411's MMA Rankings 01.17.12: Featherweight Division

Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 01.17.2012

See where Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes rank after their fight in Brazil. Can the Korean Zombie make his 411 Rankings debut after knocking out Mark Hominick? Check out the 411 MMA Rankings to see who the best featherweights are!




Welcome to the 411 MMA Rankings, this is the place to go if you want to know who the very best fighters are. The spotlight turns to the featherweight division and that means one thing: JOSE ALDO. Fighting for the first time in his home country (Brazil) since 2007, he looked like one of the biggest superstars in the history of the sport. He knocked out top contender Chad Mendes and followed that up by crowd surfing amongst some of the most elated people in the world.

Since becoming featherweight champion in WEC when he beat Mike Brown, Aldo has reeled off wins against Urijah Faber, Manny Gamburyan, Mark Hominick, Kenny Florian and now Mendes. Whether he fights Chan Sung Jung or Hatsu Hioki or Dustin Poirier in 2012, can you foresee him succumbing to any of those challengers?

Speaking of the man known as the Korean Zomboe, Chan Sung Jung is coming off an impressive showing in Canada last month where he knocked out Mark Hominick. Having ended his past two fights with crowd pleasing finishes (the twister and a knockout), he's automatically among the big fan favorites in this division.

However, one reason he is not getting a title shot right now is because of Hatsu Hioki. The former Sengoku and Shooto champion is now back in the #2 spot with Mendes' loss. On tap for Hioki is a match-up against Bart Palaszewski next month in Japan. The platform gives him an opportunity to get the attention of UFC brass and earn his first UFC title shot. A poor performance or a loss could cost him a title shot in the immediate future.

With Bellator still on hiatus before its season six return in March, let's talk about Dream. In the Far East, they held their annual New Year's Eve action and a pair of featherweights were featured. Champion Hiroyuki Takaya beat on Takeshi Inoue for three rounds, rendering the latter's striking useless. Meanwhile, former lightweight Tatsuya Kawajiri continued his impressive streak since dropping to featherweight in 2011. He overpowered Kazuyuki Miyata, gained dominant position and choked him out. I would not be surprised if 2012 sees the Crusher emerge as a top 8 featherweight if he can continue with such impressive performances.

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Feedback to Last Week's Lightweight Rankings

From RP:
Joe lauzon over Donald cerrone and Eddie alverez?! Cerrone was on a four fight winning streak before the Diaz fight and alverez was regarded a top 5 LW before the Chandler fight yes lauzon win over guillard was IMPRESSIVE but still dont think he deserves to be higher than those 2
Cerrone suffered a big drop after the loss to Diaz, all the way to #13. Some emphasized it more because he did look so poorly. As for Alvarez, he takes a hit for losing to the unranked Michael Chandler at the time. Plus, it's just a fact that the Bellator champs have less of a cushion when they suffer a loss. Additionally, Lauzon's impressive win over Guillard is still fresh in many minds. We shall see where he ends up after fighting Anthony Pettis next month.

From Jared B.:
Rankings...I'll bite. I'll hold my tongue on Melendez #2 for beating a fringe top 20 guy whose claim to fame is losing to a really convoluted submission - well I guess I didn't. And how can Anthony Pettis be #10 and Ben Henderson be #3? Pettis beat Henderson less than 13 months ago, one decision loss since then to the #5 guy should not leave him at #10. I know this is a hard division to rank, but c'mon. Also, I know this site loves Michael Chandler but he should be lower if ranked in the top 15 at all. I think a lot of holes in Alvarez's game were exposed in that fight and it was obvious he was a bit overranked. The competition in this division outside the UFC is shallow. Guys like Melendez, Alvarez, Chandler would struggle with the middle of the pack LWs like Evan Dunham and Gleison Tibau in the UFC.
Anthony Pettis is 1-1 since the December 2010 win over Ben Henderson. The win came over unranked Jeremy Stephens. Bendo is 3-0 since that same fight with two wins over top 5 ranked fighters (Clay Guida and Jim Miller….remember also that Guida beat Pettis).

Why are you so sure Gilbert Melendez would struggle in the UFC? Has he displayed a poor wrestling ability? A weak chin?

From 411's Jon Butterfield:
Jared... Anthony Pettis lost to Guida, and SCRAPED past Jeremy Stephens. Stephens is a guy who has NEVER been ranked, and being a stand up fighter, Pettis was expected to prove himself a class above. He didn't. So if he's not a class above Jeremy Stephens, but just BARELY better... should he really be higher than #10?

He can't hang on to the Henderson win his whole career I'm afraid. In fact, if he loses to Lauzon he'll be lucky to be top 15.
A loss to Lauzon for Pettis would certainly knock him down into the borderline category of ranked lightweights.

From Jared B.:
The fact is that Pettis beat Stephens. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. You're looking for a reason to discredit him, when in fact a guy who holds a fairly recent and fairly clear cut win over the #3 should not be #10.

Volkmann and Fodor honestly deserve to be in these rankings more than Alvarez and Chandler honestly. I believe this site, or at least one outlet had Justin Wilcox at #15 which was a fairly agreeable ranking and Fodor just destroyed him in thirteen seconds.
See my logic above about Pettis.

Volkmann is borderline, he needs to fight better competition to limit the arguments against him. Fodor definitely is in the same category following his win over Justin Wilcox. It's also obvious you have some hang up about Bellator fighters. I'm not sure why. Alvarez was one of the best lightweights in the division for a three year period and only recently lost to Chandler. Meanwhile, Chandler beat a top 5 fighter and is undefeated.

From MJH:
I have no problems with 1-5 besides the fact that Gil is stuck in Strikeforce with no one to fight.

Aoki at 6 I do not like at all. Can't get the Gil fight out of my head, haven't seem him beat anybody I consider of note. His 4-0 2011 consisted of beating Challenger, TUF and WEC rejects. (and I know Fancy pants wasn't a Challenger reject and McCullough held the WEC title a long time ago, but you know what I mean).

I hate Nate Diaz. But he is #6. He was awesome his last two fights.

Anthony Pettis slides in at #8. Jim Miller at #9. I'll give Aoki 10. Only then do I consider Bellator guys. And I struggle seeing Chandler beating Cerrone or Guillard. Maybe Lauzon. So I go 11. Cerrone, 12. Guillard, 13. Chandler, 14. Lauzon and 15. Alvarez. There's the list.
It's tough to knock Aoki down since the only loss he's had in recent years was to Gilbert Melendez, a perennial top 3 fighter. There is always going to be hesitation towards him because of his style and fighting predominantly in Japan, but he's been so dominant besides the one fight.

I think Mark Munoz could beat Anderson Silva. I wouldn't rank him #1 above Silva though. I base mine off of accomplishments. Aoki has accomplished more than Pettis. Miller has done more than Pettis. Chandler is in the mix because he knocked off Alvarez.

Besides, why would you have Guillard two spots ahead of Lauzon despite being choked out by him?

From Baron Skinny:
There's some serious strength in depth in the Lightweight Rankings. Can't wait to see Edgar vs. Henderson as that should be a classic.
I'd say that perhaps Pettis should be a bit higher but the rankings seem pretty fair to me.
Without a doubt, Edgar/Henderson has me pumped. Just like Cerrone/Diaz, minus the anger, I'm expecting an action packed war.

From Royce:
I dont really care for your 9-13. I dont think Cerrone should be ranked that low for losing a decision to your # 7 given his last 5 total fights. So Nate loses back to back fight then beats and aging Gomi and picks up a decision against Cerrone and gets # 7? IMO you should have Chandler # 7, Miller # 8, Alvarez # 9, Diaz # 10, Cerrone # 11, Pettis # 12, and Lauzon # 13.
Note that Diaz was actually ranked at #13 when he beat #7 Cerrone. Diaz leap frogged Lauzon, Miller, Pettis and obviously, Cerrone (with Alvarez and Masvidal suffering losses) to get to #7.

From KSti:
I don't see why Maynard keeps dropping. He still belongs at #2.

