411's MMA Rankings 5.01.08: Lightweight Rankings

Posted by Dustin James on 05.01.2008

It's time once again for the wonderful staff at 411mania to rank the best lightweights in MMA! I can guarantee that we have a new #1. But who is it? Did BJ Penn take the top spot? What about Sean Sherk? Maybe Shinya Aoki? Or did we get a little crazy and put Anderson Silva on top of all the lists? Plus, find out why I already hate Grand Theft Auto 4! All this and more inside......

Welcome boys, girls, mutants, and puppies to the latest installment of 411's MMA rankings! This here go round we will be ranking the fighter's who just may be able to fit inside Hong Man Choi's pocket.....that's right, them pesky lightweights! I guarantee that we have a new #1 for everybody to see! Who is it? Is it BJ Penn? Shinya Aoki? Sean Sherk? Takanori Gomi? Hell, maybe we just went totally crazy and put Anderson Silva atop ALL the lists? The only way you will know who is #1 is to read on, but first.......

PLUG ALERT

Are you a wrestling fan? Do you enjoy reading wrestling related articles? Well I have some AWESOME news for you. I was cruising through some of my old links in my favorite places and I came across a gold mine! An old Live Journal of mine where I posted numerous EXCLUSIVE wrestling reviews and thoughts for about 10 people to see. I'm not kidding, some of these are gems people.......GEMS!

So if you would like to read them. Then just cruise over to my blog right here on 411mania! I will try to update it once a week with some good stuff, but I can't make promises. The only promise I can make is that you will get an enjoyable read.

Also, if any of you remember former 411 writer Scotsman.....yes, THAT Scotsman! Well, he's back and would love for you to check out his stuff over at No Pants Provided.

Now.......

I need to rant a little bit before we get to the rankings. I have been dying to play Grand Theft Auto 4 basically since Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came out. I have owned my Xbox 360 for 3 years now without EVER having a problem. So what happens exactly 3 days before GTA 4 comes out?

I get the RED LIGHT OF DOOM

That's right, it happened! After hearing soooooo much about this dreaded red light of doom, it finally crept into my house and infected my Xbox. WHY? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE RIGHT BEFORE GTA 4 COMES OUT? And to throw salt into my wounds....IGN gives GTA 4 a perfect 10 and calls it the greatest game to come out since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Fan-fucking-tastic. So I have waited 4 years to play GTA 4. Why not wait an extra 3 weeks? If anybody has an Xbox360 or free copy of GTA 4 for me. You will be my best friend for life. Seriously, send them over and I will shrine your name forever in the halls of 411.

This topic is depressing me......so let's go to the rankings........

DISCLAIMER!!!!

Before we get to the rankings I should point out that we voted on these set of rankings before Tuesday's DREAM show so we have not counted any wins or losses against any of the lightweight's who competed on that show. I'm well aware that Shinya Aoki now holds a decision victory over JZ Calvancante, but it's seemingly impossible to get all the 411mania writers to vote again on such short notice. We do have day jobs you know! So, as of now JZ and Shinya's rankings will stay the same....but they will no doubt change in the next set of rankings. Thank you for the understanding!

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

Lightweight Division (155 lbs)



1) 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: It's almost put up or shut up time for BJ Penn and Sean Sherk. The UFC's lightweight division is currently stacked and I'm very intrigued by what's going to happen after this fight. There are a lot of potentially great match-ups in the UFC for Penn. Like say...Roger Huerta, Kenny Florian, Tyson Griffin, and hell maybe even Matt Serra? Good times ahead.

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2) 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: Not much new on the Takanori Gomi front. I'm just sitting by waiting to see if he will fight at the upcoming "Sengoku II" card. Let's not wait another year between fights, alright?

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3) 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. Currently unknown

Comments: There is no doubt in my mind that we will see the former #1 on this list drop thanks to a decision loss to Shinya Aoki. As I mentioned earlier, we voted on these rankings before Tuesday's DREAM show. Hey, it's not my fault they do everything ass backwards in Japan. By the time we release our next set of rankings, don't be surprised to see JZ fall a bit due in part to his decision loss to Aoki.

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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: Ishida will be facing Caol Uno in the 2nd round of DREAM's lightweight grand prix on May 11th. I'd look for Ishida to win that fight and move on. One thing is clear, this tournament is awesome, especially now that JZ has been eliminated. So, who's the favorite now? Ishida or Aoki?

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5) 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: Like I mentioned earlier, put up or shut up time is almost here. Right now, I'm currently torn as to who to pick to win this fight. It really could go either way, and I'm leading towards a decision fight. But who will win the decision? Good thing we have more time to think about it.

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6) Gilbert Melendez (14-1)

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Gabe Lemley - Win via TKO (punches) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le - March 29, 2008

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Josh Thomson - Strikeforce: "Melendez vs. Thomson" - June 27, 2008

Comments: Strikeforce announced recently that El Nino would be facing Josh Thomson in the main event of their upcoming June 27th show. This is a great match-up for Melendez. Thomson is currently 14-2 as a pro and is on a 6 fight win streak. I'm interested to see what other match-ups Strikeforce books for this show.

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7) Kenny Florian (9-3)

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Joe Lauzon - Win via TKO (punches and elbows) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008

- 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

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Roger Huerta - UFC 87 - August 2008

Comments: Florian looked impressive in his fight at Fight Night 13 against Joe Lauzon. Does he get any time off to relax? Just a little. Why? Because Huerta and Florian's camps are both reporting that the two will meet at UFC 87 in August. Folks, this is a HUGE match-up. Some of us have been clamoring to see this fight for months now, and it will finally happen during the hottest time of the year! There is no doubt in my mind that whoever wins that fight becomes a Top 5 lightweight in the world as well as the #1 contender for the UFC lightweight title. Oh yeah, Ken-Flo also did a pretty kick ass job filling in for Joe Rogan at UFC 83.

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8) 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: It was announced recently that Kawajiri will be facing Luis Buscape Firminho in the 2nd round of DREAM's lightweight grand prix. Firminho is 12-3 as a pro and lost to Kawajiri back at PRIDE: Bushido 8. Firminho is not known for being a very active fighter and it would surprise me to see him defeat Kawajiri.

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9) Vitor Ribeiro (19-2)

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Gesias Calvancanti - 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: Nothing new on Shaolin......

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10) Shinya Aoki (14-2)

Last 5 fights:

- vs. Gesias Calvancante - No Contest - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008

- vs. Bu Kyung Jung - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007

- vs. Brian Lo-A-Njoe - Win via submission (armbar) - PRIDE 34: Kamikaze - April 8, 2007

- vs. Akira Kikuchi - Win via decision (split) - Shooto: Back to our Roots 1 - February 17, 2007

- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via submission (gogoplata) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006

Next scheduled appearance:

-Currently unknown

Comments: Aoki shocked a few people at DREAM 2 when he earned a decision victory over former #1 JZ Calvancante. As I have mentioned before, we voted on these rankings before DREAM 2 and there is no doubt in my mind that when we vote next time.....Aoki will move up. It's almost a given.

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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:

- vs. Kenny Florian - UFC 87 - August 2008

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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:

- vs. Marcus Aurelio - UFC 86: "Rampage vs. Forrest" - July 5, 2008

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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

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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

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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's June Event - June 14, 2008

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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

Next scheduled appearance:

- vs. Round 2 of DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix