411's Official MMA Rankings 3.27.08: Pound For Pound
Posted by Dustin James on 03.27.2008
It's time once again for 411 to rank the best pound for pound fighters in MMA! Who takes the #1 spot? Is it Anderson Silva who once again had a great performance? What about Rampage? GSP? Or even Fedor? Plus, I discuss which pro wrestler's I would like to see jump to MMA!
Welcome back one and all to the best MMA rankings currently running here on 411! This time around we are ranking the best POUND for POUND fighters in MMA. So, who will it be? Is it possible that Anderson Silva is not #1? Who could possibly be ranked higher than him? Rampage? GSP? How about Fedor? We will get to those lovely answers in just a second.
I would like to take a minute to discuss all the pro wrestler's jumping over to our lovely sport. Now, I love pro wrestling...don't get me wrong. It's just that as a wrestling fan I grew up LOVING the WWE from about 1989-2001. That's along time to be a fan of something. While I still keep tabs on what's going on (sort of), I haven't watched a full episode of a wrestling show in about 5 years. However, I still love it when I hear wrestler's want to fight in MMA. Hell, I love it when ANY athlete wants to fight in MMA (Johnnie Morton!).
I was more interested in Brock Lesnar than I ever was before when he made his UFC debut, maybe the same will happen with this Bobby Lashley guy who has yet to impress me in the WWE. Maybe Lashley will make his MMA debut at some point this year and just dominate and look scary? Kid Kash just fought this past weekend and lost a decision victory. This sounds like it could be the new trend. Wrestler's jumping to MMA. This got me to thinking. What wrestler's would I have loved to see compete in MMA? I compiled this list of some of the all-time greats who I think would have had a great shot at an MMA career:
What could have been......
Doink The Clown
There's no rules in MMA that say you can't spray your opponent in the face with a trick flower on your shirt, or hit your opponent with a mallet. Doink could have been a great fighter for EliteXC.
Nailz
Nailz would have been a real threat in MMA. Why? Because if he didn't win, he would just quit, kick your ass, and then accuse you of rape. He would have been perfect in the UFC's Heavyweight Division.
PN News
This here is PN News. Yo baby yo baby yo! I personally feel that PN News could have been a rea........I'm sorry, I must stop. The guy's camel toe is freaking me out. I must move on.
And last but not least........
Harvey Wippleman
Maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling that ol' Harvey would cause a stir in the WEC's bantamweight division. You ever see this guy in a tuxedo match? He was 98 pounds of mean. Scary scary dude.
Now, enough with the nonsense......
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 6 year old girl.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Pound for Pound
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: Truth be told ladies and gentlemen, if you don't have Anderson Silva on top of your pound for pound rankings list, you should have your MMA privileges banned. What scares me most about Silva? The fact that there is a rumor going around that he possibly wants to box Roy Jones Jr. This is such a bad idea on so many levels. Stick with who you brought to the dance Silva, don't try to cut in on the prom king. Silva needs to think about a possible match-up with Yushin Okami, because right now...that could be the only fight that really makes sense, unless Matt Hughes is willing to jump up a weight class.
2) 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 - UFC 86 - July 5, 2008
Comments: Oh baby! Set your DVR's because the upcoming season of the Ultimate Fighter is almost here. I'm PUMPED for this season. I mean, with Rampage and Forrest as coaches and the drama that is always in the house....we are in for some good times. Not only that, but the fight between the coaches at the end of the season should be a GREAT one. Unless of course one of them gets injured while training. But that wouldn't happen. Would it?
3) Georges St. Pierre (15-2)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via verbal submission (arm bar) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Matt Serra - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
- vs. BJ Penn - Win via decision (split) - UFC 58: USA vs. Canada - March 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Matt Serra - UFC 83: "Serra vs. St. Pierre 2" - April 19, 2008
Comments: Just less than a month away until we see if it really was a fluke win or not. Believe me, I'm jazzed for this fight. I have a feeling that GSP will want to stand and try to show everybody that Serra's TKO victory was a fluke, but I'm hoping that GSP will go for some take downs and try to submit him much like he did the old country boy last December.
4) Fedor Emelianenko (27-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Hong Man Choi - Win via submission (arm bar) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via submission (arm bar) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Mark Hunt - Win via submission (kimura) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Mark Coleman - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
- vs. Wagner da Conceicao Martins - Win via submission (punches) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2005 -
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Huge news on the Fedor front. EliteXC has offered Fedor a four fight deal worth seven figures that would also include Fedor's brother fighting on the same fight cards as Fedor. Not only that, but the rumor is that EliteXC wants to feature Fedor on the first two CBS specials. Wow. That's an amazing deal and I will personally be surprised if Fedor passes on it.
5) 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: There's not much that I can say about BJ Penn that I didn't say last week in my Lightweight rankings. Do I think he will beat Sean Sherk? Maybe. I still have two months before I have to give you that answer anyhow.
