411's MMA Rankings 8.07.08: Pound For Pound
Posted by Dustin James on 08.07.2008
It's the hottest debate currently going in MMA. Who's the best pound for pound fighter in the world? Fedor Emelianenko? Anderson Silva? Georges St. Pierre? Tank Abbot? Join 411's Dustin James as he reveals who the experts at 411 believe is truly the best fighter in MMA today.......
It's the hottest debate currently going on in this country! No, I'm not talking about Obama vs. McCain, The Rock vs. Vin Diesel, or even Pineapple Express vs. Half Baked. I'm talking about none other than Fedor Emelianenko vs. Anderson Silva. Who is truly the best pound for pound fighter in MMA? We just saw both men destroy their competition on July 19. But who is currently "da man" in MMA? Well, the answer is just a few short plugs away.......
REDBELT!
I got in advance copy of "Redbelt" on DVD which I was going to review this week. However since I'm leaving town I haven't had time to watch it yet. But don't worry! I will have a review for the movie next week! If it helps I heard the movie kicks some serious ass especially compared to "Never Back Down".
Quick Note!
Usually I would have a UFC 87 preview here seeing as this show is this weekend. However, I'm heading off to the lovely town of Las Vegas, Nevada for the weekend therefore my time is extremely short this week. I apologize in advance, but I highly recommend you read the 411 Round table preview that will be up on the main page on Friday. Also, you should head over to the 411 forums and participate in the "411 pick'ems" for UFC 87. You can test your knowledge of picking the outcomes of the fights against actual 411 writers! Plus, it's always funny to see Adam Tool get 2nd place! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
And for those of you who just can't decide who's going to win between Brock Lesnar and Heath Herring, well.....
My father always told me, if a man can beat up a shark.....he can definitely beat up a herring!
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 beat up Amy Winehouse.
411's MMA Rankings
Pound For Pound
1) Anderson Silva (22-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. James Irvin - Win via KO (punches) - UFC: Fight Night 14 - July 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Patrick Cote - UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" - October 25, 2008
Comments: Well, it looks like Anderson Silva truly is the best pound for pound fighter in MMA. After making his light heavyweight debut, he made James Irvin look like a chumpstain by knocking the druggie out in just a little over a minute. After the fight Irvin tested positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone. It seems that Irvin couldn't even beat Silva when he's all drugged up. None the less, Silva will now move back down to middleweight and defend his UFC middleweight title against Patrick Cote. Cote is currently running his mouth saying such ludicrous statements like he can take "10 of Anderson Silva's punches to his 1". Yaaaa, okkkkk. At least he's confident. It just so happens that he's the ONLY person who thinks that. Oh well, he will get a rude awakening come October 25th!
2) Fedor Emelianenko (28-1)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 233
Currently fighting with: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tim Sylvia - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Affliction "Banned" - July 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently injured
Comments: After dominating Tim Sylvia at Affliction's debut show back on July 19, it seemed that Fedor was on a collision course to face Andrei Arlovski at Affliction 2. However, after the Affliction medical suspensions were announced it was revealed that Fedor could miss up to 4 months with a hand injury. So much for fighting in October! Arlovski's new opponent is Josh Barnett! Meanwhile, Fedor will sit at home and rest his injured hand and hopefully be in perfect health in time for the DREAM New Year's Eve show in which he is currently rumored to face Mirko Cro Cop. That's one fight that I would love to see again.
3) Georges St. Pierre (16-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 19, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Serra - Win via TKO (knees to body) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Jon Fitch - UFC 87 "Seek And Destroy" - August 9, 2008
Comments: We are just days away from the much anticipated GSP/Jon Fitch fight for the UFC welterweight title! Some people are saying this could be GSP's toughest test to date. I personally have predicted GSP via decision. What do you have? Either way, it is a very difficult fight to pick. Not to mention, if Fitch can pull off a victory over GSP, he will no doubt find a spot in these here pound for pound rankings. What a weekend we have ahead!
4) B.J. Penn (13-4-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: December 13, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Sean Sherk - Win via TKO (knees and punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: So, what's BJ have up his sleeve? It's looking like he wants to solidify his pound for pound ranking by moving up to the welterweight division and possibly face the winner of GSP/Fitch. Penn is pretty confident that GSP will beat Fitch to the point of where Penn has basically called out GSP to fight him at the UFC's New Year's Eve show in December. In their first, GSP won via split decision. Many people blamed Penn's loss on his cardio, which he has seemingly worked on. Would Penn be able to defeat GSP if GSP can get by Fitch? The welterweight division continues to be one of the UFC's most interesting divisions.
