411's MMA Rankings 10.10.07: Welterweight & Lightweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 10.10.2007
These set of rankings could be debated for weeks!
Welcome to the newest edition of 411mania's Official MMA rankings! This time around we are ranking 2 divisions. Why? Basically so I can try to squeeze each division in monthly. So yes, this column will be a little longer, and a little more interesting especially with the debate about Matt Serra being the #1 Welterweight in the World. Many people are not happy with Serra being ranked #1, and they believe that Georges St. Pierre is the #1 Welterweight in the World. However, some people are in the mindset that if St. Pierre is the #1 Welterweight then why did Serra completely own him in their fight for the UFC Welterweight Title? It should be a very interesting rankings to say the least.
And what about the Lightweight Division? A lot of people say Takanori Gomi is the #1 Lightweight in the World. However, in his last MMA fight he got beat by Nick Diaz (the fight was later ruled a "No contest" due to Diaz failing a drug test), a fighter who a lot of people have unranked. So why should he be the #1 Lightweight in the World? What about a guy like Kid Yamamoto, who is 16-1 and fights at both Lightweight and Featherweight? What about BJ Penn, who a lot of people have in their Top 10 Pound for Pound MMA fighters, yet have him in the bottom of the Lightweight Division? Rankings can be REALLY confusing sometimes. Yes, I love my job!
Enough with the questions! Let's get on with the show!
411's Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) Georges St. Pierre (14-2)
Last ranking: 2
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Matt Serra - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via KO (head kick & strikes) UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
Next scheduled appereance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: The rumor right now is, that St. Pierre will be facing the winner of the Serra/Hughes fight sometime in April of 2008.
Featured fight: Georges St. Pierre vs. Dave Strasser - January 29, 2005
2) Matt Serra (9-4)
Last ranking: 1
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via decision (split) - The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale - November 11, 2006
- vs. Karo Parysian - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 53: Heavy Hitters - June 4, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Matt Hughes - The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale - Season Finale
Notes: Serra is currently hosting the newest season of The Ultimate Fighter currently airing on SPIKE! At the end of TUF, he will be facing Matt Hughes and defending his UFC Welterweight Title in a much anticipated fight!
3) Matt Hughes (41-5)
Last ranking: 3
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
- vs. B.J. Penn - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
Next scheduled appereance:
- vs. Matt Serra - The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale - Season Finale
Notes: Matt Hughes recently announced on The Ultimate Fighter 6 that he believes he only has 2 or 3 more fights left in him before he walks away from MMA. Hughes has gone public and stated that if Rich Franklin loses to Anderson Silva, and Hughes loses to Serra, Hughes would contemplate going up to Middleweight and facing Anderson Silva for the Middleweight Title.
Featured fight: Matt Hughes vs. Jorge Pereira - January 15, 2000
4) Jon Fitch (15-2)
Last ranking: 7
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Roan Carneiro - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC Fight Night 10 - June 12, 2007
- vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
Next scheduled appereance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Speaking of a guy who deserves a UFC Welterweight Title shot! Fitch is now 7-0 in his UFC career, and is on an amazing roll. I never imagined how bad The Ultimate Fighter would mess up the Welterweight Division. There are 3 guys in my mind who deserve a Welterweight title shot. Fitch, St. Pierre, and of course, Matt Hughes. Since St. Pierre isn't getting his shot till around April of 08, it would be awhile before somebody like Fitch gets a title shot. Blasphemy!
5) Karo Parisyan (17-4)
Last ranking: 4
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Josh Burkman - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Drew Fickett - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 6 - August 17, 2006
Next scheduled appereance:
- vs. Unnamed opponent - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
Notes: Karo recently announced he would be stepping back into the Octagon in November, when he faces a currently unnamed opponent. No doubt if Karo wins, then his name has to remain atop the list of potential Welterweights who deserve a shot at the Welterweight title.
Featured fight: Karo Parisyan vs. Nate Diaz - The Ultimate Fighter 5
6) Josh Koscheck (9-2)
Last ranking: 5
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Jeff Joslin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
7) Jake Shields (19-4-1)
Last ranking: 8
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Renato Verissimo - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Uprising - September 15, 2007
- vs. Ido Pariente - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - K-1 HERO's DYNAMITE!! USA - July 2, 2007
- vs. Ray Steinbeiss - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - BodogFight: Costa Rica - February 18, 2007
Next scheduled appereance:
- vs. Mike Pyle - Unnamed EliteXC Event - November 10, 2007
Notes: Shields recently had a victory over Verissimo at the latest EliteXC event. Shields has now won 8 fights in a row and hasn't lost since 2004. Talk about a fighter on the upswing.
Featured fight: Jake Shields vs. Hayato Sakurai - December 14, 2002
8) Diego Sanchez (17-2)
Last ranking: 6
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Jon Fitch - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via KO (knee) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
Next scheduled appereance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Diego suffered only the second (yet consecutive) loss of his career last month against Jon Fitch. Diego has now lost two fights in a row. However, Diego recently hinted that he might be dropping to the Lightweight Division. There is no doubt in my mind that if Diego dropped, he could easily move up the ranks of the Lightweight Division. Imagine Diego vs. Penn, Diego vs. Stevenson, Diego vs. Diaz! It just doesn't stop! Move down Diego. Move down!
Featured fight: Diego Sanchez vs. Shannon Rich - December 15, 2002
9) Shinya Aoki (11-2)
Last ranking: 9
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Brian Lo-A-Njoe - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE 34: Kamikaze - April 8, 2007
- vs. Akira Kikuchi - Win via decision (split) - Shooto: Back To Our Roots - April 17, 2007
- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via submission (gogoplata) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
Featured fight: Shinya Aoki vs. Keith Wisniewski - January 29, 2005
10)Carlos Condit (21-4)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Brock Larson - Win via submission (armbar) - WEC 29 - August 5, 2007
- vs. John Alessio - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 26 - March 24, 2007
- vs. Kyle Jensen - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 25 - January 20, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighter's who aren't ranked yet still are a threat in the division)
Yoshiyuki Yoshida (8-2)
Last ranking: 10
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Akira Kikuchi - Win via TKO (elbows) - GCM: Cage Force 4 - September 8, 2007
- vs. Matt Cain - Win via TKO (strikes) - GCM: Cage Force EX - May 27, 2007
- vs. Katsuya Inoue - Win via KO (punch) - GCM: Cage Force 2 - March 17, 2007
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Takanori Gomi (27-3)
Last ranking: 1
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Nick Diaz - No contest (originally lost via submission) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Marcus Aurelio - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Gomi is still one of the hottest MMA free agents around. He has publicly gone on record and stated that he has no intentions of fighting in the UFC, or America.
Featured fight: Takanori Gomi vs. Ralph Gracie - May 23, 2004
2) Gilbert Melendez (13-0)
Last ranking: 3
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Tetsuji Kato - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion - September 29, 2007
- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Nobuhiro Obiya - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Melendez continued his undefeated streak with a win over Kato at the Strikeforce Playboy Mansion show last month. Melendez remains one of, if not the hottest name in the Lightweight Division.
3)Gesias Calvancanti (14-1-1)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- 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
- vs. Nam Phan - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S Dynamite!! USA - June 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: JZ Calvancanti recently beat Shaolin & Andre Amade in the same night to win K-1 HERO'S Lightweight Tournament. He's a name on the uprise in the Lightweight Division.
4) B.J. Penn (11-4-1)
Last ranking: 6
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Jens Pulver - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale - June 6, 2007
- vs. Matt Hughes - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 58: USA vs. Canada - March 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: The UFC recently announced that if Sean Sherk's appeal to the CSAC does not get overturned, then he will be stripped of the UFC Lightweight title. The title would then be put up for grabs with Penn most likely squaring off against Joe Stevenson sometime in December.
Featured fight: BJ Penn vs. Duane Ludwig - May 22, 2004
5) Sean Sherk (31-2-1)
Last ranking: 8
Last 3 fights:
- 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
- vs. Nick Diaz - Win via decision - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently suspended
Notes: Sherk's appeal to the CSAC is coming up. That's where he will find out the consequences and his future for the upcoming year. This will also impact the status of his UFC Lightweight Title.
Featured fight: Sean Sherk vs. Kenny Florian - October 13, 2006
6) Tatsuya Kawajiri (19-4-2)
Last ranking: 5
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Per Eklund - Win via TKO (strikes) - Shooto: Champion Carnival - October 14, 2006
- vs. Chris Brennan - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
Featured fight: Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Jani Lax - April 23, 2005
7) Vitor Ribeiro (19-2)
Last ranking: 6
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Gesias Calvancanti - Loss via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S Tournament Final - September 17, 2007
- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - K-1 HERO's Middleweight Tournament Opening Round - July 16, 2007
- vs. Ryuki Ueyama - Win via submission (triangle/arm bar) - K-1 HERO's 8 - March 12, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Shaolin suffered a setback last month when he suffered only the second loss of his MMA career at the hands of Calvancanti. This ended his 9 fight win streak. It'll be interesting to see what Shaolin does next.
Featured fight: Vitor Ribeiro vs. Ryuki Ueyama - March 12, 2007
TIED - 8) Hayato Sakurai (30-2)
Last ranking: 2
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Mac Danzig - Win via KO (punch) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Luciano Azevedo - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
- vs. Olaf Alfonso - Win via KO (punch) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2005 - December 31, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
Featured fight: Hayato Sakurai vs. Sergei Bytchkov - October 28, 1998
TIED - 8) Joe Stevenson (28-7)
Last ranking: 10
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Kurt Pellegrino - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Melvin Guillard - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC Fight Night 9 - April 5, 2007
- vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: It was recently announced that if Sean Sherk's appeal is denied and he is indeed suspended, he will be stripped of the UFC Lightweight Title. A fight would then be set up for the UFC Lightweight Title, with the fight more than likely occuring between Stevenson and BJ Penn sometime in December of 2008. Interesting times ahead for Joe Daddy.
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TIED - 10) Joachim Hansen (15-5-1)
Last ranking: 7
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Jason Ireland - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via submission (gogoplata) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Luiz Azeredo - Win via KO (knee) - PRIDE: Bushido 10 - April 2, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Joachim is currently waiting out his PRIDE contract so he can start negotiating with other fight companies. His current PRIDE contract is said to end at the end of December of 2008.
Featured fight: Joachim Hansen vs. Metin Yakut - April 5, 2004
TIED - 10) Mitsuhiro Ishida (14-3-1)
Last ranking: 9
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Kevin Karney - Win via decision (unanimous) - CW: Cage Wars - April 21, 2007
- vs. Takanori Gomi - Loss via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. David Bielkheden - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Notes: Nothing new to report.
Featured fight: Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Shinya Sato - March 12, 2005
On The Bubble:
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (16-1-1)
Last ranking: 4
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Bibiano Fernandes - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 HERO's 11 - September 17, 2007
- vs. Istvan Majoros - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2006
- vs. Kazyuki Miyata - Win via KO (flying knee) - K-1 HERO's 5 - May 3, 2006
Tyson Griffin (10-1)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Thiago Tavares - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Clay Guida - Win via decision (split) - UFC 72: Victory - June 18, 2007
- vs. Frank Edgar - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