I'd also rank Cerrone a little higher at 12 and Aoki would be right after him at 13 with Alvarez at 14.
Maynard dropped because he was knocked out. Plus, while he went 0-1-1 in 2011, Henderson knocked off two top 5 fighters. Melendez has continued his string of victories, too. It will be intriguing to see what happens in the aftermath of Edgar/Henderson and whether Maynard will return to the top 3. I would imagine if Bendo pulls off the upset, Maynard would stick at 4.



Thanks for all the comments and questions, it is all, always welcome and appreciated!

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Rankings From One Year Ago
02.08.11

1. Jose Aldo

2. Hatsu Hioki

3. Chad Mendes

4. Mark Hominick

5. Joe Warren

6. Marlon Sandro

7. Manny Gamburyan

8. Hiroyuki Takaya

9. Diego Nunes

10. Dustin Poirier

11. Bibiano Fernandes

12. Michihiro Omigawa

13. Josh Grispi

14. Rafael Assuncao

15. Joe Soto

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411's MMA Ranking Rules

- A fighter must fight at least once within the past calendar year to be ranked. The rule applies to weight classes as well so fighters must stay active inside their native weight class. However, if a fighter has a fight scheduled, they are eligible to be ranked.

- If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points shall be deducted to balance out between other fighters who may have been ranked lower, but appeared on more total ballots.

- Use the comments section below to show support or hate on the 411 MMA Rankings.

- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the MMA staff of 411mania. So if you're an MMA fighter like Michael Bisping, please aim for the 411mania HQ windows instead of the floor. Lord Csonka just had them buffed. Thank you.

* denotes a statistical tie.

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411's Official MMA Rankings

Featherweight Division (145 lbs)





1) Jose Aldo (21-1)

Height: 5'7

Birthday: September 9, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Chad Mendes - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes - January 14, 2012

- vs. Kenny Florian - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard 3 - October 8, 2011

- vs. Mark Hominick - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields - April 30, 2011

- vs. Manny Gamburyan - Win via KO (punches) - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan - September 30, 2010

- vs. Urijah Faber - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber - April 24, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: WOW! After displaying one of the most dominant performances in UFC history, Aldo was so ecstatic, he ran into the crowd to celebrate with his fellow Brazilians. He was able to completely shut down any of Chad Mendes' offense, rendering his powerful wrestling skills moot. The fight ended with one second remaining in the round when after a skirmish, Aldo landed a perfect knee to Mendes' face, knocking him out. If you want to see as close to a perfect fighter as there can be, take a look at this man right now.

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2) Hatsu Hioki (25-4-2)

Height: 5'11

Birthday: July 18, 1983

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. George Roop - Win via decision (split) - UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - October 29, 2011

- vs. Donald Sanchez - Win via submission (triangle choke) - Shooto Tradition 2011 - April 29, 2011

- vs. Marlon Sandro - Win via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku: Soul of Fight - December 30, 2010

- vs. Jeff Lawson - Win via submission (Triangle choke) - Sengoku 14 - August 22, 2010

- vs. Takeshi Inoue - Win via decision (split) - Shooto: Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon 3 - May 30, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

-vs. Bart Palaszewski - UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson - February 25, 2012

Comment: Hioki returns to the silver medal spot in this division, and has an opportunity next month to stamp his claim to the next UFC title shot. All he must do is defeat Bart Palaszewski in Japan and Jose Aldo should find his future challenger. Whether Hioki's ground oriented style can be successful against a slugger in Palaszewski or the dominant Aldo remains to be seen.

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3) Chad Mendes (11-1)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: May 1, 1985

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jose Aldo - Loss via KO (knee) - UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes - January 14, 2012

- vs. Rani Yahya - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz - August 6, 2011

- vs. Michihiro Omigawa - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort - February 5, 2011

- vs. Javier Vazquez - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki - November 22, 2010

- vs. Cub Swanson - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez - August 18, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: It was the middle of the night in Brazil when Mendes was knocked out by Jose Aldo. Mendes' first championship fight in MMA did not go according to plan as he was simply unable to muster up much offense. Back to the drawing board he goes as he will now look to improve with newfound hunger.

