411's MMA Rankings 3.06.08: Middleweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 03.06.2008
It's time again for 411 to rank the best Middleweights in the Anderson Silva division! Who could possibly be the next guy to challenge the dominant Anderson Silva? We are here to help answer that question for you........
Welcome back to the reason that you get up in the morning! That's right, it's time for 411's MMA rankings and this time around we are ranking a division that I'm petitioning to call "The Anderson Silva Division". I can't give you any teaser's because you KNOW who is #1! Is anybody going to get excited if I say "Check out who got the #2 spot, was it Hendo or Filho?". Didn't think so......
Either way, check em out and feel free to leave rude comments in the comments section, they are the reason I keep this baby alive!........
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. The rule also applies to specific divisions. If a fighter hasn't fought in a weight division in a year he is no longer eligible to be ranked, which is the reason Matt Lindland is no longer ranked in the Middleweight division. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being ranked. Lindland did recently sign a contract with a new promotion so it might only be a matter of time before he is back up here.
- 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 remember "if u rite lik thiss" than your opinion doesn't matter.
- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the MMA staff of 411mania. So if you are an MMA fighter and hate where you are ranked, beating just me up would be unnecessary. You would have to beat us all up, and when we are all together.....we could probably take Jens Pulver.
411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Anderson Silva (21-4)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dan Henderson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- 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
- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Wow. Just wow. Ladies and gentlemen, you are seeing the most dominant fighter in the UFC's Middleweight history right now. People are contemplating about what is next for Anderson Silva. He will most likely either re-match with Yushin Okami or Nate Marquardt, but you just know that there are some Welterweights (Matt Hughes) and some Light Heavyweights that would love to change weight divisions and challenge Silva. Does it matter? Not right now because nobody is better than this guy at this moment.
2) Paulo Filho (16-0)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Win via verbal submission (arm bar) - WEC 31: Faber vs. Curran - December 12, 2007
- 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
- vs. Gregory Bouchelaghem - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 11 - June 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chael Sonnen - WEC 33 - March 26, 2008
Comments: I have said in the past that it's too bad that Filho and Anderson Silva are really good friends, because I would love to see these two fighters clash. Instead, we get to see Filho re-match with Chael Sonnen at the end of this month. Umm yay? After this fight Filho has said that he has plans of changing weight classes and moving up to Light Heavyweight. Is Filho moving up a weight class for a run in the UFC? Is that such a smart move considering how STACKED the UFC Light Heavyweight division is? We won't know until it happens.
3) Dan Henderson (22-7)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: So, what can Hendo do now that he has lost two straight in the UFC......but to the two top pound for pound fighters in the world? Start climbing his way back up the ladder, that's what. But what division will Hendo want to try and conquer? Will he stay at Middleweight or want to try and compete in that stacked Light Heavyweight division? So many questions, so much time......
4) Rich Franklin (22-3-1)
Last 5 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
-vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
-vs. David Loiseau - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 58: USA vs. Canada - March 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Travis Lutter - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2 - April 19, 2008
Comments: Rich Franklin will make another attempted comeback in the UFC Middleweight division when he faces Travis Lutter next month at UFC 83. I expect Franklin to beat Lutter, but then where does he go? I can't see the UFC giving him another shot at Anderson Silva as Silva has dominated him twice now. Perhaps Franklin should consider a change in weight classes or a change in promotions?
5) Nathan Marquardt (26-7-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- 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
- vs. Joe Doerksen - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 58: USA vs. Canada - March 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Marquardt's name is one that could come up as a potential re-match for Anderson Silva. However, I feel as though Marquardt has to gain at least one more victory before he consider a re-match with Silva a possibility. A Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami fight, or a Marquardt vs. Franklin fight would be very interesting.
6) Yushin Okami (21-4)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Evan Tanner - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- 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
- vs. Rory Singer - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: I really feel as though Okami will be the next guy to fight Anderson Silva. Besides a decision loss to Franklin, Okami hasn't lost since 2006 (a decision loss to Jake Shields) and Okami is also the last guy to have beaten Anderson Silva, after Silva was DQ'd for an illegal kick. It could an interesting fight that most hardcore MMA fanatics would want to see. Plus, what else is left for Silva to face?
7) Robbie Lawler (15-4)
Last 5 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
- vs. Joey Villasenor - Win via KO (flying knee) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
- vs. Jason Miller - Loss via submission (arm triangle) - ICON Sport: Mayhem vs. Lawler - September 2, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Lawler made some news recently when it was announced that he was being stripped of his ICON Sport Middleweight Title due to "failing to adequately defend" the title. Lawler won the title from Frank Trigg in March of last year but has yet to defend the title due to injuries. Lawler still holds the EliteXC Middleweight Title however.
8) Denis Kang (29-9-1)
Last 5 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
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
- vs. Amar Suloev - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - DREAMS Debut Show - March 15, 2008
Comments: It was announced recently that Denis Kang would be making his return to MMA, after his shocking upset loss last October to Yoshihiro Akiyama, at the new DREAMS promotion's debut show. An opponent has yet to be named, but whoever it is will definitely have their hands full of Kang who will be looking to reestablish himself as a top contender.
9) Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- 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
- vs. Kestutis Smirnovas - Win via TKO (strikes) - K1 Hero's 7 - October 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Akiyama got a bit of good news recently when his loss to Kazuo Misaki at the Yarennoka show on New Year's Eve was turned to a "No contest" due to Misaki using an illegal soccer kick to KO Akiyama. Rumor is there could be a re-match between Misaki and Akiyama in the mix and that is one fight that I would love to see.
10) Kazuo Misaki (19-8-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Siyar Bahadurzada - Win via submission (guillotine) - World Victory Road: Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- 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: Misaki makes his return to the Top 10 coming off a REALLY fresh victory over Siyar Bahadurzada at World Victory Road's debut show entitled "Sengoku". Misaki has literally faced some of the best competitors in the division. He is 1-1 against Dan Henderson, but 0-2 against Nate Marquardt. Either way, Misaki is always a guy to keep an eye on.
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 5 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
- vs. Brian Warren - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Revenge - June 9, 2006
- vs. Mike Altman - Win via KO - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie - March 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Frank Shamrock - Strikeforce - March 29, 2008
Frank Trigg (16-6)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Edwin Dewees - Win via submission (kimura) - HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon - December 15, 2007
- 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
- vs. Carlos Condit - Loss via submission (triangle arm bar) - ROTR 9: Rumble on the Rock 9 - April 21, 2006
I’m not so sure about putting Henderson so high on any of these lists anymore. I respect the guy and he has an awesome pedigree, but he’s not winning. Granted, he is fighting division champions, but he’s still racking up more losses and wins. Will I feel differently if he wins a few? Definitely.
Posted By: Kuch (Guest) on March 06, 2008 at 10:19 AM
"remember "if u rite lik thiss" than your opinion doesn't matter."
To nitpick (since you are commenting on grammar) the proper word should be "then". Than is used in comparisons i.e. Silva is better than Hendo.
I'm not so impressed with Filho after his last fight. He seems to be a guy with great BJJ and okay everything else. Maybe his rematch with Sonnen will change my mind.
Posted By: DrBdan (Guest) on March 06, 2008 at 01:44 PM
anyone ranked after two straight losses proves the rankings to be fraudulent...cung le still has to prove that he isn't just hype, and...whatever...pretend your ranking a sport and not your favorite rasslers and perhaps you won't have to give instructions on how to disagree....if these rankings are due to this being the pooled oppinion of all the writers, then you should start excluding the gossip columnists from the movie section when polling for rankings.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 06, 2008 at 07:31 PM
how is losing to number one in two divisions a reason to drop you from the top 10 in either.
I feel that as long as you don't get beat by someone lower - you deserve to hold your spot.
I commend henderson for fighting nothing but the best, and look forward to his no title fights against the other top ten guys who also can't beat Silva or Rampage.
Posted By: Jamie (Guest) on March 06, 2008 at 07:59 PM
OK, sure Paulo Filho is 16-0... and maybe belongs in the top 5.. maybe, but is he really # 2? No, I don't think so. Chael Sonnen was killing, yes killing him and got caught at the end of the fight. No doubt in my mind when they fight again unless Filho gets lucky again, he will get beat. For this reason, I don't feel he is number 2... he belongs a few notches down. There is little doubt in my mind that Franklin and Henderson would make short work of him. He is ranked too high
Posted By: Brian (Guest) on March 06, 2008 at 08:56 PM
you people must be crazy not to list Frank Shamrock s/f middleweight champ amognst the most dangerous active middleweights. He'd easily pick apart more than half this list.
Posted By: J.P. (Guest) on March 07, 2008 at 01:18 PM
i agree with the comment below henderson is talented but has lost back to back to the best 2 guys the ufc have if he was to win against some other guys then yeah i would change my mind also matt lindland has been in talk wit the ufc now i know he hasnt fought in the middleweight division in a long time but facts are facts and that guy kicked a whole lot of ass when he was there i know he's not ranked but hopefully soon he will as for paulo filho i dont know if he should be number 2 he hasnt fought anyone special chael sonnen was a good fight but it was a good fight for chael sonnen not paulo filho if he goes up in weight it would be a mistake for him maybe he should consider goin down to welterweight my honest opinion paulo filho should be at 4 maybe 5 only cuz he has the victories now okami vs marquardt is a good idea hell even marquardt vs franklin is a good idea but lets face it okami hands down is next in line okami is very talented i just have one wild card to throw in there and thats michael bisping who if you know will be making his middleweight debut in april i have a good feeling he's goin to make an impact in the middleweight division he might have loss his last fight to rashad evans but he will do alot better in the middleweight division so honestly silva's options for a big time opponent right now are very slim to none who knows there has been talk bout matt hughes goin up to middleweight it would be interesting to see that or maybe silva could start avenging his losses like liddell tried to do like convincing ryo chonan to fight him and if you remember chonan did defeat silva so my top 5 matches i would like to see anderson silva perform in would be as following 1. yushin okami 2. nathan marquardt(rematch) 3. matt lindland( if he can strike a deal with the ufc)4. michael bisping ( but only if he proves to be a great challenger in the division)and lastly 5 would be a tie if only anderson silva dominates the division so much that there is no opponents left and that would be matt hughes (if he goes up in weight),ryo chonan (if he goes up in weight),or patrick cote if he continues to knock people out other then that silva in my opinion is the best fighter pound for pound in the world today.
Posted By: junior bad blood rodriguez (Guest) on March 17, 2008 at 07:45 PM
