411's MMA Rankings 03.02.10: Light Heavyweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 03.02.2010
The 411 MMA Rankings return featuring the best light heavyweights in the world. Can Shogun Rua pass Lyoto Machida before their anticipated rematch? Where do Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson rank before their grudge match? Before Gegard Mousasi appears on CBS, is he a top 5 fighter? All that and much more including a brand new ranked fighter.
Welcome to the 411mania's MMA Rankings as we jump through the fire and into March. Thus far, 2010 has not seen a lot of top light heavyweight's in action. As a matter of fact, of the ranked guys the active fighters have included Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva, Randy Couture and Keith Jardine. However, the spring will see a boost in activity.
All but one of the fighters in the top ten will compete this spring. Anderson Silva is the only one fighting outside the division (in his native middleweight class) so business is about to pick up.
Randy Couture dismantled Mark Coleman in what turned out to be the swan song of the latter Hall of Famer. The issue with Couture is people still have questions whether he can compete with the younger, faster, stronger competitors in the division. Surprised? Probably not. People have questioned Couture since his MMA debut. The rumor being bandied about is a potential Couture/Rich Franklin fight sometime this year which intrigues me.
This division continues to be dominated by the UFC as only two ranked fighters are fighting elsewhere. Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi has spoken about his desire to compete in the DREAM grand prix later this year, but that will be after his title defense on the CBS show in April. He will fight King Mo in what is quite the difficult fight for the Armenian born fighter.
The other non-UFC fighter is Babalu Sobral, who ironically, we have not seen nor heard from since his defeat at the hands of Mousasi.
We have a brand new ranked fighter this month, and I'll let you find out for yourself below. However, I will say the man who fell off the list is none other than your favorite fighter, The Dean of Mean, Keith Jardine. I know people have been calling for this for a long time but the man simply has too many losses in his recent fight history. Even if some are against top competition, this is a 'what have you done for me lately' business.
Enjoy the rankings and come back next week as we take a look at B.J. Penn and others.
From Blode:
That Roy Nelson picture is without a doubt, the greatest thing in the history of mankind. It's great no doubt, but I'll take your word for it if it's the best thing since the creation of the wheel.
From The Jew:
I agree with these rankings just about 100%. Why thank you.
From Brad:
There is no way, just no way JDS can be below Carwin. None. Carwin has ONE good win where as JDS has beaten three really solid guys including one Top 10.
I also noticed the Overeem trend - Some feel he is Top 10 due to having the second best skillset at HW (first being that Fedor guy) but others don't even rank him due to facing less than stellar competition. It is a tough one.... Trust me, the whole JDS under Carwin issue has been acknowledged by the staff behind closed doors.
As for the "Overeem trend," I definitely agree. It depends on which side of the fence you are, if you take into account his success in K-1. Otherwise, it's tough to put him anywhere near the top because his list of opponents has been lackluster to say the least.
From AdamS:
Okay, let me get this straight. We're now putting Velasquez over Mir despite there being no reason to do so. Both have wisn voer Nog in similar fashion (although we're pretending one of them doesn't count). Both have wins over Kongo...Cain via grappleraping him for 3 rounds, and Mir via knocking him on his ass and choking him out in 2 minutes. Frank Mir is ranked #3, Cain Velasquez is ranked #4 in the overall rankings.
From wylun:
MIr- vs. Cheick Kongo - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
wtf? lol that picture of him is of him chokin him out for god sakes! Now that's funny. My mistake, I shall correct it in the future. Thank you for pointing it out.
From mae:
very good list...
i agree with most commenters and i'd put JDS above carwin. also, this might get some heat, but i'd put cain over mir. i mean, an undefeated record and a 2-minute knockout of a legend. great job to jonathan solomon for getting the list spot on, you know your mma Thank you but it's the 411 MMA Staff who vote and determine the rankings. Coming off such an impressive win, Cain certainly has a push to be ranked above Mir if you so choose. It wouldn't be a crime in my eyes if you did just that.
From dude:
uh, adam, learn to read captain. Mir is still above Cain. Calm down. Agree that Junior should be above Carwin. Not a knock on Carwin, but while he's been waiting to fight, Dos Santos has been fighting and beating good competition. Dos Santos has been more active than Carwin and has fought some serious opponents so no joke there.
From Cap:
Comments 3 to 5 are spot on. JDS should be above Carwin. Cain above Mir is ridiculous. And Harris is a retard. I wouldn't call Harris that, I'd say he's much more passionate about certain factors.
From Flying Dutchman:
Didn't Mir beat Kongo by submission? (Passed out) Argh, indeed he did.
From Steeler Steve:
Note to editors.... Do you have any pics of Arlovski not getting knocked out that you could place next to his list of being knocked out? Maybe after the charity boxing, at least we will have a new pic of him being knocked out. There are lots of pics of Andrei Arlovski in poses other than falling to the mat.
From saerbarnet:
Jeffrey Harris just keeps bringing the stupid every time. Opinions can be stupid, but can they be wrong?
From Todd Vote:
- vs. Cheick Kongo - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
Didn't Mir choke him out via Guillotine? Yep he did just that.
From MJH:
Harris has balls - I don't agree with him......yet. At what point do we start taking into consideration Fedor's competition. He has himself in position to not face one of the top 7 guys on this list for years.....after a couple of years now where he hasn't faced any of the top guys. How do we know his best days aren't behind him a little similar to Big Nog? If Tom Brady was kicking ass in the CFL would we not question him as the #1 QB. If Fedor keeps beating cans for years when do we penalize him for that? I am not saying that he isn't still the best - but at some point doesn't he have to prove it against a top 5 guy? Revisionist history there MJH. When Fedor competed against both Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski, they were both considered top heavyweights. In the rankings before their fights with Fedor, Sylvia was the 6th best heavyweight and Arlovski was the 2nd best heavyweight. If you want to argue about Zulu and Hong Man Choi, be my guest. But the fact is since 2008, he has fought serious competition.
From bob-o:
Can someone explain why Cain knocking out Nogueira makes Fedor look more impressive? If anything it makes Cain and the UFC look more impressive. ?? Where are you getting that initial statement from? Cain knocking out Nogueira has little to do with Fedor's legendary fights with Big Nog because they happened at such different times. If they were within 2-3 years of each other, maybe you could say there was any correlation. They did not.
From GeeSpotter:
I think Arlovski has garnered enough respect in his MMA career to have his charity boxing event mentioned. Give the guy some love. He's fulfilling a dream he's always had and he's getting back into a ring I have all the respect in the world for Arlovski but I was not listing a charity boxing fight. If it were a professional fight, I'd probably list it.
From Wyatt Beougher:
Wait, let me get this straight - you think Velazquez knocking out Nog so impressively in turn makes Fedor look MORE impressive? When Fedor couldn't finish Nog? Said who?
From tazz:
the ufc is promoting 3 shows within 10 days? yikes You said it, brother.
From Rob:
Jeffrey Harris should officially be banned from ranking fighters. Absolutley terrible. That's a bit rough, don't you think?
From 401k:
Taking their body of work, Mir should be above Cain.. But I think Cain is the better fighter and would beat Mir.. In the same regard, Dos Santos SHOULD be above Carwin, but I think Shane knocks him out. Just goes to show how subjective these list are.. I will say the Overeem hype machine needs 2 come to a halt Where is the Overeem hype machine? If anything, he NEEDS one. I'd agree with your take on Velasquez/Mir.
From Zab Judaaahhhh:
Good list guys. I pretty much agree with all of it. How come Dave Herman hasn't worked for a big promotion yet? Potentially very solid heavyweights are hard to come by so its surprising someone like him hasn't competed for the big leagues yet. Thanks. Your guess is as good as mine about Herman. He's a great prospect but for whatever reason never surfaced in any major U.S. promotion since the death of EXC except for Bellator. He was criticized before 2009 for not being serious about his career because up to that point, he never had a serious training camp (in one interview he said he would train in his living room). However, in early 2009 he did begin training around the Nashville area. Hopefully his career improves because he has shown a lot of potential.
From Chris Vazquez:
Cain Velasquez number #1... It's possible by the end of the year, he may be there.
From AdamS:
2 of 6 voters put Cain above Mir, the description on Mir reads that he barely held Cain off for the #3 spot, and there's an article on the site tlaking about the possibility of giving Cain a title shot first.
So who exactly needs to learn to read? Velasquez simply has a lot of momentum after knocking the hell out of Big Nog. Frank Mir is still considered the 3rd best heavyweight.
