411's MMA Rankings 07.03.08: Middleweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 07.03.2008
It's time again for 411 to rank the best middleweight fighters in MMA! Has Anderson Silva's move to light heavyweight impacted his ranking? What about Rich Franklin's move? What about "Jacare" Souza and Gegard Mousasi? Where do they land? 411's Dustin James gives you all the details inside.....
Welcome back to another extraordinary edition of 411's official MMA rankings beyotch! I know, I know, it's UFC 86 weekend and the Forrest Griffin/Rampage fight just doesn't have the heat to get you excited. Well guess what. You need to break out your MMA bible and read it because this fight has EVERYTHING to be excited about. Who cares if the two fighter's don't hate each other. Do we really need that to get excited about this fight? It's Forrest Griffin vs. RAMPAGE. Two of the most talented fighters in the UFC. How could you not get excited for that? If this fight doesn't excite you......please, close window now.
Oh yeah, we have rankings to discuss.......
BUT THAT'S MUCH LATER..........
Before we move on, I would like to wish everybody a happy 4th of July. I'd tell you to be safe, but the truth is.....4th of July is THAT much more exciting when somebody gets injured. (Do NOT put Whistling Pete powder on a paper towel and light it!!!) We are having a huge par-TAY at my place on the 4th, so if you have huge boobs and live near the wonderful town of Niketown, Oregon (Beaverton).....give me a ring-a-ling.
UFC 86 Preview!
It's time once again for another great weekend of UFC action. And of course, I bring to you my UFC PPV preview to help you when you go put your bets down, etc. Of course, I'm the defending UFC PICK'EMS champion in the 411 forums. I highly recommend checking out the MMA forums on 411 and entering the PICK'EMS as it's a good way to test your picks against 411 writers and MMA writers from other popular websites. I will not reveal who I'm picking to win the fights in this preview, seeing as I don't want anybody copying my genius mind. However, you can see my picks in the 411 round table for UFC 86.....which defeats the whole purpose of THAT. Anyways, on with the preview.......
Fact: Both fighters competed on The Ultimate Fighter season 6. They also both fought at the Ultimate Fighter season 6 finale with Saunders getting a decision victory over Dan Barrera, and Rollins losing via TKO to Jon Koppenhaver.
-Corey Hill (2-0) (Wins: 2 TKOs) vs. Justin Buchholz (7-2) (Wins: 3 KOs, 3 submissions, 1 other)
Fact: Corey Hill appeared on The Ultimate Fighter season five. He also stands 6'4 and weighs 155 pounds.
Fact: Melvin Guillard currently has a record of 3-3 in the UFC with losses to Josh Neer, Joe Stevenson, and Rich Clementi. However, he holds a victory over Marcus Davis.
-Jorge Gurgel (12-3) (Wins: 9 submissions, 3 decisions) vs. Cole Miller (13-3) (Wins: 3 TKOs, 8 submissions, 2 decisions)
Fact: Before fighting in the UFC, Jorge Gurgel had never fought to a decision. However, all 5 of his UFC fights have ended up going to a decision.
Fact: Aurelio is currently 2-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming at the hands of Clay Guida at UFC 74. Griffin is currently 4-1 in the UFC and beat Guida at UFC 72.
Fact: Both fighters hold a victory over Pete Spratt. Lytle beat Spratt at Shooto Challenge 2 with a rear naked choke in 46 seconds. Koscheck beat Spratt at the very first UFC Fight Night with a rear naked choke in 1:53.
Fact: Rampage lost to Shogun Rua back at PRIDE: Total Elimination 2005 via KO. Forrest just beat Shogun at UFC 76 via rear naked choke.
Looks like a DAMN good show! Now with the real reason you came here...........
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. 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 "Seattle Mariners fans".
411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Anderson Silva (21-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
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:
- vs. James Irvin - UFC Fight Night 14 - July 19, 2008
Comments: So, what is going to happen to the UFC's middleweight division now that the man who has run rampant through the division is planning on making his light heavyweight debut in a few weeks against James Irvin? To tell you the truth, the division will probably be just as boring as it has been since Silva started kicking everybody's ass. I'm thinking Silva did this as a chance to challenge himself, as well as fight more. I can't see Silva struggling with Irvin and I expect him to show the World why he is the #1 pound for pound fighter.
2) Paulo Filho (16-0)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: May 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Chael Sonnen - Win via verbal submission (arm bar) - WEC 31: Faber vs. Curran - December 12, 2007
- vs. Joe Doerksen - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 29 - August 5, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
- vs. Ryo Chonan - Win via submission (arm bar) - PRIDE: Bushido 12 - August 26, 2006
- vs. Gregory Bouchelaghem - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 11 - June 4, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chael Sonnen - WEC 36 - September 10, 2008
Comments: It's looking like Filho has taken care of those personal demons he was fighting and is ready to make a comeback to MMA! Filho has gone ahead and accepted a re-match with Chael Sonnen which will happen at WEC 36 in September. This is one fight that Filho needs to be careful with. Sonnen was owning Filho in their previous fight until Filho pulled the submission victory out of nowhere, and of course it was a controversial one. Sonnen verbally tapped but after the fight he denied ever saying it. Sonnen will get his chance to redeem himself in 2 months. Good luck Chael, you could need it.
