411's MMA Rankings 5.15.08: Heavyweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 05.15.2008
It's time again for the MMA staff at 411 to rank the best heavyweight fighters in MMA. Now that the UFC has named Frank Mir the #1 contender to Big Nog, will Mir crack the top 10? If Mir's not top 10, then who is? 411's Dustin James knows.......
Welcome back to your favorite MMA rankings list that goes up every Thursday on 411mania! You clicked on this because you are interested in who the best heavyweight MMA fighters are in the world. Well, we here at 411 have put on our trusty caps and did some voting and this here column is the result! We all know that Fedor is going to be #1, that's no shocker with the weak ass division that is the heavyweight division. But who's #2? Is it Big Nog? If it is, who is Big Nog's biggest threat? Is it Fabricio Werdum? Brandon Vera? Frank Mir? Gabriel Gonzaga? Plus, with the mention that Frank Mir is basically the new #1 contender to the UFC heavyweight title and will coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter, will he crack the Top 10 at all? The question's are endless! The only way to know, is to read on........
BUT FIRST!
Frank Mir & Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira To Coach Ultimate Fighter Season Eight
This news has been making some huge waves recently, and it's because many people do not think Frank Mir should be lined up for a title shot. Not only that, but since the UFC has once again put a champion on the show as a coach, that means less title defenses which can cause a stall in the division. I guess in the heavyweight division that might not be a bad thing. Anyways, here is what I propose. I propose a 4 or 8 man tournament over a 2-3 month period (like DREAM is doing) and let the winner of the tournament fight for the title. The UFC isn't totally stacked with heavyweights, but an 8-man tourney featuring:
*Frank Mir
*Brandon Vera
*Fabricio Werdum
*Gabriel Gonzaga
*Cheick Kongo
*Heath Herring
*Andrei Arlovski (if they can re-sign him)
*Brock Lesnar (if he could somehow magically win this tournament, he DESERVES a shot at the title)
I'd buy that! It's a lot better than what the UFC is offering up now.
Now, for something a little change of pace....
Dustin's Top 10 Summer Movie's
My first job was at a movie theater, and I remember the summer movie months fondly. They were easily the best time of year to go to the movies. Summer blockbusters everywhere you looked! Since I know all of you LOVE debating lists, as well as LOVE summer movies. I thought I would present to you my Top 10 summer movie's that I personally want to see this year. Remember, this is MY list. So telling me that I'm stupid because I have no intent on seeing Indiana Jones or Iron Man is ridiculous. I have never read an Iron Man comic, and know nothing about the character. I know it's getting great reviews so I will wait for the DVD. But since this is MY list......these are MY picks, and I have a really unique taste in movies:
10 The X-Files: I Want To Believe
(I was never a massive X-Files fan, but I know the story and such. Therefore it's enough to get me interested about this movie)
9- The Incredible Hulk
(Edward Norton is always money)
8- Tropic Thunder
(Great cast, plus a much hyped cameo from a fat Tom Cruise)
7- Step Brothers
(Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as grown men who still live with their parents, who then get married, making them brothers! I'm totally there!)
6 - The Happening
(While M. Night Shamalongname's movies have suffered in the recent past, this one gets my interest up for some reason)
5 - Hamlet 2
(Just watch the trailer.......)
4 - Hancock
(I saw the trailer and was sold)
3 - The Love Guru
(First of all, I'm a HUGE Michael Myers fan. And when I saw this trailer and saw Justin Timberlake looking like John Holmes, I about spit my soda out)
2 - Pineapple Express
(Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen, marijuana and cop killing, nuff said)
1 - The Dark Knight
(It's Batman, plus Heath Ledger's final performance!)
- 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 beat up a mentally retarded 6 year old girl.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Heavyweight Division
1) Fedor Emelianenko (27-1)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 233
Currently fighting with: Affliction
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. Tim Sylvia - Affliction Debut Show - July 19, 2008
Comments: We are just about 2 months away from Fedor's return to fighting another Top 10 heavyweight. The big news regarding Fedor this week was that the Affliction promotion lost the American Airlines Center in Dallas due to a failed deal with HDNet. This now means that the Fedor/Sylvia fight could happen in California, specifically Anaheim. This is good news for us on the West Coast as this is a pretty stacked card, and a chance to see Fedor live is always special. It's going to be a looooong 2 months.
2) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria (31-4-1)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 231
Currently fighting with: UFC
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:
- vs. Frank Mir - Sometime in 2008
Comments: Yes, the UFC has named Big Nog a coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. The question remains is, how will he come off on screen? This season we have two of the biggest personalities in the UFC as coaches, can Big Nog keep the masses entertained even with a little bit of a language barrier? He speaks English, but it's so-so and it doesn't always come in "handy". Oh yeah, and the other coach is Frank Mir.....but we've already touched that.
3) Randy Couture (16-8)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Currently fighting with: UFC (still signed with company)
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: Couture vs. Liddell 2 - April 16, 2005
Next scheduled appearance:
- Wouldn't we all love to know?
Comments: Nothing new on the Randy Couture front. He's still complaining, and we are still waiting........
4) Josh Barnett (21-5)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 250
Currently fighting with: World Victory Road, Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - Win via submission (heel hook) - World Victory Road: Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
- vs. Pawel Nastula - Win via submission (toe hold) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Loss via submission (strikes) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearances:
- vs. Jeff Monson - World Victory Road: "Sengoku II" - May 18, 2008
- vs. Pedro Rizzo - Affliction Debut Show - July 19, 2008
Comments: Hey, lookee here! Barnett scheduled 2 fights in the span of 2 months! And it's against fighters who could give him a challenge. Rizzo is currently 16-7 as a pro and is a UFC veteran who has been around forever. Not to mention he is currently on a 2 fight win streak, with one of those victories over Jeff Monson back in September. This fight makes me want to see that Affliction debut show even more. Do hurry July 19th! However, Barnett is getting ready to lock up with Monson himself this weekend at World Victory Road's "Sengoku II" show. How will Barnett do? STAY TUNED!
5) Andrei Arlovski (12-5)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: Unsigned free agent
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Fabricio Werdum - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Marcio Cruz - Win via KO (strikes) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Perhaps some semi-shocking news was revealed this past week when Dana White confirmed that the UFC is currently in re-negotiations with Arlovski. It was looking like Arlovski was going to leave the UFC and possibly even appear on the Affliction debut show, or at the next Adrenaline MMA show. One thing is for sure, Arlovski has options.
6) Tim Sylvia (24-4)
Height: 6'8
Weight: 260
Currently fighting with: Adrenaline MMA, Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Randy Couture - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Jeff Monson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Affliction Debut Show - July 19, 2008
Comments: Can he do it? Can Tim Sylvia possibly be THE guy who dethrones the great Fedor Emelianenko? Personally, I don't think he has a chance in hell. Well, I guess he has a puncher's chance, but I foresee Fedor getting an early take down and submitting Sylvia. You have to remember that Sylvia looks lost on the ground. Perhaps that's a huge part of his training in the next 2 months? Good luck.
7) Fabricio Werdum (10-3-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 242
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Aleksander Emelianenko - Win via submission (choke) - 2H2H - Pride & Honor - November 12, 2006
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE - Critical Countdown Absolute - July 1, 2006
- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via submission (kimura) - PRIDE - Total Elimination Absolute - May 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Brandon Vera - UFC 85: "Liddell vs. Evans" - June 14, 2008
Comments: I guess the big news here is that nothing has gotten in the way of the Vera/Werdum fight at UFC 85. I mean, the show is cursed. It seems that as soon as fighter's would accept a fight at UFC 85, they would get injured. However, Werdum and Vera seem to be rolling along.
8) Gabriel Gonzaga (8-3)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 252
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Fabricio Werdum - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Randy Couture - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Win via KO (head kick) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Carmelo Marrero - Win via submission (arm bar) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
- vs. Fabiano Scherner - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie - May 27, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Basically Gonzaga is another guy who falls under the "Cheick Kongo" category. A guy who could be the #1 contender in the UFC, he just needs to get back on the winning side of things. Gonzaga has the talent, and is a very dangerous dude. Just watch that knock out on Mirko Cro Cop if you ever doubt him.........
9) Mirko Cro Cop (23-6-2)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 220
Currently fighting with: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM: Heiwa Dream 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Cheick Kongo - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Gabriel Gonzaga - Loss via KO (head kick) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Eddie Sanchez - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
- vs. Josh Barnett - Win via submission (strikes) - PRIDE - Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Jerome LeBanner - DREAM 5 - July 20, 2008
Comments: Mirko's upcoming fight against Jerome LeBanner at DREAM 4 was postponed due to Mirko suffering an injury. However, the fight was only pushed back a month and the two will now fight at DREAM 5 on July 20th. This is exactly a day after the Affliction debut show. Something tells me that the heavyweight rankings will be shaking up in July. Should be a GREAT summer for MMA fans!
10) Cheick Kongo (11-4-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 230
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Heath Herring - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Assuerio Silva - Win via decision (majority) - UFC 70: Nations Collide - April 21, 2007
- vs. Carmelo Marrero - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
- vs. Christian Wellisch - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: This is the guy who probably should be the new #1 contender in the UFC, had it not been for that fight against Heath Herring at UFC 82. Kongo needs to get back on the winning side of things. He needs to schedule a fight again fast and hopefully win, then perhaps re-match Herring and then his name could pop up as a potential #1 contender again.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighter's who aren't ranked yet still remain a threat in their division)
Ben Rothwell (29-5)
Height: 6'5
Weight: 265
Currently fighting with: Adrenaline MMA
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ricco Rodriguez - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - 2007 Team Championship Final - September 20, 2007
- vs. Krzysztof Soszynski - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL - 2007 Semifinals - August 2, 2007
- vs. Travis Fulton - Win via submission (kimura) - IFL - Chicago - May 19, 2007
- vs. Roy Nelson - Win via decision (split) - IFL - Moline - April 7, 2007
- vs. Matt Thompson - Win via TKO (punches) - IFL - Houston - February 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Rumored to be fighting on Affliction debut show.