From FanSinceUFC7:
Arlovski deserves more respect. Saying he's one of the top 15 fighters in the world with a picture of him being knocked out is just wrong. Like Ed Soares said, these fighters are human too. You should assume all of these fighters are looking at this article as are their friends and family. What if it was you? Arlovski is trying to pick up the pieces after two knockouts. Your site even said he was suicidal awhile back. Give him some love. I mean no disrespect from the picture. I like to use pictures from their most recent fights and in his last two, he was knocked out. Taking the emotion out of it, it is a great picture. However, you are probably right. I'll change the picture in the future.
I usually do not include posts from "guests" but felt since this one was promoting a fighter, why the hell not.
"Remember the name Stipe Miocic (6-0) out of Independence, OH. He is the REAL deal"
Thanks for all the comments. As always, they are much appreciated.
03/03/2009 Light Heavyweight Rankings:
1. Rashad Evans
2. Quinton Jackson
3. Lyoto Machida
4. Forrest Griffin
5. Shogun Rua
6. Keith Jardine
7. Chuck Liddell
8. Wanderlei Silva
9. Babalu Sobral
10. Luiz Cane
11. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
12. Rich Franklin
13. Thiago Silva
14. Vladimir Matyushenko
15. Tito Ortiz
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:
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 Nogueira
9) Thiago Silva
10) Luiz Cane
11) Jon Jones
12) Babalu Sobral
13) Randy Couture
14) Ryan Bader
15) Vladimir Matsyushenko
Scott Kuczkowski
1. Machida
2. Shogun
3. Rampage
4. Evans
5. Anderson Silva
6. Noguiera
7. Mousasi
8. Griffin
9. Thiago Silva
10. Luis Cane
11. Jon Jones
12. Rich Franklin
13. Sobral
14. Bader
15. Randy Couture
Jeffrey Harris
1. Lyoto Machida
2. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
3. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
4. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
5. Rashad Evans
6. Anderson Silva
7. Gegard Mousasi
8. Forrest Griffin
9. Thiago Silva
10. Jon Jones
11. Randy Couture
12. Ryan Bader
13. Rich Franklin
14. Luis Cane
15. Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Todd Bergman
1.(tie)Lyoto Machida
1.(tie) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
3. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
4. Rashad Evans
5. Anderson Silva
6. Gegard Mousasi
7. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
8. Forrest Griffin
9. Thiago Silva
10. Jon Jones
11. Luis Cane
12. Randy Couture
13. Rich Franklin
14. Ryan Bader
15. Renato "Babalu" Sobral
Jonathan Solomon
1. Lyoto Machida
2. Shogun Rua
3. Anderson Silva
4. Rampage Jackson
5. Rashad Evans
6. Rogerio Nogueira
7. Gegard Mousasi
8. Forrest Griffin
9. Thiago Silva
10. Luiz Cane
11. Rich Franklin
12. Babalu Sobral
13. Bones Jones
14. Matyushenko
15. Tomasz 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 8, 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 8, 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:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 114 - May 29, 2010
Comment: While Rampage is back in the UFC, he is anything but a happy camper. He says he will fulfill his current contract and will move on from fighting. I'll take that with a grain of salt but just in case he is sincere, enjoy Rampage while you can.
4) Rashad Evans (14-1-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Thiago Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva - January 2, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rampage Jackson - UFC 114 - May 29, 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:
- vs. Demian Maia - UFC 112: Invincible - April 10, 2010
Comment: With The Spider entrenched in his own middleweight division, it's unclear when we will see him fight at 205 again. After his title defense against Maia next month, it's widely assumed he will fight either Chael Sonnen or Vitor Belfort. Of course, that's assuming he is successful at UFC 112. (haha)
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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - UFC 114 - May 29, 2010
7) Gegard Mousasi (31-2-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM and Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gary Goodridge - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2009 - December 31, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. King Mo Lawal - Strikeforce on CBS - April 17, 2010
Comment: Mousasi's title defense against Muhammad Lawal was officially announced yesterday.
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:
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - UFC 114 - May 29, 2010
Comment: Has Griffin finally run into a former PRIDE superstar he cannot defeat?
