411's MMA Rankings 3.20.08: Lightweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 03.20.2008
It's time again for 411 to rank the best Lightweight fighter's in MMA! Can BJ Penn take the top spot from JZ Calvancante? Can Takanori Gomi reclaim the top spot after securing his first win in over a year? 411's Dustin James gives you all the details inside........
Welcome to the one and only column on 411 that ranks guy's who love to beat each other up! That's right, it's time for 411's MMA Rankings! This go round we are ranking the fighters who could probably fit in Fedor's pocket, that's right....them lovely Lightweights! So, where does everybody fall after the new DREAM promotion held the first round of it's Lightweight Grand Prix at the DREAM debut show just this past weekend? Does JZ Calvancante hold onto the top spot after going to a "no contest" with Shinya Aoki? Will BJ Penn take the top spot due to the "no contest"? What about Takanori Gomi? Does he get the top spot back after FINALLY fighting and scoring a win? Soooooo many questions, we should just skip to the good stuff.......right?
WRONG.
::Warning:: Pop Culture Alert ::Warning::
First I must tell you this, go watch No Country For Old Men, it's not very often that a movie can keep me silent for 2 and 1/2 hours. Hell, the only thing able to keep me silent currently on TV is Lost. But, No Country For Old Men was just amazing. Javier Bardem plays a character that I can't do justice with words alone.......seriously, amazing flick.
Speaking of LOST....is it just me or does this season seem extremely AWWSUM!
I sure miss that girl on American Idol who could do a great Britney Spears impersonation. So if you are out there, call me! K THANX!
OK, now on with our regular scheduled programming...........(sorry about the rant, it's just every now and then I need to inject you guys with a little Vitamin D)
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. 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 remember "if u rite lik thiss" then 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 a mentally retarded dwarf.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) Gesias Calvancante (14-1-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - No Contest - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- 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
- vs. Caol Uno - Win via decision (majority) - K-1 HERO'S 7 - October 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Round 2 of DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix (for now)
Comments: JZ was doing excellent in his fight against Shinya Aoki until the fight was declared a "No contest" due to JZ dropping elbows onto the back of Aoki's neck causing the ref to call the fight. There is no doubt in my mind that we should see a re-match between these two down the road. For now, the two remain in the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix as no official decision has been made yet, but rumor is that JZ could be DQ'd and Aoki might move on. Either way, I would love to see a re-match between them, hell.....who wouldn't?
2) B.J. Penn (12-4-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Joe Stevenson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- 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
- vs. Renzo Gracie - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 World Grand Prix: Hawaii - July 29, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Sean Sherk - UFC 84: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: BJ Penn once again made news recently when asked the question......would he fight Joe Lauzon if it came down to it? Penn said that he would MAKE Lauzon fight him, if Penn becomes champ and Lauzon is named #1 contender! Interesting, seeing as Penn was Lauzon's coach on The Ultimate Fighter as well as continues to coach him to this day in Hawaii. That is a fight that I would love to see!
3) Takanori Gomi (28-3)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Duane Ludwig - Win via TKO (cut) - World Victory Road - Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- 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
- vs. David Baron - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Man, was it good to see Takanori Gomi back in action or what? It felt like it had been over a year since we have seen Gomi compete! Oh wait, it was? Either way, Gomi showed the World that he hasn't lost a step by finishing off Ludwig in the first round. Gomi is a dangerous fighter that should have thrown his name into the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix mix. That would have been something special! What's next for Gomi? You got me, but hopefully it won't be another year until we see him fight again.
4) Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Bu Kyung Jung - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 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
- vs. Cristiano Marcello - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Round 2 of DREAM's Lightweight Grand Prix
Comments: Ladies and gentlemen, the Lyoto Machida of the Lightweight division! What do I mean by that? Well, let's just say that Ishida LOVES to go to a decision. Don't believe me? 12 of his 16 wins are by decision. But, I'm a huge believer in who cares how you win.......as long as you WIN. Ishida's name is one that continues to grow as day's go by. He could be near the top of this list once the year is over.
5) Gilbert Melendez (13-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007
- 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
- vs. Clay Guida - Win via decision (split) - Strikeforce: Revenge - June 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Gabe Lemley - EliteXC/Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs. Le" - March 29, 2008
Comments: It was announced recently that El Nino would not be facing Cristiano Marcello at the upcoming "Shamrock vs. Le" card, but instead would be facing Gabe Lemley. Melendez suffered his first lost in his pro MMA career at the hands of Mitsuhiro Ishida at the Yarennoka show last year, but I'd look for El Nino to get back on the winning side of things and continue to make a name for himself in MMA.
6) Sean Sherk (31-2-1)
Last 5 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
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 56: Full Force - November 19, 2005
- vs. Joel Blanton - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - BP: Pride and Glory - September 17, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. BJ Penn - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
Comments: Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk is just sitting idly by and waiting for his suspension to end so he can tear off the head of BJ Penn. I think ALOT of people are underestimating Sherk here. Sherk only has 2 losses in his MMA career. Against? Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Two of the best fighters in the World, and two guys who aren't even in the Lightweight division!
7) Tatsuya Kawajiri (21-4-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kultar Gill - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Luiz Azeredo - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007
- 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. 2nd Round of DREAM'S Lightweight Grand Prix
Comments: Kawajiri recently made it to the 2nd round of DREAM's Lightweight Grand Prix tournament. If it wasn't for a loss against Gilbert Melendez in 2006, it would have been 3 years since he had last lost a fight. I guess he has one thing going for him? Melendez isn't in the tournament!
8) Vitor Ribeiro (19-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gesias Calvancante - 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
- vs. Daisuke Nakamura - Win via technical submission - CR 19: Fearless - December 9, 2006
- vs. Abdul Mohamed - Win via submission (kimura) - CR 18: Battleground - September 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: I wonder if Shaolin ever plans on fighting again? Good question. Perhaps somebody should check his home and make sure he's OK?
9) Frank Edgar (8-0)
Last 5 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
- vs. Jim Miller - Win via decision (unanimous) - RF 14: Reality Fighting 14 - November 18, 2006
- vs. Deividas Taurosevicius - Win via decision (unanimous) - RF 13: Battle At The Beach - August 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Gray Maynard - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
Comments: Edgar will be stepping into the Octagon and putting up his undefeated streak against former Ultimate Fighter contestant, Gray Maynard at the STACKED UFC Fight Night 13 next month. I could see Edgar struggling with Maynard's "ground and pound" skills, but I can still see Edgar squeaking out the decision victory? Why? Because he LOVES decisions!
10) Kenny Florian (8-3)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Din Thomas - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007
- vs. Alvin Robinson - Win via submission (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Fight Night 9 - April 5, 2007
- vs. Sean Sherk - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
- vs. Sam Stout - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter Finale 3 - June 24, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Joe Lauzon - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
Comments: Welcome to the Top 10 Ken Flo! Now just go out and beat Joe Lauzon at the Fight Night in April, and you very well could find yourself the #1 contender to the Lightweight Title.
On The Bubble:
(On the bubble includes fighter's who may not be in the Top 10, but remain a threat in their weight division)
Roger Huerta (20-1-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Clay Guida - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: The Ultimate Fighter Finale 6 - December 8, 2007
- vs. Alberto Crane - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Doug Evans - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC: The Ultimate Fighter Finale 5 - July 23, 2007
- vs. Leonard Garcia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. John Halverson - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Tyson Griffin (11-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gleison Tibau - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- 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
- vs. David Lee - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
Joachim Hansen (17-6-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kotetsu Boku - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (rear naked choke) K1: Premium 2007 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2007
- vs. Eiji Mitsuoka - Loss via decision (majority) - Shooto: Back To Our Roots 6 - November 8, 2007
- vs. Jason Ireland - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via submission (gogoplata) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Round 2 of DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix
Joe Stevenson (28-8)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. BJ Penn - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- 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
- vs. Yves Edwards - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
KJ Noons (6-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nick Diaz - Win via TKO (cuts) - EliteXC: Renegade - November 10, 2007
- vs. James Edson Berto - Win via KO (knee) - EliteXC: ShoXC - July 27, 2007
- vs. Charles Bennett - Loss via KO (punch) - EliteXC: Destiny - February 10, 2007
- vs. Harris Sarmiento - Win via TKO - Icon Sport: Opposites Attract - October 28, 2005
- vs. Bryson Kamaka - Win via KO (kick) - Superbrawl: Icon - July 23, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Yves Edwards - EliteXC April Event - April 26, 2008
Eddie Alvarez (13-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Andre Amade - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Ross Ebanez - Win via TKO (punches) - ShoXC - Elite Challenger Series - January 25, 2008
- vs. Matt Lee - Win via decision (unanimous) - BodogFight: Alvarez vs. Lee - July 14, 2007
- vs. Nick Thompson - Loss via TKO (strikes) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Scott Henze - Win via TKO (towel, punches) - BodogFight: Costa Rica - February 17, 2007
obviously there is an online bias against sherk...i have all the respect in the world for bj penn and i do believe that p4p he is the most gifted fighter in all of combat sports, but let's for a second imagine if sherk wins the fight...how does the online community rank him? i feel that it would be fraudulant(sp?) if the winner of that fight wasn't considered the best lightweight in the world
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I think it's absolutely ridiculous that BJ Penn is #2. He hasn't beaten a top 10 Lightweight and no Stevenson wasn't one and Pulver definately wasn't one. Does BJ Penn have all the skills and brilliance to be #1 - yes he does. But just because he has the obvious skills his record at lightweight (i am talking about the last 3 years) does not warrant a top 5 ranking. After the Sherk fight if he wins then i am more than happy to rank him in the top 5 and if he wins again against another top oppenent then i'd be happy to rank him 1-3.
Also Sherk at #6. Grrr he has wins over Florian (who in time i think will be a legit top 5 lightweight) and franca who wasn't top 10 at the time. He has great skills but his record at lightweight does not warrant a spot in the top 10 (i do think #10 is accceptable though).
Once again i am not riding these guys abiilites too be awesome fighters and they very well may occupy the top spots soon enough -- but their record AT LIGHTWEIGHT (in the last 3 years, anything before shouldn't be counted) doesn't give them any precedent to be ranked so highly.
Posted By: Craig (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 11:43 AM
sherk uses steroids, and sucks balls, gsp humbled him, so technically he is not the most gifted p4p athelete in all of combat sports. all he does is lay on people for three to five rounds. bj penn has lost to hughes and huerta before, both by controversial decisions... and gsp is my favorite fighter and i still think that fight wass a bit controversial. why is huerta not in the top ten.... k-flo has a loss on his record... while huerta has been undefeated for a long ass time.
Posted By: hendo (Guest) on March 20, 2008 at 02:04 PM
hendo, if you're going to be obsessed with me than get it right...i said that bj has the talent and ability to be top p4p...hendo, you're annoying sometimes fanboy...you should rename yourself rodog 'cause you follow me around...and the online bias for sherk comes from the fact that he's a good enough wrestler to dominate which is a style you noobs can't appreciate, i heard this stuff well before he failed the juice test....and i'm not putting the selection down..but i'm clueless as to why jz is in the top spot...i mean people talk about penn's pedigree?????????? look at the names on both fighter's resumes...i mean i just want an explanation or an education if you will...i don't understand the jz thing..he's talented, but number 1?
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 08:21 AM
noob craig....is gomi top ten? go read penn's wiki dummy
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 21, 2008 at 08:24 AM
Romano you are the noob - Gomi wasn't ranked top 10 when he fought Penn. He was coming off a loss to Joachim Hansen in shooto. So no that is not a top 10 win in the context of when the fight took place. Gomi is top 10 now but he wasn't back when Penn fought him in ROTR.
Posted By: Craig (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 08:23 AM
craig, that's an odd way of looking at things...i guess that you and i could never hang boss, you just see things in a very odd way...gomi is top ten talent
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 22, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Romano, I agree Gomi is top 10 talent NOW. No question there is - but when Penn beat him IE. 3.5 years ago he was borderline top 10 or not top 10 at all. He was coming off a loss to Hansen. Also in my original post i stated top 10 wins in the last 3 years. I don't think i'm unreasonable in giving fighters a 3 years time frame in a particular division. All i was saying was Penn doesn't have a top 10 win during the last 3 years in the Lightweight division and therefor shouldn't be ranked number 2.
You've gotta look at where people were ranked when they fought. That is all i'm trying to say. People rip on Fedor and say he never fought top 10 talent besides Nog and Cro-crop, yet convienently forget Heath Herring was top 5 at the time they fought. Heath mightn't be top 5 now but he certainly was when he fought Fedor.
Posted By: Craig (Guest) on March 24, 2008 at 11:47 AM
