411's MMA Rankings 2.28.08: Light Heavyweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 02.28.2008
Who tops the Light Heavyweight rankings?
Welcome back to the only column on 411 that is lucky enough to rank MMA fighters! This week we are ranking the best Light Heavyweights in the UFC, err I mean MMA. You want proof that the UFC's Light Heavyweight division is stacked? Look at our top 10. Either way, I could sit here and talk all day or even preview this weekend's UFC 82, but I did a decent enough job in the UFC 82 Roundtable that will be posted by this weekend on the main page.
But since you came here for the goods and I always bring the goods........
411's MMA Ranking Rules
- If a fighter hasn't fought in a year, he can not be ranked. It's not fair to people who are fighting to not be ranked because a fighter is taking a year off. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being ranked.
- If you wish to complain about a fighter's ranking in the comments section, then please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking, and include your own set of rankings if you would!
- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the staff of 411mania. Therefore, if you don't like where a fighter is ranked you have to hate the 411 MMA staff as a whole. But we can take it, we are men. But remember that some of us are sensitive and don't like being called names like "Rockets fans".
411's Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Quinton Jackson (29-6)
Last 5 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
- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via decision (split) - WFA - King of the Streets - July 22, 2006
- vs. Dong Sik Yoon - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 31: Dreamers - February 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Sometime in 2008
Comments: Rampage takes the #1 spot with ease once more. I'm personally counting the days until we get to see this man as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter alongside Forrest Griffin. It has the potential to be the best season of The Ultimate Fighter yet. Did I mention that the fighter's have to fight just to win a spot in the house? Amazing! Should be awesome.
2) Chuck Liddell (21-5)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- 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 (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
- vs. Renato Sobral - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mauricio Rua - UFC 85 - June 2008
Comments: Pack your bags Chuck, you have a LONG flight ahead of you in June. It was announced recently that Liddell will be stepping into the Octagon against Shogun at UFC 85. This is a dream fight of sorts for a lot of people. I personally feel as it could be a bad match up for Shogun, and we might end up seeing Shogun suffer yet another loss in the UFC. Liddell looks like he could be back to his ass kicking ways and could be scary again.
3) Lyoto Machida (12-0)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- 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
- vs. Vernon White - Win via decision (unanimous) - WFA - King of the Streets - July 22, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - UFC 84 - May 2008
Comments: Is he fighting Tito Ortiz? Is he not fighting Tito Ortiz? Does Babalu like to spread false rumors? Looks like the answer to two of those questions is "yes". Apparently Machida will be fighting Tito Ortiz at UFC 84 in May in what could be Ortiz's last fight in the UFC before he bounces for better pay. Either way, Machida is a fighter on the rise, and should he get a victory over Ortiz, he will get a UFC Light Heavyweight title shot in no time.
4) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3)
Last 5 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
- vs. Kevin Randleman - Win via submission (kneebar) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
- vs. Cyrille Diabate - Win via TKO (stomps) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chuck Liddell - UFC 85 - June 2008
Comments: Shogun has a great chance in June to prove that his loss to Forrest Griffin was a fluke. Will he? Like I said before, I don't like this match up for Shogun. Shogun at one time was #1 in these rankings, and he needs to come out like that #1 fighter we all know he is capable of being, otherwise Liddell is going to throw punches in bunches.
5) Forrest Griffin (15-4)
Last 5 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
- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rampage Jackson - Sometime in 2008
Comments: Forrest is busy coaching on The Ultimate Fighter and then looking to train for his upcoming fight with our #1 Light Heavyweight, Rampage. I wouldn't expect much news from his camp for awhile.
6) Dan Henderson (22-6)
Last 5 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
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Bushido - 10 - April 2, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Anderson Silva - UFC 82 - March 1, 2008
Comments: Hendo drops in the rankings due to his drop in weight class for his upcoming fight with Anderson Silva. Either way, Hendo still remains one of the best pound for pound fighters in MMA when you throw weight classes out the window. Look for him to give Silva a tough time this weekend.
7) Keith Jardine (13-3-1)
Last 5 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
- vs. Wilson Gouveia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC - Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale - June 24, 2006
- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC - Ultimate Fight Night 4 - April 6, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - UFC 84 - May 2008
Comments: Wanderlei Silva's camp is reporting that Silva will be fighting Keith Jardine at UFC 84 in May. This is a great fight, especially for those of you who want to see punches thrown.
8) Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1-1)
Last 3 fights:
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- 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 1, 2006
- vs. Ricardo Arona - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2005 - December 31, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Keith Jardine - UFC 84 - May 2008
Comments: Like I mentioned above, Wanderlei will be fighting Jardine at UFC 84. I expect lots of fists to be thrown in this fight, however some news came out that Wanderlei is being coached by Randy Couture for this fight in order to work on his wrestling. Uh oh. Could we be seeing a new Wandy soon?