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4) Pat Curran (16-4)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: August 31, 1987

Currently Fighting With: Bellator Fighting Championships

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Marlon Sandro - Win via KO (head kick) - Bellator 48 - August 20, 2011

- vs. Ronnie Mann - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 47 - July 23, 2011

- vs. Luis Palomino - Win via submission (Peruvian necktie) - Bellator 46 - June 25, 2011

- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 39 - April 2, 2011

- vs. Toby Imada - Win via decision (split) - Bellator 21 - June 10, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Joe Warren - Bellator - March 9, 2012

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5) Joe Warren (7-2)

Birthday: October 31, 1976

Currently Fighting With: Bellator Fighting Championships

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Alexis Villa - Loss via KO (punch) - Bellator 51 - September 24, 2011

- vs. Marcos Galvao - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 41 - April 16, 2011

- vs. Joe Soto - Win via KO (strikes) - Bellator 27 - September 2, 2010

- vs. Patricio Freire - Win via decision (split) - Bellator 23 - June 24, 2010

- vs. Georgi Karakhanyan - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 18 - May 13, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Pat Curran - Bellator - March 9, 2012

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6) Dustin Poirier (11-1)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: January 19, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Pablo Garza - Win via submission (D'Arce choke) - UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos - November 12, 2011

- vs. Jason Young - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 131: dos Santos vs. Carwin - June 11, 2011

- vs. Josh Grispi - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 125: Resolution - January 1, 2011

- vs. Zach Micklewright - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki - November 11, 2010

- vs. Danny Castillo - Loss via decision (unanimous) - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez - August 18, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Max Holloway - UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit - February 4, 2012

Comment: With Erik Koch succumbing to a training camp injury, Poirier is now set to fight UFC newcomer Max Holloway who holds just a 4-0 MMA record.

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7) Marlon Sandro (20-3)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: March 8, 1977

Currently Fighting With: Bellator Fighting Championships

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Rafael Dias - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - Bellator 58 - November 19, 2011

- vs. Pat Curran - Loss via KO (head kick) - Bellator 48 - August 20, 2011

- vs. Nazareno Malegarie - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 47 - July 23, 2011

- vs. Genair da Silva - Win via decision (split) - Bellator 46 - June 25, 2011

- vs. Hatsu Hioki - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku: Soul of Fight - December 30, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: Sandro will return to action in the upcoming Bellator season (expected to begin in March) as one of eight participants in the season six featherweight tournament. He made it to the finals of the season five field before being knocked out by Pat Curran. He will be the overwhelming favorite to win (again), but as we know, a lot can happen to ruin expectations.

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8*) "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung

Height: 5'9

Birthday: March 17, 1987

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Mark Hominick - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida - December 10, 2011

- vs. Leonard Garcia - Win via submission (twister) - UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis - March 26, 2011

- vs. George Roop - Loss via KO (head kick) - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan - September 30, 2010

- vs. Leonard Garcia- Loss via decision (split) - WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber - April 24, 2010

- vs. Matt Jaggers - Win via submission (triangle choke) - Sengoku 9 - August 2, 2009

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: Jung blasted his way into title contention with an impressive, seven second knockout of Mark Hominick. It marked the first time in over eight years that Hominick was knocked out (ironically, that fight ended in just 18 seconds). Despite being just the third win by KO for the Korean Zombie, clearly the man has the potential to hurt people. Coming off of his win by a twister submission in March, he's making his way up the division ladder.

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8*) Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (17-1)

Height: 5'5

Birthday: July 7, 1987

Currently Fighting With: Bellator

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Daniel Straus - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 45 - May 21, 2011

- vs. Wilson Reis - Win via KO (strikes) - Bellator 41 - April 16, 2011

- vs. Georgi Karakhanyan -Win via TKO (strikes) - Bellator 37 - March 19, 2011

- vs. Joe Warren - Loss via decision (split) - Bellator 23 - June 24, 2010

- vs. Wilson Reis - Win via decision (unanimous) - Bellator 18 - May 13, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

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10) Mark Hominick (20-10)

Height: 5'8

Birthday: July 22, 1982

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Chan Sung Jung - Loss via KO (strikes) - UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida - December 10, 2011

- vs. Jose Aldo - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields - April 30, 2011

- vs. George Roop - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC Fight For The Troops 2 - January 22, 2011

- vs. Leonard Garcia - Win via decision (split) - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan - September 30, 2010

- vs. Yves Jabouin - WIn via TKO (strikes) - WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus - June 20, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Eddie Yagin - TBA

Comment: Hominick did something he normally does not do when he fought the Korean Zombie. He was overly aggressive and ended up knocked out in seconds. Worst, the fight took place in Toronto in front of friends and family. Hominick returns to action in two months when the UFC heads back to Montreal where he will take on (15-5-1) Eddie Yagin, who lost his UFC debut in September to Junior Assuncao.

UPDATE: Well, Hominick was expected to fight in Montreal in March. That show has been canceled. It's expected that Hominick's fight with Yagin will be moved to another show, possibly in April. Stay tuned.

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11) Diego Nunes (17-2)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: November 30, 1982

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Manny Gamburyan - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem - December 30, 2011

- vs. Kenny Florian - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 131: dos Santos vs. Carwin - June 11, 2011

- vs. Mike Brown - Win via decision (split) - UFC 125: Resolution - January 1, 2011

- vs. Tyler Toner - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan - September 30, 2010

- vs. Raphael Assuncao - Win via decision (split) - WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus - June 20, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: Nunes won his first fight in December since losing to Kenny Florian last summer. He bested Manny Gamburyan in a three round decision to improve his UFC record to 2-1.

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12) Erik Koch (13-1)

Height: 5'10

Birthday: October 4, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Jonathan Brookins - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger - September 17, 2011

- vs. Raphael Assuncao - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones - March 19, 2011

- vs. Francisco Rivera - Win via TKO (head kick & punches) - WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki - November 11, 2010

- vs. Bendy Casimir - Win via submission (triangle choke) - WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus - June 20, 2010

- vs. Chad Mendes - Loss via decision (unanimous) - WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz - March 6, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Injured

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13) Hiroyuki Takaya (17-9-1)

Height: 5'6

Birthday: June 10, 1977

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Takeshi Inoue - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM: Fight for Japan 2011 - December 31, 2011

- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via decision (split) - DREAM: Japan GP Final - July 16, 2011

- vs. Robbie Peralta - Loss via decision (split) - Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley - April 9, 2011

- vs. Bibiano Fernandes - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2010 - December 31, 2010

- vs. Chase Beebe - Win via KO (strikes) - DREAM 16 - September 25, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: The Streetfight Bancho retained his DREAM championship on New Year's Eve with a three-round beat down of Takeshi Inoue. Logic says we should expect his next defense to come against Tatsuya Kawajiri and it would make for one hell of a war.

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14) Bart Palaszewski (36-14)

Height: 5'9

Birthday: May 30, 1983

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Tyson Griffin - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - October 29, 2011

- vs. Kamal Shalorus - Loss via decision (split) - WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis - December 16, 2010

- vs. Zach Micklewright - Win via KO (punch) - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez 2 - August 18, 2010

- vs. Karen Darabedyan - Win via submission (armbar) - WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz - March 6, 2010

- vs. Anthony Pettis - Win via decision (split) - WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff - December 19, 2009

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Hatsu Hioki - UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson - February 27, 2012

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15) Tatsuya Kawajiri (30-7-2)

Height: 5'7

Birthday: May 8, 1978

Currently Fighting With: DREAM

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - DREAM: Fight For Japan 2011 - December 31, 2011

- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - DREAM 17 - September 24, 2011

- vs. Drew Fickett - Win via TKO (strikes) - DREAM: Japan GP Final - July 16, 2011

- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Loss via TKO (elbows) - Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley - April 9, 2011

- vs. Josh Thomson - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2010 - December 31, 2010

Next scheduled appearance:

- Unknown

Comment: Kawajiri was as impressive as any other fighting on the New Year's Eve show in Japan. He simply overpowered wrestler Kazuyuki Miyata for their two round fight, finishing it with another arm triangle choke. He is now undefeated at featherweight, 2-0, and looks beastly compared to how you may recall seeing him at lightweight.




Final Notes: Only Yuri Alcantara received additional votes.