411's MMA Rankings 12.26.07: Lightweight Division

Posted by Dustin James on 12.27.2007

Come inside as 411 ranks the best Lightweight fighters in MMA! Did Sean Sherk drop out of the rankings after being stripped of his title? Does JZ Calvancante slip out of the rankings due to his latest injury? Those questions, plus why Joe Stevenson doesn't want Floyd Mayweather in MMA....all inside!

Welcome one and all to the latest edition of 411's Official MMA Rankings. Since you clicked on this you are obviously wanting to know who the top Lightweight MMA fighter in the World is, correct? You surely would like to know if Sean Sherk dropped out of the rankings due to being stripped of the UFC Lightweight title? How about BJ Penn or Joe Stevenson? Do either of them move up since they are the new #1 contenders for the UFC Lightweight title? And will JZ Calvancante slip from the rankings due to his latest injury? So many questions that are all just going to have to wait! But first, a few other things..........

Where are the Top 20 MMA Fighters Of The Year rankings as promised?

Well, after some deliberation I decided to hold off on the Top 20 MMA Fighters of the Year until after UFC 79 and the Yarennoka show on New Year's Eve. Why? Because there are some contenders for fighter of the year fighting on those cards and it wouldn't be fair to not count the fights because they happened in 2007. So yes, I'm putting the rankings off till next week because all I need is to rank Sokoudjou #11 then have him knock out Lyoto Machida at UFC 79 in 30 seconds. So the top 20 fighters of the year will be here next week. Yay for year-end awards!!

UFC 79 Preview

UFC 79 looks like the potential card of the year for the UFC. Below is a preview for UFC 79 "Nemesis", but no predictions. Why? Because my predictions will be on the UFC 79 411 Round table which I'm sure will be up on the main site by Saturday morning. Hell, I'm POSITIVE it will.

Mark Bocek (4-1) (Wins: 1 TKO, 3 submissions)
vs.
Doug Evans (5-1) (Wins: 1 TKO, 2 submissions, 3 decisions)

Fact: Both fighters are 0-1 in the UFC. Bocek lost to Frank Edgar at UFC 73, while Evans lost to Roger Huerta at the Ultimate Fighter Finale 5.

Roan Carneiro (11-6) (Wins: 6 submissions, 5 decisions)
vs.
Tony DeSouza (10-3) (Wins: 1 TKO, 6 submissions, 3 decisions)

Fact: Tony DeSouza was a coach for BJ Penn's team on the Ultimate Fighter Season 5.

Dean Lister (9-5) (Wins: 8 submissions, 1 decision)
vs.
Jordan Radev (11-2) (Wins: 4 TKOs, 2 submissions, 5 decisions)

Fact: Dean Lister was a coach for Tito Ortiz's team on the Ultimate Fighter Season 3.

Nate Mohr (8-4) (Wins: 5 TKOs, 2 submissions, 1 decision)
vs.
Manvel Gamburyan (5-2) (Wins: 2 TKOs, 2 submissions, 1 decision)

Fact: Manny Gamburyan lost in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 to Nate Diaz because of a shoulder injury. This is Manny's first fight back.

Luis Cane (7-0) (Wins: 6 TKOs, 1 submission)
vs.
James Irvin (12-4) (Wins: 9 TKOs, 2 submissions, 1 decision)

Fact: This is Luis Cane's UFC debut after a stellar 7-0 start to his career.

Eddie Sanchez (7-1) (Wins: 5 TKOs, 2 submissions)
vs.
Soa Palelei (8-1) (Wins: 8-1) (Wins: 6 TKOs, 2 submissions)

Fact: This is Soa Palelei's UFC debut, but Eddie Sanchez's only loss in his career is to Mirko Cro Cop.

Rich Clementi (29-12-1) (Wins: 10 TKOs, 13 submissions, 6 decisions)
vs.
Melvin Guillard (20-6-2) (Wins: 13 TKOs, 3 submissions, 4 decisions)

Fact: These two REALLY hate each other. They got into a heated exchange at recent MMA event, and rumor is that fists were thrown. I personally can't wait for this fight.

Lyoto Machida (11-0) (Wins: 3 TKOs, 1 submission, 7 decisions)
vs.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-1) (Wins: 3 TKOs, 1 decision)

Fact: This is Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou's UFC debut after a very impressive 2007 thus far. He has knocked out two former top 10 Light Heavyweight's in less than 3 minutes of fighting. Can he do it again at UFC 79?

Chuck Liddell (20-5) (Wins: 13 TKOs, 1 submission, 6 decisions)
vs.
Wanderlei Silva (31-7-1) (Wins: 21 TKOs, 4 submissions, 6 decisions)

Fact: Both fighters are on a 2 fight losing streak. This is an MMA "dream fight", but the loser of the fight will have lost 3 fights in a row and will have a lot of work in front of them in order to remain a contender in the Light Heavyweight division.

UFC Interim Welterweight Title
Matt Hughes (41-5) (Wins: 14 TKOs, 18 submissions, 9 decisions)
vs.
Georges St. Pierre (14-2) (Wins: 6 TKOs, 4 submissions, 4 decisions)

Fact: This is the 3rd and probably final fight between these two. The first fight was in 2004 and was won in the first round by a Matt Hughes arm bar. The 2nd fight happened in 2006 and was won in the second round by a St. Pierre TKO. What will happen in the 3rd fight between these two? Buy it and find out ass clown!

*Thanks to Sherdog for all the good info above!

Now, on with the good stuff..........

411's Official MMA Rankings

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

Comments: Takanori, let me speak to you. You need to make a career advancement. Either sign with EliteXC, UFC, WWE, FBI, I don't care. I know you said you don't want to fight in the US, but without much other major options....it might be time to get a plane ticket. It will be hard to justify putting you at #1 again with all these up and comers actually fighting, and winning. So please, let's see the awesomeness of Takanori Gomi again real soon!

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2) Hayato Sakurai (30-7-2)

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:

- vs. Hidehiko Hasegawa - New Year's Eve Yarennoka! - December 31, 2007

Comments: It's looking like Sakurai will be fighting Hidehiko Hasegawa at the upcoming Yarennoka show! See, somebody who is fighting for a change! The Yarennoka show will be one of the year's best and if you don't purchase it.....then what kind of MMA fan are you?

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3) 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:

- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - New Year's Eve Yarnnoka! - December 31, 2007

Comments: El Nino will be returning to the fighting world at the Yarennoka show as well. His opponent? Mitsuhiro Ishida, who was last ranked #8. I like this fight for Melendez, and if he pulls off the victory.....you can bet he will be THAT much closer to being ranked #1.

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4) Tatsuya Kawajiri (19-4-2)

Last ranking: 4

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:

- vs. Luiz Azeredo - New Year's Eve Yarennoka! - December 31, 2007

Comments: See, told you that Yarennoka show is going to be a bad mother. Now you have an appearance by Kawajiri as well to top it off! It just doesn't get any better than that. However, I wouldn't expect Kawajiri to have a tough time with Luis Azeredo.

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5) B.J. Penn (11-4-1)

Last ranking: 5

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:

- vs. Joe Stevenson - UFC 80 - January 2008

Comments: The feud between BJ Penn and Sean Sherk has heated up lately in the gossip columns. I personally hate gossip but it goes something like this.......

BJ Penn said he didn't want to fight Sean Sherk when Sherk gets back because since Sherk took steroids he is a "cheater".....

Now Sherk is coming out and saying that BJ Penn is a "pothead".

Now now boys. Play nice........and fight sometime in mid-2008.

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6) 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

Comments: Nothing new on Shaolin again.........sorry. It's not my fault people!

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7) Sean Sherk (31-2-1)

Last ranking: 7

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

Comments: Sherk was recently stripped of his UFC Lightweight title and the title will now be on the line when BJ Penn faces Joe Stevenson at UFC 80. Sherk was so unhappy that he has resorted to calling BJ Penn a "big fat poo poo face" because Penn said his dad could beat up Sherk's.

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8) Mitsuhiro Ishida (14-3-1)

Last ranking: 8

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:

- vs. Gilbert Melendez - New Year's Eve Yarennoka! - December 31, 2007

Comments: Like I mentioned earlier, Ishida will be facing Melendez at the Yarennoka show officially blowing the wads of MMA junkies all over the world. Say it with me now.....g r o s s.

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9) Joe Stevenson (28-7)

Last ranking: 9

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:

- vs. BJ Penn - UFC 80 - January 2008

Comments: In an interesting turn of events, Joe Stevenson reportedly had this to say about Floyd Mayweather fighting in MMA:

"He represents himself in a different manner and it's not the way I think is correct for our athletes, You don't brag about how much money you make. That's totally disrespectful. I've seen him in clubs and I've seen the way he treats people and I can tell you, that's not the kind of a guy we want representing this sport."

It's moronic for him to think he can cross over and do this at 31, It's like me saying I could be the best in golf. It looks easy, but I'd sound retarded to say I could go out there after a couple of months and win. The pressure, the coordination, the ability to play the greens, there are so many things involved."

That sounds like a challenge! FIGHT!!!!!!

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10) Gesias Calvancante (14-1-1)

Last ranking: 10

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

Comments: JZ Calvancante was suppose to be fighting on the Yarennoka show as well, but had to pull out due to an injury. The good news for JZ is that the injury is nothing serious and he should be kicking ass again in no time. Will JZ make an appearance on next week's Top 20 Fighters of the Year rankings? That's between me and........well, me.

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On The Bubble:


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

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Frank Edgar (8-0)

Last ranking: Unranked

Last 3 fights:

- vs. Spencer Fisher - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007

- vs. Mark Bocek - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007

- vs. Tyson Griffin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007

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*Sorry for no "Featured Fight" this week. My time was cut short due to something called Christmas. I know, it sucks. But I will be back in full strength next week with the Top 20 MMA Fighters of the Year!!! Stay tuned..........