9) Rashad Evans (11-0-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- 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 (punches from mount) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
- vs. Stephan Bonnar - Win via decision (majority) - UFC - Ultimate Fight Night 5 - June 28, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thiago Silva - UFC 84 - May 2008
Comments: Rashad Evans will get a huge chance to prove himself when he steps into the Octagon against the undefeated Thiago Silva. This should be a great fight on what is shaping up to be a great card.
10) Thiago Silva (12-0)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Houston Alexander - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Tomasz Drwal - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. James Irvin - Win via TKO (knee injury) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via KO (soccer kick) - Pancrase - Rising 2 - February 28, 2007
- vs. Vitor Vianna Win via TKO (injury) - Fury FC 2 - 93 KG GP - November 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 84 - May 2008
Comments: Thiago Silva is still somewhat underrated in the world of MMA. I have a feeling that he will shine against Rashad and continue to move up these here rankings. Shouldn't be a problem with the last name "Silva".
On the bubble:
(On the bubble includes fighters who almost cracked the Top 10. These fighters remain serious threats in their current division)
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- 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 TKO (strikes) - WEC 24: Full Force - October 12, 2006
- vs. Paul Weremecki - Win via TKO - SF 17 - Hot Zone - August 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Tito Ortiz (15-5-1)
Last 5 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
- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win via decision (split) - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - UFC 84 - May 2008
Vladimir Matyushenko (20-3)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Alex Schoenauer - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - World Grand Prix Semifinals - November 3, 2007
- vs. Tim Boetsch - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - 2007 Semifinals - August 2, 2007
- vs. Aaron Stark - Win via TKO (punches) - IFL - Everett - June 1, 2007
- vs. Justin Levens - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL - Los Angeles - March 17, 2007
- vs. Dwayne Compton - Win via submission (arm bar) - IFL - Houston - February 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Ricardo Arona (13-5)
Last 5 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
- vs. Mauricio Rua - Loss via KO (strikes) - PRIDE - Final Conflict 2005 - August 28, 2005
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Final Conflict 2005 - August 28, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (13-3)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Todd Gouwenberg - Win via TKO - HCF - Destiny - February 1, 2008
- 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
- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE - Total Elimination 2005 - April 23, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Wilson Gouveia (10-4)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Carmelo Marrero - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Seth Petruzelli - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC: Fight Night 9 - April 5, 2007
- vs. Wes Combs - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006
- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC - Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale - June 24, 2006
Rampage didn't KO Lindland. Please fix it immediately.
Posted By: Colin Farrell (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I think this is actually one of the more accurate rankings I've seen in this column. Some positions I would swap around but the right fighters are in there.
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 09:15 AM
love the new format! one of the only websights i check hourly!
Posted By: adam (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I'm tired of these websites guaranteeing that Tito is leaving the UFC after this fight. Get it straight Dana and the boys have first right of refusal to any contract and can match whatever number and keep him regardless, if he wins he's either gonna re-up or never fight again probably...meh, i like tito but as a fighter he's been finished for about 3 years.
Posted By: Sofian (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 02:28 PM
i can't even comment, my head may explode! how about instead of me telling you that these rankings are horrid, you explain to me how liddel is number 2 after losing twice and then winning a decision against another guy that has lost twice...i mean, past performance counts..but how much? the only way for shogun to prove the forrest fight was a fluke would be for him to dominate a rematch..in the meantime, please explain his ranking....why bother ranking henderson here? he's moved down and is recognized as the 185 champ of pride...that's just a small point.....and please explain to me how anyone with three straight losses is even mentioned let alone ranked...really, maybe you all could explain these things, cause i don't get...oh and grow up, "if you don't like it make your own" wtf would that prove? you're on the internet posting these rankings, you have to answer the criticism that goes along with it...i wish there were minimum age requirements for internet pundits sometime
Posted By: romano (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I think one more win by Gouveia and he has to be in the top ten, with the loser of Silva/Evans falling off.
Posted By: Adam (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 04:05 PM
These rankings are yet again absurd. What is the criteria for Liddell being #2?!?!
HE IS 1-2 IN HIS LAST TWO FIGHTS!
One of the losses came to the guy you ranked seventh.
There needs to be a real criteria for rankings, and not just a popularity contest. If you don't meet the criteria, you can't be ranked higher than others who do.
Once more, I stress that this is a rankings. RANKINGS. Not best overall fighters. Change the title if you're going to vote like this.
Posted By: Saint (Guest) on February 28, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I am of the mind that one loss doesn't hurt you a whole lot if you have established yourself previously against good/great competition, while two losses move you down, and three pretty much kills you. In a sport so dependant on style matchups that's the only way I can see to do it. Since I didn't get mine done in time for this ranking I'll just list how I would have had mine:
