411's MMA Rankings 09.26.07: Light Heavyweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 09.26.2007
After the fallout of UFC 76, where does your favorite Light Heavyweight rank?
Welcome to the latest edition of 411's Official MMA rankings. This time we are ranking a division that currently is an a complete overhaul due to last weekend's UFC PPV. Two of the top Light Heavyweight's in the World suffered upsets which puts these rankings in a complete and utter mess. How do you rank the top Light Heavyweight in the World when Shogun has beaten Rampage, but Shogun lost to Forrest Griffin. Rampage has beaten Chuck Liddell, but lost to Shogun. Tito Ortiz has beaten Forrest Griffin, but has lost to Chuck Liddell. Trust me, it continues all the way down. This is easily the hardest set of rankings we have done yet. Thank GOD for a group vote!
Before I get to the actual rankings, let's discuss my thoughts on the last UFC PPV. A PPV that was aptly titled "Knockout", when ironically......there were no actual televised knockouts.
Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Tavares: This fight was everything I thought it was going to be. An exciting fight that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, even though I knew it was going to a decision. Griffin is a tough 155 pounder. The way he is so relaxed when somebody takes his back surprised me. Thiago kept trying for the submissions but just couldn't get them locked. It's disappointing that Thiago suffered his first MMA loss, but you can't hate on Tyson Griffin because he looks like one bad mother fucker.
Lyoto Machida vs. Nakamura: I was going into this fight knowing that it was not going to be as exciting as the first fight. Usually that's what happens when I watch a Machida fight. Nakamura did a decent job on Machida, but I was personally waiting for Nakamura to freeze time then apply a rear naked choke on Machida, then unfreeze time and scream "I DID IT!" Yes, in my column you get references to HEROES!
Diego Sanchez vs. Jon Fitch: Diego looked INTENSE at the beginning of the fight which had me a little worried that I picked Fitch by decision. That soon changed as the fight went on. Fitch is on an amazing roll in the UFC right now and not even the train known as Diego Sanchez could de-rail him. Fitch was almost caught in some of Diego's submissions but kept escaping. I think maybe Diego was a little too intense for his own good as he could never finish Fitch. Fitch should get one more fight in the UFC, and if he wins he could very well be facing the winner of GSP vs. Hughes/Serra for the Welterweight title.
Shogun Rua vs. Forrest Griffin: Yes, I don't even want to talk about this fight. What the hell happened to Shogun? Did he underestimate Forrest? Who knows. All's I know is Shogun was gassed in the second round. THE SECOND ROUND? I've seen Shogun fight in fights way longer then 8 minutes, so why the hell was he so gassed? I about threw a hammer at my television when I saw Forrest apply that rear naked choke on Shogun and then Shogun tapped. What is up with PRIDE fighters failing in UFC? See: Cro Cop, Mirko.
Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine: It's now become apparent that Chuck Liddell has made his name in the World of MMA mainly by knocking out wrestler's. Now there's been a few exceptions, but Liddell's name is falling fast in the eyes of many MMA experts and he needs to get back on track and soon. Personally, I didn't think Jardine dominated him at all, except for the body kicks.......and with the way Jardine's face looked after the fight, I might have been tempted to give the fight too Liddell. Maybe it's personal bias, but this fight might even fuck the Light Heavyweight Rankings up more then the Shogun/Forrest fight. How much does Liddell fall after losing TWO straight fights, and one of those fights comes from a man who just lost a fight to a relative unknown in Houston Alexander? Kill me now.
Overall, a disappointing card winners-wise, but a good card fighting-wise. Can't take anything away from Jardine and Griffin though, both of them looked good.....especially Forrest.
Enough with the talking. Now for the reason you all clicked on this......
411's Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Quinton Jackson (28-6-1)
Last ranking: 2
Last 3 fights:
- 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
- vs. Marvin Eastman - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Who's Rampage going to face next? He's beaten Liddell twice, he's lost to Shogun, but Shogun just lost to Forrest. He's beaten Dan Henderson. He has two losses to Wanderlei Silva....so that could be a possibility, but Silva needs to beat somebody in the UFC first. He refuses to fight Tito Ortiz because they are good friends. It's a strong possibility that the UFC could give a title shot to Forrest Griffin. But now we have to play the waiting game. It'll be some interesting months ahead for the UFC Light Heavyweight Champ.
Featured fight: Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Lindland - July 22, 2006
2) Dan Henderson (22-6)
Last ranking: 4
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via KO (left hook) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Vitor Belfort - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
Featured fight: Dan Henderson vs. Crezio de Souza - June 15, 1997
3) Wanderlei Silva (31-7-1-1)
Last ranking: 5
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via KO (left hook) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Loss via KO (head kick) - PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
- vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute - July 7, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Making UFC debut in December
Notes: Yes, Wanderlei is still making his UFC debut in December. But who he is going to fight still remains up in the air. Dana White said repeatedly that Liddell would have to beat Jardine in order to face Silva, and Liddell lost. Many MMA fans are still clamoring for that dream fight. There is a strong possibility that White makes a Silva/Griffin fight, with the winner getting a title shot at Rampage. Wanderlei has beaten Rampage twice and remains the strongest possibility to knock Rampage off the top of his UFC throne. However, Wanderlei has come out and said he would like to fight Forrest Griffin, so that also remains a possibility.
Featured fight: Wanderlei Silva vs. Todd Medina - August 12, 2000
4) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3)
Last ranking: 1
Last 3 fights:
- 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
- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Notes: Shogun finally made his long awaited UFC debut, and needless to say.....it was a horrible one. He was gassed in the second round and was thoroughly dominated by Forrest Griffin in the third round. The former #1 Light Heavyweight in the World has some serious ground to make up if he wants to be considered a threat to the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, a man he has already beat once.
Featured Fight: Shogun Rua vs. Angelo Antonio - August 1, 2003
5) Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-1)
Last ranking: 6
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Ricardo Arona - Win via KO (punch) - PRIDE 34: Kamikaze - April 8, 2007
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE 33 - Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Glover Teixeira - Loss via KO (strikes) - WEC 24 - Full Force - October 12, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
6) Chuck Liddell (20-5)
Last ranking: 3
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 66- Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Notes: What lies ahead for the UFC's Golden Boy? He is coming off of two straight losses and the last loss to Jardine could throw a wrench into the plans of a Silva/Liddell "dream fight". Personally, I would still pay for a Silva/Liddell fight but would the average UFC fan? There were rumors swirling about that Liddell was contemplating retirement, but those rumors were squashed by Liddell's long time trainer on Monday. Now reports are that Liddell wants to fight Shogun.
Featured fight: Chuck Liddell vs. His toughest opponent yet - Date unknown
7) Forrest Griffin (15-4)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Mauricio Rua - Win by submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Hector Ramirez - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - July 16, 2007
- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss by TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Griffin shocked most of the World by beating Shogun Rua at last weekend's UFC PPV. Shogun was the ranking 411 #1 Light Heavyweight in the World. Where Forrest goes from here is anybody's guess. It wouldn't surprise me personally to see either a rematch against Jardine, or for the UFC to give Forrest a title shot against Rampage. However, Wanderlei Silva has come out and publicly stated that he would love to face Forrest Griffin, so that fight remains a possibility as well. Forrest is currently 6-2 in his UFC career, and almost always gives the fans an exciting fight.
Featured fight: Forrest Griffin vs. Jeff Monson - June 29, 2002
8) Keith Jardine (13-3-1)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win by decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Houston Alexander - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win by TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Jardine scored the biggest win of his MMA career last weekend when he upset Chuck Liddell. It's possible Jardine would be getting a title shot against Rampage had he not been upset himself, by relative unknown Houston Alexander. Jardine is now 5-2 in his UFC career and there's no telling what's next for him. He could get a rematch with Forrest, who he beat the first time, with the winner getting a title shot. There's also a chance he could fight Houston Alexander again in an effort to make up for his previous loss. Jardine remains a scary striker in the UFC scene.
Featured fight: Keith Jardine vs. His breakfast - Date unknown
9) Rashad Evans (10-0-1)
Last ranking: 9
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Sean Salmon - Win via KO (high kick) - UFC Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - UFC 78 - November 17, 2007
Notes: It's now official that the Ortiz/Evans rematch is going to take place at UFC 78 on November 17 in Newark, New Jersey. The two last fought at UFC 73 in a controversial fight that ended in a draw. Without a main event currently scheduled for UFC 78, it's looking like Ortiz/Evans could be the main event.
10) Tito Ortiz (15-5-1)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Rashad Evans - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (punches) - Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter - October 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 78 - November 17, 2007
Notes: See, Rashad Evans
On the bubble:
(On the bubble includes fighters who almost cracked the Top 10. These fighters remain serious threats in their current division)
Lyoto Machida (11-0)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. David Heath - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Sam Hoger - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
Ricardo Arona (13-5)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Loss via KO (punch) - PRIDE 34: Kamikaze - April 8, 2007
- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via submission (strikes) - PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss via decision (split) - PRIDE Shockwave 2005 - December 31, 2005
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (12-3)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Loss via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute - July 7, 2006
- vs. Mauricio Rua - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE Critical Countdown 2005 - June 6, 2005
Houston Alexander (9-1)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Alessio Sakara - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Todd Allee - No contest - Extreme Challenge 76 - March 31, 2007