5) Urijah Faber (21-1)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: May 14, 1979
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 Fights:
- vs. Jens Pulver - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 34: Sacramento - June 1, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mike Brown - WEC 36 - September 10, 2008
Comments: Faber will step back into the Octagon at WEC 36 when he faces the veteran Mike Brown (17-4) at WEC 36 in September. Brown holds victories over Takeshi Yamazaki, Jeff Curran, and Yves Edwards. His resume isn't that impressive and I can't see Faber struggling against him. Hopefully Faber gets by Brown and does it in quick fashion so we can FINALLY get that dream fight of Faber/Kid Yamamoto! Make it happen!
6) 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: The next season of The Ultimate Fighter starts airing next month. You know.... the one you have ALL been waiting for! I take it I'm not the only one hoping that Big Nog's team makes Frank Mir's team look silly. I mean, Big Nog DOES have Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida as his assistant coaches. That's a pretty strong team of coaches right there. No disrespect to Robert Drysdale of course......
7) Miguel Torres (34-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: January 18, 1981
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 Fights:
- vs. Yoshiro Maeda - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) - WEC 34: Sacramento - June 1, 2008
- vs. Chase Beebe - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 32: Albuquerque - February 13, 2008
- vs. Jeff Bedard - Win via submission (triangle choke) - WEC 30: Las Vegas - September 5, 2007
- vs. Darius Turcinskas - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - IMMAC 2: Attack - April 21, 2007
- vs. Charles Wilson - Win via submission (triangle choke) - TFC 7 - February 10, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
-vs. Currently unknown
Comments: You know how impressed some people are with Miguel Torres? Frank Mir himself recently stated that he doesn't think Fedor Emelianenko should be ranked ahead of Torres. So, what that's say? Either it says Frank Mir is crazy, or it means that Torres really is that good. Either way, I can't wait for him to fight again. DO HURRY!
8) Lyoto Machida (13-0)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: May 3, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thiago Silva - UFC 89 "Bisping vs. Leben" - October 18, 2008
Comments: We are just a few months away from Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva! A fight that I actually LOVE. Both fighter's are currently undefeated and both are considered to be the "future" of the UFC's light heavyweight division. Machida remains one of the most unpopular fighters in the UFC due to his fighting style. However, you can not discredit his 13-0 record as well as his victories over Tito Ortiz and Sokoudjou. Not to mention, Forrest Griffin himself has stated that he has no interest in fighting Machida. What's wrong Forrest? SCARED?
9) Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
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:
- Currently injured
Comments: I don't like to throw my fellow 411mania writers under the bus, but this one baffles me. In the last pound for pound rankings we had Shogun on the bubble. Now we have him ranked #9, and even ahead of the guy who beat him last (Forrest Griffin). I can't defend this seeing as I didn't have Shogun ranked in my personal top 10. Some of the writer's here had him ranked as high as #5! HUH???? I mean, ya the guy's fantastic but if he loses to Forrest Griffin and then sits out almost an entire year.....how is he ranked #5?!?! Either way, Shogun has targeted a December return. Will he return to the form that we all know and love? Hopefully he will so he can justify this ranking.
10) Forrest Griffin (16-4)
Height: 6'3
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Win by decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Comments: Forrest Griffin's surprise win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson for the UFC light heavyweight title was enough to knock Jackson completely out of the pound for pound rankings and was just enough to squeeze Forrest in at #10. Even though I didn't agree with the decision of the fight, I have to give credit where it's due. Forrest put on a hell of a fight and is now the UFC's golden boy. Not bad for the winner of the very first season of "The Ultimate Fighter"!
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)
Takanori Gomi (28-3)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: September 22, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
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. Sung Hwan Pang - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008
Quinton Jackson (29-6)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
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. Currently unknown
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (17-1)
Height: 5'4
Birthday: March 15, 1977
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
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
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 "Liddell vs. Evans - September 6, 2008
Forrest has to squeeze in at number 10 when his last 2 fights/wins were against the # 1 and # 2 ranked LHW's in the world... while BJ gets a free ride to #4 even though he hasn't fought a top contender (and won) in years.
Swap those two and I'd be agree with the ranks.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Wow...Silva beat a top 30 lightheavyweight and people can't get off of his nuts.
Fedor destroys a top 5 heavyweight and is still not given the recognition he deserves as p4p king.
Why is Big Nog ranked lower than Urijah? I'm a Urijah fan but that doesn't make sense.
Posted By: Guest#0399 (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 12:44 AM
while BJ gets a free ride to #4 even though he hasn't fought a top contender (and won) in years.
Swap those two and I'd be agree with the ranks.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 12:43 AM
erf? bj penn beat sherk, in a amazing preformance! showing his awesome striking, take down defense and improved stamina...
but ya. the shogun thing threw me off... where the hell did he come from on this list?
