411's MMA Rankings 12.13.07: Middleweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 12.13.2007
Join us for the newest round of MMA rankings done 411 style! Are there any shake ups in the top 10? Has anybody been able to stop Anderson Silva's reign? Plus, huge exclusive news regarding UFC 79! All that and more, inside........
Welcome back to the granddaddy of MMA rankings, 411's Official MMA Rankings! This time around the mulberry bush we will be ranking the Middleweights. Has anything changed in the division? Hmmm, good question! Also, I have HUGE EXCLUSIVE NEWS regarding UFC 79! Trust me, you will want to pay attention for sure! But before we get to that I have something I'd like to discuss......
In a few weeks I will be ranking the Top 10 MMA Fighters Of The Year. Now, in these set of rankings I won't be judging by overall careers, I will be judging based upon fights that happened THIS year. Now here's the chance for you hardcore 411 MMA fans to get involved. Just send me an email with fighters who you personally think had the best year this year and state your opinion as to why. Maybe you have a personal favorite who has had a great year but isn't one of the top dogs (Anderson Silva, Roger Huerta, etc). Well then this is your chance to try and help get your guy noticed. Just send me an email and state your case!
Huge Exclusive News On UFC 79!
Now, for the little bit of exclusive news regarding UFC 79. Well, on Saturday night I was watching the Mayweather/Hatton fight (while DVRing Ultimate Fighter Finale) and all of a sudden my phone rang. I picked up the phone and realized it was my buddy. Well folks.......
Drumroll please.........
...............
.........
.....
I will be attending UFC 79 LIVE!!!!
Yes, that's right! He got free tickets and a hotel room that is paid for since he won $10,000 at the place last time he was in Vegas. So my ass will probably be sitting somewhere in the cheap seats for one of the best UFC cards ever, on paper at least....and I couldn't be more thrilled! Now I need to find my digital camera that I lost when I moved! Either way, I'll be sure to have some great stories when I get back regarding the show. If anybody else is going and would like to meet up with me in an attempt to wrestle Jenna Jameson away from Tito Ortiz, I'm totally up for it! Just let me know.
Now, on with the good stuff........
411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
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:
- vs. Dan Henderson - UFC 82
Comments: The UFC FINALLY made it official by announcing that Anderson Silva will fight (basically his only strong competition left) Dan Henderson at UFC 82. This is a GREAT fight for Silva. It could definitely be his toughest test in the UFC yet. Hendo is not a joke and I'm totally waiting in anticipation for this fight.
2) Paulo Filho (15-0)
Last ranking: 2
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:
- vs. Chael Sonnen - WEC 31 - December 12, 2007
Comments: Filho will be returning to MMA tonight when he steps into the ring against former UFC fighter, Chael Sonnen. Sonnen is coming off a victory recently at SportFight in Portland and is looking to continue his streak with a win over the highly rated Filho. By the time this article is posted Filho's fight should have aired, and if he did indeed lose......he might still be ranked #2.
3) Dan Henderson (22-6)
Last ranking: 3
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: This is what I said last time:
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!
Now that the UFC has finally booked this fight. Could I BE any more excited?
4) Matt Lindland (20-5)
Last ranking: 4
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: It was recently announced that Matt Lindland's MMA organization "SportFight" which runs show in the Pacific Northwest, will air it's next card on HDNet! This is huge for SportFight because as an Oregonian I've attended numerous SportFight's in the past and now it's time for people across the Nation to see it. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend this show due to a beach trip. Hey! It's not my fault chicks have birthdays!
5) Rich Franklin (22-2-1)
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: Rich Franklin's business manager recently announced that Franklin was offered an upcoming fight against Travis Lutter to possibly happen at UFC 82. UFC 82 is set to air March 1, from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Now you see why Franklin was offered a fight for this card? O-H-I-O? It would be funny if the main event for this card was Silva vs. Hendo though!
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: It was recently announced that Okami resigned with the UFC after many people thought he would be leaving. Now if Silva beats Hendo, Okami could very well be the next opponent for Silva......especially if he picks up another win or two.
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:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Lawler's fight for the next ICON Sport card was canceled due to Lawler tearing a tendon in his right arm......ICON Sport then canceled THE WHOLE CARD. That's how important Robbie Lawler is folks! Hope you get better soon Robbie.
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: I have nothing new on Denis Kang.......sorry.
9) Nathan Marquardt (25-7-2)
Last ranking: 9
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 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.
10) Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1)
Last ranking: 9
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: Akiyama falls to tenth due to me hating ties! Sorry Yoshihiro! I swear, it's nothing you did!
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighters who aren't ranked but still remain a threat in their weight division)
Cung Lee (5-0)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Sam Morgan - Win via TKO (liver kick) - Strikeforce - 4 Men Enter, One Man Survives - November 16, 2007
- vs. Tony Fryklund - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni - June 22, 2007
- vs. Jason Von Flue - Win via TKO (cut) - Strikeforce: Triple Threat - December 8, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
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
Kazuo Misaki (18-8-2)
Last ranking: 10
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
Featured fights:
Paulo Filho vs. Ryuta Sakurai - September 25, 2005