Aleksander Emelianenko (13-3)
Height: 6'6
Weight: 253
Currently fighting with: Adrenaline MMA
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Silvao Santos - Win via TKO (punches) - M-1: Challenge - April 3, 2008
- vs. Dan Bobish - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - HCF - Title Wave - October 19, 2007
- vs. Jessie Gibson - Win via submission (kimura) - M-1: Russia vs. Europe - July 21, 2007
- vs. Eric Pele - Win via KO (punch) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Fabricio Werdum - Loss via submission (choke) - 2H2H - Pride & Honor - November 12, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Rumored to be facing Paul Buentello at the Affliction debut show
Frank Mir (11-3)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brock Lesnar - Win via submission (knee bar) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Antoni Hardonk - Win via submission (kimura) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Brandon Vera - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
- vs. Dan Christison - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
- vs. Marcio Cruz - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 - February 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
Antonio Silva (10-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 300
Currently fighting with: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ricco Rodriguez - Win via decision (split) - EliteXC: Street Certified - February 16, 2008
- vs. Jonathan Wiezorek - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - EliteXC: Renegade - November 10, 2007
- vs. Wesley Correira - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Destiny - February 10, 2007
- vs. Eric Pele - Loss via TKO (strikes) - BodogFight: USA vs. Russia - December 2, 2006
- vs. Georgy Kaysinov - Win via KO (punch) - K-1 HERO'S 7 - October 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
Heath Herring (28-13)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 250
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Cheick Kongo - Win via decision (split) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Brad Imes - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC: Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007
- vs. Gary Goodridge - Win via TKO (punches) - K-1 HERO's 4 - March 15, 2006
wow no love for brandon vera yet gonzaga gets an 8 rank and you put herring on the bubble? I'm gonna assume that was a mistake.
Posted By: stronelis (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 08:55 AM
You would be referring to Brandon Vera who has fought once in the last 18 months in a losing performance against Tim Sylvia?
Posted By: highone (Registered) on May 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
man the UFC is a joke !! Fabricio Werdum was apparently # 1 now they are holding it again to whom ever wins between him and Vera
Checik Kingo was #1 but thre him against Herring and now that match was supposed to be whom #1 is Herring ended up winning !
Technically if you ask me Andre' Arloski is #1 he only had 2 losses 2001/2002 and both were in a best 2 out of 3 match up against Tim Sylvia where their final meeting was a bogus decision !
The UFC fucking has to make their mind up !
Now thier hot shoting Frank Mir as #1
WTF !! Where is the justice/logic in that
Vera beat him bad! Cruz knocked his ass out ! Arloski beat cruz bad ! See the what i'm saying !! Mir's been losing since forever he submit a nobody in Antoni Hardonk and submits Brock Lesner !
And that deserves a #1 contender , when they guys that beat hiom recently are being shafted and are sitting on the pine !!!
Fuck Dana White
Posted By: Wtf (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Frank Mir's next scheduled opponent is big Nog, after the next TUF ends.
For Sylvia and Gonzaga, you list "Last 5 wins:" instead of "Last 5 fights". Odd, since they both have recent losses.
Arlovski loses to Sylvia twice, and is still ranked above him. That's interesting.
Posted By: Anon (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM
please justify Gonzaga, kongo and crocop...I mean how in the hell could any knowledgeable fan of mma really rank those three at all...you'd have to forget about CroCop losing twice in a row to guys that the ufc was feeding him in hopes of making him look really good...who were those opponents? two guys that you have ranked on the basis of them beating CroCop!! Look, heath Herring is a gate keeper (he made kongo look like an amateur)...and Gonzaga has lost to straight...get them off of this list...make them earn the friggin' accolades instead of just handing them out.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 02:20 PM
why is Fedor considered #1? don't you have to fight the best to be the best? i don't understand.
Posted By: rp1985 (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 05:30 PM
romano, why are you always such a whiny bitch?
Posted By: highone (Registered) on May 15, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Thanks for the corrections Anon. I tried a new format last time and forgot to switch those two back.
Posted By: Dustin James (Registered) on May 15, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I really like the number one contender tournament. Arlovski isn't coming back though.
I find it odd that the UFC built success from TUF; whose main two components are tournament format and team concept - yet those two things are not utilized by the UFC for their regular events.
A tournament would be very beneficial for the LW and WW, where they have too many contenders - and the HW and MW where they have too few.
I also think that they could do a team based event for a fight night. They have enough fighters from Quest, Jackson, MFS, etc. - why not match them up together - could be cool - especially if it meant Jardine/Sodkaju and Henderson/Mardquart were on the same card.
Posted By: Jamie (Guest) on May 15, 2008 at 10:13 PM