Posted By: Guest#7747 (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 01:14 AM
nice write up, just nit picking but Jackson's last 5 fights is out of date, missing the Forrest fight
Posted By: furble (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Why the heck is Forrest that low. What does he need to do to get some love from the rankings.
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 07:52 AM
I cant belive that rashad evens isnt in the rankings he hasnt lost yet, and that bullsh** tie with tito he should of one.
Posted By: where is sugar (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 10:55 AM
No Brock Lesnar. WHAAAA?!!?!?!!?!
Posted By: WWE Mark (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 10:56 AM
i personally believe that if fedor and the spider were to fight in a magic planet that made them the same exact size, that fedor would win...so he's my number 1, however that isn't something i'm a fan of arguing...i'd compromise and call fedor 1a and silva 1b, the thing that makes this ranking lose all credibility is shogun's appearance at nine...once you have that, the rest of these rankings don't mean a damned thing
Posted By: romano (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 10:57 AM
yes, Penn beat Sherk... so? Sherk was the top ranked LW, but he's not a top ranked fighter.
Sean couldn't hang with the big boys lost to Hughes, and then, when he lost to GSP, he ran to a different weight class.... heh, sounds a lot like the BJ Penn story- but somehow Penn gets a free pass to #4.
Posted By: Guest#0017 (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Fedor not being ranked NUMBER ONE shows the world than this list is a total TRAVESTY.....
Posted By: Mr Freeze (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 01:41 PM
itsjust funny.. no matter wat anyone ses, all around the world. the exact top 4 is wat everyone sees too.. SO STOP BIOTCHING! bj penn is god
Posted By: guest (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 02:19 PM
I cant belive that rashad evens isnt in the rankings he hasnt lost yet, and that bullsh** tie with tito he should of one.
Posted By: where is sugar (Guest) on August 07, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I believe what you meant to say is that Evans "should HAVE WON." (as opposed to "of one.").
You are wrong. Evans should have lost. Only a point deduction against Tito for grabbing the fence saved Evans' undefeated record.
Posted By: John Kreese (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 02:55 PM
"
itsjust funny.. no matter wat anyone ses, all around the world. the exact top 4 is wat everyone sees too.. SO STOP BIOTCHING! bj penn is god
Posted By: guest (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 02:19 PM"
______________________________________
God huh? Then it's quite funny that your God hasn't beaten a top ranked fighter in over 4 years.
He's just another WW who couldn't hang with the big boys and dropped down to fight other guys who couldn't fight the big boys.
Being king of the "almost, but not quite crew" doesn't make him a top P4P fighter.
If he were to fight some real competition and wins decisively it'd be a different story, but so far he hasn't shown anything. Pulver, Stevenson, and a Sherk who thought ignoring his wrestling background and standing would be a good idea... sorry, those wins don't make someone a God.
Posted By: Guest#6240 (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Fedor not being number one shows how much of a Noob MMA website this is.
Fedor finished a top 5 HW quicker then Silva could finish a jobber at LH.
Fedor has never lost and Silva has.
Fedor always fights bigger guys where Silva cuts 20 lbs so he can fight smaller guys.
Fedor has been champion longer etc..
Who ever put A.Silva at number 1 after July 19th is a complete Noob.
Posted By: RedVexx (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 10:01 PM
People should really stop taking these lists so personally, like Fedor is your Mother, Father and Gran all rolled into one. Both he and Silva are fantastic fighters who are a joy to watch for different reasons. Fedor like the German Football team - very efficient - and Silva like the Brazilians - lots of flair.
Personally, I prefer watching the Spider as he seems to move like an MMA version of Muhammad Ali, but each to his own
Posted By: Dave (Guest) on August 08, 2008 at 10:57 PM
redVexx. Fedor has lost. Controversial as it was, and a bit shitty, he has lost. And Fedor doesn't exactly just fight bigger guys. Matt Lindland isn't known for his giant size. Same for Babalu.
So maybe you are the "noob"?
Posted By: ButchReedMark (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 12:38 PM
German football team? i believe it should be soccer team, i don't give a shit that soccer was created first or that it is the most popular sport it's still soccer not football. the only reason it's the most popular sport is because 3rd world countries can only afford a ball to kick around
Posted By: DJ (Guest) on August 09, 2008 at 01:23 PM
Maybe if Fedor would fight a guy in his prime and step into the UFC take some young guys on and not a beaten up tim sylvia whats that prove he got be by Randy Couture Fedor should quit dodging fights yeah he fights bigger guys but hong man choi wasnt even allowed to fight lesnar last year because of medical reasons.Anderson Sylva belongs as #1 he fights all comers and even moves up weight classes personally I would have Fedor no higher than 3rd
Posted By: Guest#7097 (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 04:14 AM
Cung Le should be in the top 5!!!!!!!
Posted By: guest (Guest) on August 10, 2008 at 06:27 AM