3) Dan Henderson (22-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: August 24, 1970
Currently Fighting With: UFC
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. Rousimar Palhares - UFC 88 - September 6, 2008
Comments: Henderson's rumored fight with Rousimar Palhares has been upgraded from "possible" to "most likely". What does that mean? That means barring some freak accident, this fight will go down. It's my opinion that this is a "make or break" fight for Hendo. He has a HUGE contract with the UFC and they will not want to continue to pay him if he is on a 3 fight losing streak. But seriously Hendo, no pressure.
4) Rich Franklin (23-3)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: October 5, 1974
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Travis Lutter - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre 2 - April 19, 2008
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Yushin Okami - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007
- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
-vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Matt Hamill - UFC 88 - September 6, 2008
Comments: Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill at UFC 88! I'm down for that. What? You expected more? I'm still a little depressed we aren't getting Franklin vs. Hendo!
5) Yushin Okami (21-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: July 21, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Evan Tanner - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Rich Franklin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007
- vs. Mike Swick - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Rory Singer - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new on Okami, but he has to be bummed that Anderson Silva decided to take a light heavyweight fight. I'm sure Okami would LOVE a crack at Silva's title.
6) Robbie Lawler (15-4)
Height: 5'11
Currently Fighting With: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Scott Smith - No contest (thumb in the eye) - EliteXC: Primetime - May 31, 2008
- vs. Murilo Rua - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Uprising - September 15, 2007
- vs. Frank Trigg - Win via KO (strikes) - ICON Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007
- vs. Eduardo Pamplona - Win via TKO - IFL: Atlanta - February 23, 2007
- vs. Joey Villasenor - Win via KO (flying knee) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Scott Smith - EliteXC on CBS - July 26, 2008
Comments: So the Lawler/Smith fight at EliteXC's primetime show didn't end the way that ANYBODY wanted it too. However, we will be seeing a rematch on EliteXC's NEXT CBS show coming up on July 26th. It should be an intense fight much like the first one. Let's just hope it doesn't end the same way.......
7) Matt Lindland (20-5)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: May 17, 1970
Currently Fighting With: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Loss via submission (arm bar) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
- vs. Carlos Newton - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - IFL: Houston - February 2, 2007
- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: Portland - September 9, 2006
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via decision (split) - WFA: King of the Streets - July 22, 2006
- vs. Mike Van Arsdale - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Raze MMA: Fight Night - April 29, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Fabio Negao - Affliction "Banned" - July 19, 2008
Comments: It's almost time baby! It's been over a year since "The Law" last fought, but that's all about to end. Lindland's opponent at Affliction "Banned" is going to be Fabio Negao. Negao is 8-3 as a pro with his 3 losses coming to Demian Maia, Ray Lizama, & Rousimar Palhares. Don't sleep on Negao here. Lindland should win, but will the fact that he took such a long hiatus from MMA impact him?
8) Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (9-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jason Miller - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Ian Murphy - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - April 29, 2008
- vs. Wendell Santos - Win via submission - HTJ: Hero's the Jungle - October 13, 2007
- vs. Jose Ribamar - Win via submission (arm bar) - AC: Amazon Challenge - September 29, 2007
- vs. Bill Vucick - Win via submission (strikes) - GFC: Evolution - May 19, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals - September 23, 2008
Comments: Welcome to 411's top 10 rankings Jacare Souza! It should come as no surprise that Souza is finally in the top 10. The guy lost his very first professional fight, and since then has finished every single opponent via submission minus Jason Miller at DREAM 4. He is my personal favorite to win the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix. I can't wait for September 23rd.
9) Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dong Sik Yoon - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Denis Kang - Win via submission (triangle choke) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Opening Round - April 29, 2008
- vs. Steve Mensing - Win via KO - M-1: Slamm - March 2, 2008
- vs. Evangelista Santos - Win via TKO - HCF: Destiny - February 1, 2008
- vs. Damir Mirenic - Win via TKO - HCF: Title Wave - October 19, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix Semi Finals - September 23, 2008
Comments: It should come as no surprise that Mousasi cracks the top 10 here. After shocking the MMA world with a victory over highly ranked Denis Kang, Mousasi followed that up with a decision victory over Dong Sik Yoon at DREAM 4. Mousasi is the real deal and I would love to see him paired up against Melvin Manhoef at DREAM 6.
