one...cause...they've all been.
In his defense, he lost to Wanderlei Silva, Rampage Jackson and Thiago Silva. It's not like he is fighting scrubs."
Did we forget about the loss to Houston "One Round" Alexander?
Posted By: Todd Vote (Registered) on January 26, 2010 at 11:22 AM
no way Florian should be ranked 3rd! sure he looked impressive against Guida but Melendez looked way better against Thompson.... and why is Ben Henderson ranked 14???? behind Sean Sherk and Gray Maynard of all people...he needs to be higher
Posted By: RP (Guest) on January 26, 2010 at 12:35 PM
I don't think henderson should be reanked. I think that if he, Varner or Cerrone were to come to the UFC, they would get handled by "unranked" guys like Guida, Diaz, Stephenson, etc. I actually wonder how all the guys from Dream would fare against Maynard, Sherk and Edgar. The WEC is a "triple A" promotion at 155, and being champ there is not on par with being competitive in the UFC or even Dream.
Posted By: Jamie (Guest) on January 27, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Tito Ortiz over Keith Jardine. Really?
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Hell yeah! Keith Jardine is the perfect reputable can to feed Tito after he's beaten Liddell (who nobody in the world thinks should even fight again).
Tito wouldn't lose to pants fighters like Stephan Bonner or Houston Alexander, guys Jardine routinely loses to. In fact, if Jardine wins another UFC fight in his career, I'd be absolutely amazed. Tito genuinely should beat Liddell, but I guess if he loses, I concede, you have a point. If he doesn't, can we PLEASE remove Jardine from all the rankings given his awful recent track record?
Posted By: Jon (Guest) on January 28, 2010 at 11:05 AM