9) Thiago Silva (14-2)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: November 12, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rashad Evams - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva - January 2, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
10) 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Cyrille Diabate - UFC 114 - May 29, 2010
11) 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:
- vs. Brandon Vera - UFC on Versus - March 21, 2010
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:
- vs. Randy Couture - UFC 115 - June 12, 2010 (rumor)
13) Randy Couture (18-10)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mark Coleman - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 109: Relentless - February 6, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rich Franklin - UFC 115 - June 12, 2010 (rumor)
14) 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:
- Unknown
15) Ryan Bader (11-0)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: June 7, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez - February 21, 2010
- vs. Eric Schafer - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun - October 24, 2009
- vs. Carmelo Marrero - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann - April 1, 2009
- vs. Vinny Magalhaes - Win via TKO (strikes) - TUF 8 Finale - December 13, 2008
- vs. Buckley Acosta - Win via submission (Arm Triangle choke) - XCC 6: Western Threat - April 5, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: The TUF 8 winner makes his first appearance as a ranked light heavyweight following his KO win over Keith Jardine. Bader still does not have the resume of opponents you may like but he is slowly building his career. With his wrestling background and impressive knockout power, he should be a dangerous fighter for some time.
Final Notes: Others receiving votes include Vladimir Matyushenko and Tomasz Drwal.
Posted By: wolvie316 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 12:21 AM
One step closer to clearing Anderson out of these rankings. Maia in April, Sonnen in the fall which will be over a year. And then either Vitor/Wand/Akiyama at years end. And Tomasz Drwal fights at middleweight now.
Posted By: zwarrior2 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 02:01 AM
Everyone happy now that Jardine is off the list?
Posted By: Cap (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 03:03 AM
What the hell is with the Bader bandwagon? He hasnt beat anyone worth mentioning, who!?, Jardine? He wasnt even on your list (nor the 4 mods lists), so why would bader be there. And Anderson Silva really shouldnt count due to the fact that hes never made the claimbto go for LHW gold.
Posted By: HAHAMAN (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 05:01 AM
wtf mousassi should be higher this list is bs why cane is 10 can anyoone explain this
Posted By: dd (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 05:28 AM
thank god, jardine is finally gone!
Posted By: byebye (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 06:02 AM
Agree with these rankings,great work. I think Mousasi might find himself in the top5,maybe top3 soon,but he needs more quality wins before that.
I like how you dont overrate Randy,and dont write Cane completely down after one loss.
Posted By: SoulBrotherNo1 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 06:25 AM
at best Rashad should be at #7
Posted By: wolvie316 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 12:21 AM
Why? Because he has only one defeat, to the best light heavyweight on the planet? Or because he was the light heavyweight champion less than a year ago?
Posted By: Samer Kadi (Registered) on March 02, 2010 at 06:55 AM
In Response to your response: In the COMMENT section last week under Big Nog's ranking.
"Unlike his first TKO loss, Big Nog does not have a serious illness to blame. Simply put, he was too slow to stand and bang with Cain Velasquez. It was amazing to see that unfold because just six months ago, we watched him look great against Randy Couture in a tough fight. Does this mean Big Nog's days of being a top heavyweight are over? Not for nothing, but doesn't this make Fedor all the more impressive?"
Still not sure what it means but I agree with you, it was years ago and therefore less relavent.
Posted By: bob-o (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 07:55 AM
Says a lot about how much Machida is respected when Rua can come close to beating him and sit comfortably at #2 without doing anything else in the past three years noteworthy
Posted By: K. Bett (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 08:26 AM
I think Bader should be higher on the list. Babalou has done exactly Jack and Shit for over a year and didn't look like he belonged in the cage with Mousasi. Bader just comes out and wins, baby. Is he ready for Machida, Rashad or Shogun? Doubtful. Is he ready for Jones, Randy, and Cane? Yup, I think he is.
Posted By: King Durin (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 08:41 AM
Solomon,
Here's your write-up about Big Nog from last week:
"Unlike his first TKO loss, Big Nog does not have a serious illness to blame. Simply put, he was too slow to stand and bang with Cain Velasquez. It was amazing to see that unfold because just six months ago, we watched him look great against Randy Couture in a tough fight. Does this mean Big Nog's days of being a top heavyweight are over? Not for nothing, but doesn't this make Fedor all the more impressive?"
And your comment in regards to my comment from this week:
"From Wyatt Beougher:
Wait, let me get this straight - you think Velazquez knocking out Nog so impressively in turn makes Fedor look MORE impressive? When Fedor couldn't finish Nog?
Said who?"
Apparently, said you.
Posted By: Wyatt Beougher (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 08:51 AM
i never understand how everyone votes anderson silva so high at LH, he has only beat leites and forrest at 205, i understand he has run through the MW division but what makes him better at 205 than lil nog??