6) Urijah Faber (20-1)
Last 5 Fights:
- vs. Jeff Curran - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 31 - Faber vs. Curran - December 12, 2007
- vs. Chance Farrar - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 28 - WrekCage - June 3, 2007
- vs. Dominic Cruz - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 26 - Las Vegas - March 24, 2007
- vs. Joe Pearson - Win via submission (strikes) - WEC 25 - Las Vegas - January 20, 2007
- vs. Bibiano Fernandes - Win via TKO (cut) - KOTC: All Stars - October 28, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: It's only been four months since Urijah last fought, but it feels like it's been a year. Rumor is that Urijah may be fighting Jens Pulver real soon and that's a fight that I would love to see. Urijah also recently got called out by former UFC fighter Leonard Garcia. Garcia, who is best known for his amazing fight with Roger Huerta at UFC 69 made it clear that he would love to fight Faber at an upcoming WEC event.
7) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria (31-4-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Heath Herring - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7th, 2007
- vs. Josh Barnett - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Josh Barnett - Loss via decision (split) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
- vs. Fabricio Werdum - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Critical Countdown Absolute - July 1, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Who is next for Big Nog in the UFC? Will it be Fabricio Werdum or Brandon Vera? Will the UFC possibly give Heath Herring ANOTHER chance at Big Nog? What about if the UFC is able to come to terms with Fedor, and Couture is still sitting out? Do they book Fedor vs. Big Nog? I wouldn't be mad....Fedor has beaten Big Nog twice.
8) 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: Welcome back to the glorious world of MMA, Takanori! Now, let's see how long it is before you fight again.......
9) Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (17-1-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rani Yahya - Win via TKO (punches and soccer kicks) - K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2007
- vs. Bibiano Fernandes - Win via decision (unanimous) - K-1 HERO's 11 - September 17, 2007
- vs. Istvan Majoros - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2006
- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via KO (flying knee) - K-1 HERO's 5 - May 3, 2006
- vs. Genki Sudo - Win via TKO (punches) - K-1 Premium 2005 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new on Kid Yamamoto......
10) 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: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: Lyoto Machida was a good fighter before he fought Sokoudjou. After he made Sokoudjou tap, Machida became a dangerous fighter. Watch out for this guy.
On The Bubble:
Randy Couture (16-8)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 - February 4, 2006
- vs. Mike Van Arsdale - Win via submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 54: Boiling Point - August 20, 2005
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via KO (punches) - UFC 52: Liddell vs. Couture 2 - April 16, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
-Wouldn't we all love to know?
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. Currently unknown
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
GSP has pretty much proved Hughes is a dinosaur in today's MMA climate.
No way does a Silva/Hughes match-up make sense.
Posted By: Sergio Hernandez (Registered) on March 27, 2008 at 03:07 AM
cant find much to argue with except - look at the records of the top 4 - 19w out
of 20. as much as b.j. looks invicible now - he is the only one in the top 10
with 2 losses in his last five - i would put him below faber, who hasn't lost
since john mccain was a teenager.
Posted By: navyfightfan (Guest) on March 27, 2008 at 11:46 AM
pro wrestling and mma have been married to one another since before the ufc had
its inaugaral(sp?) show. Pancrase featured pro wrestlers schooled in Frank
Gotch's catch - wrestling style including Ken Shamrock, Masakatsu Funaki, and
Minoru Suzuki. Catch wrestling is also a fundamental skill for josh barnett,
frank shamrock, sakuraba, dan severn and was a very strong influence in the
creation of Sambo. Even before Pancrase, pro wrestlers often challenged some
of the best fighters in the world, specifically masters of judo (look up Ad
Santel). Pro wrestlers who have found success in America jumping over to MMA
is a fairly new phenomenom, but from what i gather, japanese pro wrestling is
like five to ten years ahead of the trends in comparison to it's american
counterparts. organizations such as Pride and Rings have huge ties to pro
wrestling and pro wrestlers and to see just how large those ties are, one need
only to check out the wikipedia pages for each organization....sure, you were
trying to be facitious and i'm being a douche, but i figured i'd show off just
how much i know...'cause i'm a douche.
As far as the rankings, well it's hard to argue the list, but i wouldn't take
away someone's credibility card if they had GSP, Fedor or some other highly
qualified guy up top. I'd still like to see Silva fight a title holder in a
different weight class before crowning him god of mma...though he probably is
skilled enough to wear the crown, i don't think that it's cemented as strongly
as some people state....now, i look forward to Hendo or some other angry little
fella to call me a moron.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on March 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM
nah, i got nothing this week, i like the call out, made me laugh, i personally
want to see silva fight fedor, even more so than couture fighting fedor,
because i think fedor will beat couture. the rankings were good this week. and
wrestling does have ties to pro wrestling.... look at sakuruba or whatever the
hell his name is, pro wrestler and the gracie killer... unless im thinking of
something else.
Posted By: hendo (Guest) on March 27, 2008 at 02:09 PM
GSP # 1 due to the depth of the Welterweight division, Rampage could prove to be
#1 if he fought at Heavyweight where he should be. Keep Fedor off the list until
he fights somebody who matters, look at his last 5 fights, Hong-Moin who?,
Lindland the middleweight, over the hill Coleman, come on you have to do better
than that to be considered to be ranked in the top ten Pound for Pound
fighters....
Posted By: Kyle (Guest) on March 31, 2008 at 02:01 PM
