411's MMA Rankings 11.07.07: Middleweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 11.07.2007
The latest Middleweight rankings are in! How far does Rich Franklin fall after his loss to Anderson Silva? Does Denis Kang slip in the rankings after getting upset by Yoshihiro Akiyama? Plus, the top 5 UFC Heavyweights I'd like to see fight Brock Lesnar. You can't stop the insanity, you can only hope to contain it!
Welcome one and all to the latest edition of 411's Official MMA Rankings! This time around we are ranking the Middleweight Division. A division that is currently undergoing changes. At the top you say? I don't know. But it would be tough for somebody to knock off Anderson Silva right now. He once again beat Rich Franklin, so who's left to face Anderson Silva? That man may be on this list! Speaking of Franklin, how far does he slip in the rankings after losing twice now to Anderson Silva? How about Denis Kang? He just suffered an upset and he was 6th in our rankings last time! Certainly tons of questions regarding the Middleweight Division. But first, we have other things at hand.......
Brock Lesnar's First Opponent Announced
The UFC announced recently that former WWE star Brock Lesnar's first opponent will be none other than former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Frank Mir. The two will fight during the UFC's Super Bowl weekend show airing February 2nd, 2008. This got me to thinking. Who do I want to see Brock matched-up with the most in the UFC? I can rattle off names all day, a lot of people who aren't even in Brock's weight division. But here's the list I got. It contains all current UFC Heavyweights (except one who's contract situation is currently in limbo):
5. Brandon Vera - I know the Truth is currently coming off a loss to Tim Sylvia, but it was his first MMA loss and he had been out for a year. Give the kid some time and he will start making noise again in the UFC. What better way to start then to fight the UFC's current golden child, Lesnar. Vera likes to stand up and swing while Lesnar of course, would want to take it to the mat. They stand the same height, but Lesnar outweighs Vera by about 60 pounds. An interesting match-up indeed.
4. Gabriel Gonzaga - This match-up intrigues me because I'd love to see Lesnar face a BJJ black belt as good as Gonzaga. Gonzaga can also bang, as he showed Cro Cop. I really think this would be a bad match-up for Lesnar. They stand the same height, but Lesnar outweighs Gonzaga by about 30 pounds. Lesnar would have to truly bring his best game against a fighter like Gonzaga.
3. Tim Sylvia - This match-up will happen. One way or another for some reason I can just see into the future and see Lesnar and Sylvia banging gloves. Sylvia has the advantage in height of course, because he's a freak. But Lesnar would have the advantage weight wise. Sylvia would prefer to keep the fight standing, while Brock would probably want to grapple. This one would be tough to call, but aren't all of Tim Sylvia's fights?
2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Brock, meet a guy who would love to welcome you to the UFC. Once again, I love this match-up due to my fondness with Brazilian Jujitsu. However, this match-up would NOT be good for Lesnar, because Big Nog would probably have an Armbar on Lesnar before he could say "Shooting Star Press". Big Nog brings the goods and Lesnar is just way too inexperienced to fight somebody like him. But still, I'd pay to see it.
1. Randy Couture - C'MON! Who wouldn't pay to see this fight? I don't even have to explain why this fight would sell. The names alone could break PPV records. The WWE fans would buy it because even if they don't watch MMA, they have heard of Randy F'N Couture! And of course, they know Lesnar. So their interest would be peaked enough and they would throw down money to see these two fight. It has to happen! Randy, you need to come back and fight Lesnar. Screw the Scorpion King!
Now, the reason you clicked on this.........
411's Official MMA Rankings
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Anderson Silva (20-4)
Last ranking: 1
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Nathan Marquardt - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Travis Lutter - Win via submission (triangle choke) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Really, was there ever any doubt who was #1? Silva is by far the best Middleweight in the World. Who's left for him to fight? He won't fight Paulo Filho because they are friends. So who? If the rumors are true, Dan Henderson might be fighting at 185 in December. If Hendo starts fighting at 185 again then they need to book Hendo vs. Silva as soon as possible. Until then, Anderson Silva will remain at #1.
2) Paulo Filho (15-0)
Last ranking: 3
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Joe Doerksen - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 29 - August 5, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
- vs. Ryo Chonan - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new to report.
3) Dan Henderson (22-6)
Last ranking: 2
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
Comments: Like I said before, rumors are that Hendo might be fighting at 185lbs in December. That would be great because you know that would be leading up to a showdown with Silva! It could be time to unify the PRIDE Middleweight Title with the UFC Middleweight Title. Book it!