Posted By: sizzle (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 09:09 AM
For the most part, good rankings. I can live with Evans and Rampage being that high. Call me crazy, but I might actually put Thiago Silva above Griffin. I like Griffin, but he doesn't seem to have an answer to anyone who brings the heat to him (Tito is a can, I don't count that one). I would like to see a Bones Jones vs Cane matchup soon too. Good young fighters.
Posted By: MPMoore (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 09:20 AM
while i understand why you have them ranked the way they are, in all reality Silva should be ranked ahead of Rashad. I mean silva is flat better than Machida and Machida murdered Rashad. I know thats a bit of MMAth but do you actually believe that Rashad would stand a chance against Anderson?
Posted By: stronelis (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 09:52 AM
On the those Griffin comments, do you mean other than Silva?
Posted By: J.T. (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 10:13 AM
If Anderson stays at LHW I have no doubt he can be at #1. The only 3 people i see giving him problems in this division is the top 3.
Posted By: wolvie316 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Alot of potential match-ups this year between ranked guys. Shogun/Machida, Rampage/Rashad, Couture/Franklin, Noguiera/Griffin. Add in there Jones/Vera and Mousasi/King Mo, Light Heavyweight has some monster fights this year.
And this is all without the best P4P fighter in the World fighting at the weight (SILVA).
Posted By: Guest#8428 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 11:12 AM
NO JARDINE!! AT LAST!! I know there are a lot of guys with sucky recent records, like Forrest, Franklin and Couture, but Jardine's record since 2008 isn't just poor, it's awful.
Anyway, onwards and upwards - if Gegard Mousasi gets bumped up from 7th after beating KING MO, we need to reassess the way the rankings work IMO. King Mo is undefeated, but pretty much unproven, and totally unworthy of fighting Mousasi IMO. What's next? Herschel Walker vs. Fedor Emelianenko?
Also, take Anderson Silva off the rankings. I don't like having part-time players taking up the rankings. Anderson could probably beat anyone in the LHW division, so being fifth is too low based solely on talent - but he's only had two fights at this weight class, so I wonder if he should even be that high on that basis. It sort of makes a mockery of the system. BJ isn't ranked as a welterweight, is he?
Posted By: Jon (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Good list but a few things.
Cane is way too high, his only good win is against Soku and it looks pretty clear that he will be wasted potentiol. Defintley not top 10, Franklin, Randy, Babalu, Bones and Bader all deserve to be higher. I think even Vera, Davis, Kyrstof, Hammil or King Mo chould be higher.
Happy to see Bader in the top 15 now, good too see you guys vote for him. What about Phil Davis? Stann is a decent win, undefeated and very talented. Possibly too soon right now.
Finally, Drwazl is a good fighter with some sweet skills but he has been fighting at MW for a while now.
Anyway good list boys, keep it up.
Posted By: Guest#6560 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 11:48 AM
From Steeler Steve:
Note to editors.... Do you have any pics of Arlovski not getting knocked out that you could place next to his list of being knocked out? Maybe after the charity boxing, at least we will have a new pic of him being knocked out.
There are lots of pics of Andrei Arlovski in poses other than falling to the mat."""" um,so why not post one?
Posted By: Steeler Steve (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 12:36 PM
luis cane is overated quite a bit just when looking at the guys unimpressive victories. I go as far to say that Baders are more impressive.
Posted By: Zab Judaaaaaah (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Griffin should be higher on this list. He beat 2 and 3 and lost to 4 and 5 within his last 5 fights. That is much more impressive than anything Lil Nog or Gegard has accompished recently. He should be #6. I wonder if he beats Lil Nog (and I am not discrediting Lil Nog - just saying Forrest's recent resume is more impressive) how the haters will discredit that victory like they did his wins over Rampage and Shogun.
And as far as you saying I had revisionist history in the commentsd section and that Fedor has faced top competition in Arlovski and Sylvia, that is hog wash. Both were allowed to leave by the UFC because they could not hang with the current crop of heavys in the UFC. Lesnar defeating Mir, who in turn destroys Big Nog (insert excuse here) is impressive. Fedor beating Sylvia who in turn is humiliated by Mercer not so impressive. And none of that changes the fact that Fedor is still in position not to fight a top 8 guy for years. Again my point was not that Fedor is not the best, but that if all of the big names in the UFC are fighting each other at some point I would like to see Fedor fight one of them as well to prove he is still the best.
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 03:12 PM
Wyatt I think what he meant was that Fedor looks more impressive because he and Nog are peers and Nog has fallen off while Fedor continues to dominate.
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Im sorry but A.silva shouldnt be at #5, he's fought once at LHW and that was almost a year ago. So i'll call bullshit on that
Posted By: Its Shogun Bitch (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 07:01 PM
why the fuck is rampage number 3 he hasnt fought in a year and the last two people he beat arent even ranked anymore. i wouldnt even rank him until the rashad fight is over. thing is on this site you guys rank on what most of these guys ahve done in the past ie. fedor if you guys actually ranked him for people hes beat recently i dont think hed make the top 5
Posted By: Guest#2655 (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 07:33 PM
Mousasi needs to sign with the UFC so he can fight top competition. Until he does so (or fights Henderson) he is ranked too high.
Posted By: KSti (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 10:11 PM
WHERE'S TITO!!!
He's only stunk cuz of a back injury lol
Posted By: mae (Guest) on March 03, 2010 at 11:11 AM
From Steeler Steve:
Note to editors.... Do you have any pics of Arlovski not getting knocked out that you could place next to his list of being knocked out? Maybe after the charity boxing, at least we will have a new pic of him being knocked out.
There are lots of pics of Andrei Arlovski in poses other than falling to the mat."""" um,so why not post one?
Posted By: Steeler Steve (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 12:36 PM
I mean no disrespect from the picture. I like to use pictures from their most recent fights and in his last two, he was knocked out. Taking the emotion out of it, it is a great picture. However, you are probably right. I'll change the picture in the future.
Posted By: Jonathan Solomon
In the column you just finished "reading".
Posted By: Guest#7365 (Guest) on March 03, 2010 at 03:01 PM
From Steeler Steve:
Note to editors.... Do you have any pics of Arlovski not getting knocked out that you could place next to his list of being knocked out? Maybe after the charity boxing, at least we will have a new pic of him being knocked out.
There are lots of pics of Andrei Arlovski in poses other than falling to the mat."""" um,so why not post one?
Posted By: Steeler Steve (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 12:36 PM
I mean no disrespect from the picture. I like to use pictures from their most recent fights and in his last two, he was knocked out. Taking the emotion out of it, it is a great picture. However, you are probably right. I'll change the picture in the future.
Posted By: Jonathan Solomon
In the column you just finished "reading".
Posted By: Guest#3267 (Guest) on March 03, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Solomon,
Here's your write-up about Big Nog from last week:
"Unlike his first TKO loss, Big Nog does not have a serious illness to blame. Simply put, he was too slow to stand and bang with Cain Velasquez. It was amazing to see that unfold because just six months ago, we watched him look great against Randy Couture in a tough fight. Does this mean Big Nog's days of being a top heavyweight are over? Not for nothing, but doesn't this make Fedor all the more impressive?"
And your comment in regards to my comment from this week:
"From Wyatt Beougher:
Wait, let me get this straight - you think Velazquez knocking out Nog so impressively in turn makes Fedor look MORE impressive? When Fedor couldn't finish Nog?
Said who?"
Apparently, said you.
Posted By: Wyatt Beougher (Guest) on March 02, 2010 at 08:51 AM
I think the point he was trying to make is that doesn't the fact that Fedor hasn't fallen off and started to get knocked out in first rounds after all these years is impressive when you see what is happening to Big Nog. It wasnt the fact that Cain knocked out Nog that makes Fedor impressive. Its the fact that the same thing hasn't started to happen to Fedor that is impressive. At least I think that was his point.
Posted By: Town Drunk (Guest) on March 03, 2010 at 03:05 PM
What's next? Herschel Walker vs. Fedor Emelianenko?
Also, take Anderson Silva off the rankings. I don't like having part-time players taking up the rankings. Anderson could probably beat anyone in the LHW division, so being fifth is too low based solely on talent - but he's only had two fights at this weight class, so I wonder if he should even be that high on that basis. It sort of makes a mockery of the system. BJ isn't ranked as a welterweight, is he?
First off Walker doesn't fight in Fedor's weight class, so probably not Mr. Dramatically trying to make a point and looking foolish all at the same time.
Second I don't know if you read the rules for these rankings, but Silva does still make the LH rankings based on the preset rules. When he no longer qualifies he will no longer be on the list.
You just REALLY wanted to post something didnt you?
Posted By: Guest#9424 (Guest) on March 03, 2010 at 03:10 PM
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