10) Nathan Marquardt (26-8-2)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 20, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Thales Leites - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Jeremy Horn - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Anderson Silva - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Dean Lister - Win via decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007
- vs. Crafton Wallace - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3 - October 10, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Nate Marquardt lost a very controversial decision to Thales Leites at UFC 85. Marquardt was deducted points for shots to the back of the head, which didn't really look that bad. Then he went out and gave Leites a SPIKE PILEDRIVER FROM HELL yet wasn't deducted points. It came down to the judge's score card and it was a split decision to Leites. A lot of fans were not happy with that decision and thought Marquardt should have gotten the win. Either way, the fact that Marquardt has defeated better competition than Leites keeps him ahead in the rankings for now.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighters who aren't ranked but still remain a threat in their weight division)
Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1)
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Denis Kang - Win via KO (punch) - K1 Olympia HERO's 2007 in Korea - October 28, 2007
- vs. Kazushi Sakuraba - No contest - K1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2006
- vs. Melvin Manhoef - Win via submission (armbar) - K1 Hero's 7 - October 9, 2006
- vs. Kestutis Smirnovas - Win via TKO (strikes) - K1 Hero's 7 - October 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Jason Miller (21-6)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: December 24, 1980
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ronaldo Souza - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Katsuyori Shibata - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 3 - May 11, 2008
- vs. Tim Kennedy - Win via decision (unanimous) - HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon - December 15, 2007
- vs. Hiromitsu Miura - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 27: Las Vegas - May 12, 2007
- vs. Hector Urbina - Win via TKO (punches) - Icon Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007
- vs. Frank Trigg - Loss via TKO - Icon Sport: Mayhem vs. Trigg - December 1, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Dong Sik Yoon - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008 (RUMORED)
Frank Trigg (16-6)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: May 7, 1972
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Edwin Dewees - Win via submission (kimura) - HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon - December 15, 2007
- vs. Robbie Lawler - Loss via KO (strikes) - Icon Sport: Epic - March 31, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Jason Miller - Win via TKO (strikes and kicks) - Icon Sport - December 2, 2006
- vs. Carlos Condit - Loss via submission (triangle arm bar) - ROTR 9: Rumble on the Rock 9 - April 21, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008
Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: April 25, 1976
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Logan Clark - Win via decision (unanimous) - World Victory Road: Sengoku 3 - June 8, 2008
- vs. Siyar Bahadurzada - Win via submission (guillotine) - World Victory Road: Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - No contest (Akiyama KO'd by illegal kick) - Yarennoka - New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Frank Trigg - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Denis Kang - Win via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - Strikeforce's 2nd Playboy Mansion Show - September 19, 2008
Denis Kang (29-10-1)
Last 5 fights:
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
- vs. Gegard Mousasi - Loss via submission (triangle choke) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round - April 29, 2008
- vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama - Loss via KO (punch) - K1 Olympia HERO's 2007 in Korea - October 28, 2007
- vs. Junggyu Choi - Win via decision (unanimous) - Spirit: Martial Challenge - March 11, 2007
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Loss via decision (split) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Bushido 13 - November 5, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Thales Leites (13-1)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: September 6, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nathan Marquardt - Win via decision (split) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Ryan Jensen - Win via submission (arm bar) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Floyd Sword - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter 5 finale - June 23, 2007
- vs. Pete Sell - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Martin Kampmann - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter 4 finale - November 11, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Martin Kampmann (16-2)
Birthday: April 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jorge Rivera - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Drew McFedries - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Thales Leites - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter 4 finale - November 11, 2006
- vs. Crafton Wallace - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Fight Night 6 - August 17, 2006
- vs. Edwin Aguilar - Win via TKO (strikes) - WFA: King of the Streets - July 22, 2006
A giant hell yea to Jacare. I hope he climbs the ladder very soon!!!
Posted By: TJ (Guest) on July 02, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Hey where is Bisping on this list
Posted By: pikey (Guest) on July 03, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Kang is on the bubble with a 2-3 over his last five?! WHY!
Posted By: pikey (Guest) on July 03, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Good call on Bisping. I'd call it an oversight more than anything. I am positive he'll be on the list in the 4-6 range if he beats Leben. Kang may have lost two of his last five but they came to two very world class fighters in bouts he was winning prior to getting KO'd/submitted.
Posted By: punchdrunk (Registered) on July 03, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I'd put Franklin above Hendo because I think Franklin has the more impressive resume at 185 (not overall as some of Hendo biggest wins were at 205)
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on July 03, 2008 at 02:01 PM
To be honest, I keep forgetting to put Michael Bisping on the bubble. My mind still views him as a light heavyweight.
Posted By: Dustin James (Registered) on July 03, 2008 at 06:34 PM
fuck thales leites. how could the guy even feel like a winner after that fight? he lost that fight badly, but because of two deducted points, he won it by split decision... and he still cheered like it was a huge victory.
Posted By: franklin (Guest) on July 03, 2008 at 07:07 PM
I didn't forget Bisping. He's right where he belongs on my list.
Posted By: Scott Kuczkowski (Registered) on July 04, 2008 at 03:02 AM