4) Matt Lindland (20-5)
Last ranking: 5
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Loss via submission (arm bar) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Carlos Newton - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - IFL: Houston - February 2, 2007
- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: Portland - September 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Matt Lindland recently said in an interview that he would love to come into the UFC and fight Anderson Silva. Why the UFC hasn't jumped all over The Law is beyond me. Are they still mad about what happened in his first UFC run? GET OVER IT! This fight could be money and that's really all that matters in the end!
5) Rich Franklin (22-3)
Last ranking: 4
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Yushin Okami - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007
- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: It's hard to say where Rich Franklin goes from here. What do you do when the Champ in your weight division has beaten you twice? Do you work your way up and try for a third time? Do you sit back for awhile and see if somebody else can knock him off and then challenge them? Or do you move up/down a weight class? I'm not hinting at anything, but a Rich Franklin/Forrest Griffin fight would be a joy to watch. Interesting times ahead for Mr. Franklin.
6) Yushin Okami (21-4)
Last ranking: 9
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Rich Franklin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007
- vs. Mike Swick - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Okami is a dark horse to face Anderson Silva. He is the last guy to have beaten Silva when Silva got DQed for an illegal kick. Okami lost his #1 contender fight to Rich Franklin. But if the UFC wants to capitalize on Silva's popularity and they can't get Hendo or Lindland, I could see Okami being an option. They could probably milk "They last guy to have beaten Silva" for a good amount of PPV buys.
7) Robbie Lawler (15-4)
Last ranking: 7
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Murilo Rua - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Uprising - September 15, 2007
- vs. Frank Trigg - Win via KO (strikes) - ICON Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007
- vs. Eduardo Pamplona - Win via TKO - IFL: Atlanta - February 23, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Kala Kolohe Hose - ICON Sport: Fearless - December 15, 2007
Comments: It was announced recently that Robbie Lawler will be defending his ICON Sport Middleweight Title against Kala Kolohe Hose on December 15th. Yes, Lawler still holds two titles! And yes, he's still coaching on The Ultimate Fighter!
8) Denis Kang (27-9-1)
Last ranking: 6
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - Loss via KO (punch) - K1 Olympia HERO's 2007 in Korea - October 28, 2007
- vs. Junggyu Choi - Win via decision (unanimous) - Spirit: Martial Challenge - March 11, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Loss via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Wow. Talk about an upset. Denis Kang went into the fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama a big time favorite, and needless to say......got knocked out. This wasn't the best thing that could happen for Kang's career, but if they need a stunt man for the next Vin Diesel movie....Kang's balling.
TIE - 9) Nathan Marquardt (25-7-2)
Last ranking: 8
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - September 7, 2007
- vs. Dean Lister - Win via decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007
- vs. Crafton Wallace - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3 - October 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new to report.
TIE - 9) Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Denis Kang - Win via KO (punch) - K1 Olympia HERO's 2007 in Korea - October 28, 2007
- vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - No contest - K1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2006
- vs. Melvin Manhoef - Win via submission (armbar) - K1 Hero's 7 - October 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Talk about making a name for yourself overnight! Akiyama knocked out Denis Kang and made an impact with just one punch! With having only lost one fight (his 2nd pro fight back in 2005), Akiyama is on a hot streak and his name is now on everybody's radar.
10) Kazuo Misaki (18-8-2)
Last ranking: Unranked
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Frank Trigg - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Denis Kang - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
- vs. Paulo Filho - Loss via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new to report.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighters who aren't ranked but still remain a threat in their weight division)
Cung Lee (4-0)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Tony Fryklund - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni - June 22, 2007
- vs. Jason Von Flue - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Triple Threat - December 8, 2006
- vs. Brian Warren - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Revenge - June 6, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Sam Morgan - Strike Force at the HP Pavilion - November 16, 2007
Frank Trigg (15-6)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Robbie Lawler - Loss via KO (strikes) - Icon Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Jason Miller - Win via TKO (strikes and kicks) - Icon Sport - December 2, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Featured fights:
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Melvin Manhoef - October 9, 2006
Paulo Filho vs. Amar Sulaev - April 3, 2005
.......and Matt Lindland watches 2 Girls & 1 Cup (I have no idea what that is, but the video is funny)
