411's MMA Rankings 4.10.08: Light Heavyweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 04.10.2008
It's time once again for 411 to rank the best Light Heavyweights in MMA! Is it possible that Rampage Jackson slipped out of the top spot? Well, we know that's not going to happen. But who is #2? Can Chuck Liddell remain in second place? Is it possible Lyoto Machida took it? 411's Dustin James gives you all the details inside.....
Welcome one and all, short and tall, and even the dude with one ball. (You KNOW who you are!) It's time once again for 411 to rank the best Light Heavyweight's in MMA. After an excellent debut episode of The Ultimate Fighter season 7 isn't everybody else just jazzed for the Rampage/Forrest fight? Here's hoping no injuries go down, because we all know how bad that sucks. Before we get to the rankings I'd like to shout out a few PLUGS:
- 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 "North Carolina or UCLA" 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 - UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" - July 5, 2008
Comments: Well, we all saw the debut of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as a coach on the Ultimate Fighter season 7, well...I guess not so much a coach, but a commentator. Either way, Rampage was awesome AS ALWAYS. This guy just reeks of charisma and the UFC should be marketing him to the moon. I really loved the "fight to get into the house" format as I believe it helps get rid of people who aren't truly ready for it. Some of those guys looked awful and I'm glad to see them gone. Either way, this season of the "Ultimate Fighter" is shaping up to be one of the best ones yet.
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. Rashad Evans - UFC 85: "Liddell vs. Evans" - June 7, 2008
Comments: What a bummer it is to look up and see the headline for UFC 85 as "Liddell vs. Evans" instead of "Liddell vs. Shogun", but injuries are apart of fighting. I may be in the minority here, but I believe Liddell is going to walk right through Evans. Maybe Rashad can prove me wrong? Nah, I'm always right!
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: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: It's almost here! The long awaited Machida vs. Ortiz fight. Can Ortiz stop the streak of Machida? Machida was known as a defensive fighter who loved to win by decisions, but when he submitted the red-hot Sokoudjou he became one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC's Light Heavyweight division. Can he send Tito Ortiz out of the UFC with a loss? It's highly possible.
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. Currently injured
Comments: Like I mentioned earlier, it was a real bummer to hear that Shogun had to pull out of his fight with Chuck Liddell due to an injury. However, Shogun has mentioned that he will be back sooner than we think and he will remind people why he was at one time....#1 on this here list.
5) Keith Jardine (13-4-1)
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: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: Ah, the Rodney Dangerfield of the UFC's Light Heavyweight division. The fighter who gets no respect. This guy beat Forrest Griffin, who beat Shogun Rua! He also beat Chuck Liddell who has beaten some of the best Light Heavyweight's in the world! Oh wait, he lost to Houston Alexander by KO and lost a very controversial decision to Stephan Bonnar back in 2006. Is he truly one of the best Light Heavyweight's in the world? He can prove it to us by defeating Wanderlei Silva next month.
6) 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:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: So, what will Hendo do next now that he has lost both PRIDE titles? Will he continue to fight in the UFC's weak Middleweight division and try to re-match the seemingly unstoppable Anderson Silva? Or will Hendo try his trade in the stacked UFC Light Heavyweight division and try to re-match the seemingly unstoppable Rampage Jackson? Tough decision, good thing I'm not Hendo.
7) 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. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson - UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" - July 5, 2008
Comments: Forrest looked promising as a coach and talent evaluator on the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter. Does he have the MMA knowledge to lead a team past Rampage Jackson and then defeat Rampage Jackson himself in July? It could be a VERY good year for Forrest.
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: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: This is it Wanderlei. It's your time to make up for the 3 previous losses and prove to the world that it was indeed the strength of your competition, and not your skills declining. Do I think you have what it takes to beat Keith Jardine? Of course. Will you do it? One can hope. I'd love to see a re-match between Liddell and Silva and I pray that it takes place real soon.
9) 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: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: The Huntington Beach Bad Boy's last UFC fight may come next month. Is it possible that Tito will actually leave the UFC and pursue a fighting career elsewhere? Like say, EliteXC or Strikeforce? Both of those promotions just secured deals on NBC and CBS. You can bet that they would LOVE to market Ortiz on either one of those shows. Whatever Ortiz decides, I'm sure it will be for the $$$.
10) 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:
- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - UFC 84: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Comments: Sokoudjou shocked the world when he defeated previous Top 10 fighters Ricardo Arona and Lil Nog back in 2007 in about a total combined time of 3 minutes. However, his train was de-railed when he ran into the red hot Lyoto Machida. Soko has been training with Team Quest in an effort to improve even further and the dude is YOUNG. Trust me, he is still a force to be reckoned with.
On the bubble:
(On the bubble includes fighters who almost cracked the Top 10. These fighters remain serious threats in their current division)
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. Chuck Liddell - UFC 85: "Liddell vs. Evans" - June 7, 2008
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. Antonio Mendes - UFC 84: "Ill Will" - May 24, 2008
Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jamal Patterson - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: New Jersey - April 4, 2008
- 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
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
"The biggest tool on 411 profiles the already great career of Anderson Silva....."
I expected something like this might happen.
Posted By: Adam Tool (Registered) on April 10, 2008 at 02:45 AM
Having a) a network TV deal and b) Tito Ortiz under contract has great potential. The man may be shell of his former self but I doubt he's lost his ability to market himself (and, by association, his opposition). I expect EliteXC and Strikeforce throw a metric ton of money at him.
Posted By: woody (Guest) on April 10, 2008 at 05:51 AM
this may be the most nonsensical rankings list i've ever seen...sokoudjou (i don't care to spell his name correctly) is 4-2...GET HIM OFF THE LIST!!!!!! Anyone can get a quick knockout, let's see him prove himself as a damned fighter, maybe win a hard fought decision over a ranked guy...oh wait, finishing fights is what it's all about....well houston alexander can finish a fight, doesn't mean he's anything more than a sideshow act...he knocked out two impressive fighters in less than three minutes, wow...let's see him get to 10-2 before ranking him so high...a question...how many fights in row does one need to lose to get booted out of the rankings? 5-6? just asking...how in the hell is a win over a fighter showin serious signs of age like wanderlei going to make the world forget that liddell lost two in a row? i know he's alot of folks favorite, but cheese and crackers, number two? i can't even make a positive comment on anyone else on the list...this is just ridiculous, the whole list is screwed.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on April 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
How can you rank Wand and Tito and not Rashad or Thiago? And Chuck 2nd? I'm a HUGE iceman mark but he's in the 4 or 5 spot tops.
Posted By: Alex (Guest) on April 10, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I'll admit I have yet to see Soko fight, but how does six professional fights put you in the top ten in the world? Is it based on the competition these fighters face, or is this a popularity vote? I know the 411 staff votes on these, but maybe a list of criteria for the votes would serve us readers pretty well.
I will have to argue with you about Jardine, as if the text under him is the reason he is so high, then after the last Fight Night, James Irvin should be right up there. After all he did beat the guy that beat Forest, who beat Rampage, who beat Chuck Liddell, who beat Tito Ortiz, and Randy Couture... I could do this all day. I guess what I am saying is that maybe list the criteria that the 411 staff bases their votes on.
Just to clear up, I have no problem with Soko being on the list, but I would like to know how the votes came about to put him on there. Now I am rambling, so I am done.
Posted By: Toddo (Guest) on April 10, 2008 at 05:46 PM
For a great explanation as to why Sokoudjou is ranked, I'd recommend reading Justin Thomas' news report on Tuesday.
Right here.
Posted By: Dustin James (Registered) on April 10, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Oops, apparently HTML doesn't work in comments....
