411's MMA Rankings 9.18.08: Middleweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 09.18.2008
It's time again for the MMA fanatics here at 411mania.com to rank the best middleweight fighters in MMA! You know who's #1, but who's #2? Is it Dan Henderson? Paulo Filho? Nate Marquardt? 411's Dustin James gives you all the answers inside.......
Yes, it's that time again. It's time for us here at 411mania.com to present YOU, the MMA fans your list of the top middleweight fighters in MMA. It's really hard to come up with a teaser for this specific weight division seeing as Anderson Silva has destroyed the competition the past two years. But still, you know you are interested in seeing who his top contenders are. So sit tight and enjoy the ride.......
BUT FIRST~!
Just in case the MMA rankings are the only thing you read on this site (ya right!), you need to check out 411's MMA Fact or Fiction this week and every week! This week yours truly battles NoKaut.com's Randall Harrison in an epic battle. Seriously, it's epic. I even mention "tig o'bitties". Oh, how juvenile!
And remember....check back every Friday and read Adam Tool's news reports. I would link it here, but the guy already owes me enough money!
Fantasy Football Update:
I'm currently 2-0 in the 411 Fantasy Football league. I understand Larry Csonka has been bragging that he is also 2-0. That's only because he hasn't faced me yet, and when he does....I will destroy him. Stay tuned to hear the good stories about how I made a grown man cry.
Now, on with the chlorophyll..........
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, we can be tough. When combined we could probably beat up Verne Troyer.
411's Official MMA Rankings: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
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 - October 25, 2008
Comments: We are just a month away from the "dream match" of the century. Yes folks, I'm talking about Silva vs. Cot......OK, so I couldn't keep a straight face. Sue me for trying to build the fight up. We all know what's going to happen here. Cote already said he plans on standing with Silva and banging with him. Dude, that's a bad move. I'm 95% sure that Silva will win this fight in under 2 minutes. The other 5% is punchers chance for Cote. You always have to give somebody at least 5% to get a lucky punch in. Just ask Matt Serra.
2) Dan Henderson (23-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: August 24, 1970
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rousimar Palhares - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: I will be the first one to admit that I was a little nervous about Henderson's fight against the tree stump known as Rousimar Palhares. Palhares is a submission expert and as soon as you hit the ground with him, he's dangerous. Just ask Henderson. However, Danny boy was able to survive this fight and continue on his track towards a rematch with Anderson Silva. Will he get it? Will Nate Marquardt get it? Silva's contenders in the middleweight division are very thin so look for some rematches to start popping up after he fights Cote (assuming he wins). I'm assuming the UFC would throw Henderson in for a rematch before Marquardt, but we shall see.
3) 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 - Postponed until November
Comments: The biggest rumor going around was that Anderson Silva and Paulo Filho (who are great friends and training partners) were considering stepping into the Octagon and facing each other. However, they both came out recently and squashed those rumors saying they have no interest in fighting. The biggest loser in all this....us. Filho does get a little time off however due to Hurricane Ike forcing WEC to move their WEC 36 card to November. Now he gets a little extra training time to prepare for Chael Sonnen. Good news for him.
4) Rich Franklin (24-3)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: October 5, 1974
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Hamill - Win via TKO (kick to the body) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Is Rich Franklin going to stay in the UFC's middleweight division after his impressive win over Matt Hamill in his return to the light heavyweight division? If I was a betting man I would say that Franklin will bounce between divisions unless he continues his winning ways as a LHW. Anderson Silva is the champion of the middleweight division and is also the kryptonite of Franklin. If he plans on winning another UFC title anytime soon than perhaps he should consider a possible fight with Forrest Griffin, or even Rashad Evans? Great match-ups in either division for Franklin.
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: Okami is still recovering from his injury, but you can guarantee that when he's ready to return he is the first man on the UFC's list to face Anderson Silva. Bet on it.
6) Robbie Lawler (16-4)
Height: 5'11
Currently Fighting With: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Scott Smith - Win via TKO (kicks and punches) - EliteXC: Unfinished Business - July 26, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: A big rumor going around is that Robbie Lawler could end up facing Joey Villasenor at EliteXC's November show on Showtime. Is this seriously the best match-up that EliteXC can come up with for Lawler? Lawler destroyed Villasenor a few years back and I personally have no interest in this rematch. It's no wonder EliteXC is losing money. It's called "building up challengers". The UFC does a great job doing it, why can't EliteXC? Hell, I would rather see a third fight between Scott Smith and Lawler than a rematch between Lawler and Villasenor. EliteXC should consider signing some of DREAM's middleweights as a Lawler vs. Gegard Mousasi, Melvin Manhoef, or Jacare Souza sound much more appealing than anything they currently have.
7) Matt Lindland (21-5)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: May 17, 1970
Currently Fighting With: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Fabio Negao - Win via decision (unanimous) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Trevor Prangley - Affliction's "Day Of Reckoning" - January 2009
Comments: Just when we thought we were going to get TWO Matt Lindland fights in a year, Affliction goes and postpones "Day Of Reckoning" until January of next year. Bummer deal for Lindland fans.
8) Nathan Marquardt (27-8-2)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 20, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Martin Kampmann - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Did anybody else see that Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt fight at UFC 88? Me neither. I blinked and missed it. In all seriousness, Marquardt destroyed Kampmann in impressive fashion. It only took him one minute and twenty two seconds to KO Kampmann in what was Kampmann's first loss in the UFC. Marquardt did solidify his chances for a rematch with Silva in the near future. Especially if he can continue winning against top competition.
9) 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. Zelg Galesic - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix Finals - September 23, 2008
Comments: We are just days away from the finals of the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix. Who's going to take it? My money is still on the BJJ wizard otherwise known as "Jacare". Either way it will be a fantastic card, and one that I will hopefully get to finally see due to the fact that Comcast has just reached a deal with HDNet! Go me!
10) 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. Melvin Manhoef - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix Finals - September 23, 2008
Comments: See: Souza, Ronaldo. Will we see a finals of Mousasi vs. Jacare? If everything goes right, we will. But to tell you the truth, I would be fine with either match-up for Jacare.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighters who aren't ranked but still remain a threat in their weight division)
Yoshihiro Akiyama (11-1)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: July 29, 1975
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Katsuyori Shibata - Win via submission (GI choke) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 - July 21, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Masanori Tonooka - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
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. Currently unknown
Frank Trigg (17-6)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: May 7, 1972
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Makoto Takimoto - Win via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
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. Joe Riggs - Strikeforce's 2nd Playboy Mansion Show - September 19, 2008
Denis Kang (30-10-1)
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jae Young Kim - Win via KO - Spirit MC 18: The Champion - August 31, 2008
- 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
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:
- vs. Goran Reljic - UFC 90 - October 25, 2008
Patrick Cote (13-4)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: February 29, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ricardo Almeida - Win via decision (split) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Drew McFedries - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC: Fight Night 12 - January 23, 2008
- vs. Kendall Grove - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Jason Day - Win via TKO - TKO 29: Repercussion - June 1, 2007
- vs. Scott Smith - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Anderson Silva - UFC 90 - October 25, 2008
Vitor Belfort (17-8)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: January 4, 1977
Currently Fighting With: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Terry Martin - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction "Banned" - July 19, 2008
- vs. James Zikic - Win via decision - CR 23: Unbelievable - September 22, 2007
- vs. Ivan Serati - Win via TKO (punches) - CR 21: Judgement Day - April 21, 2007
- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
- vs. Yoshiki Takahashi - Win via KO (punch) - PRIDE: Critical Countdown Absolute - July 1, 2006
I'm pissed that DREAM didn't set up a Mayhem vs. Akiyama alternate fight.
And Mousasi will KO Jacare in the finals.
Posted By: Tonley (Registered) on September 18, 2008 at 12:02 AM
hey dint trigg beat AJ styles in (fake)MMA fight??
hahaha jeepers TNA what will you do next
Posted By: Guest#1665 (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 12:31 AM
"I'm 95% sure that Silva will win this fight in under 2 minutes. The other 5% is punchers chance for Cote. You always have to give somebody at least 5% to get a lucky punch in."
_______________________________________
...more like:
I'm 95% sure that Silva will win this fight in under 2 minutes. The other 5% is Cote pulling a Kalib Starnes and doing laps to last more then the 2 minutes (which I'd admit- there'd be no shame in... hell, I'd jump the cage- and try to claim a victory, of course, when both my feet land on the floor).
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Okay what is it gonna take for Bisping to at least make On the Bubble!!!
Posted By: pikey (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 02:50 AM
WAR MAYHEM
WAR WAR WAR !!!!!
I'm pissed that Elite XC didn't set up an Lawler vs Miller title fight
Posted By: Guest#5726 (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Anderson Silva is no doubt #1, everyone else can be mixed and matched in any way possible and it wouldn't matter. Nuff said
Posted By: jj Abraham (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 12:44 PM
I'm not sure I get the Paulo Fihlo hype, but I've only seen his WEC fights. I'm not sure he's done enough to be ranked ahead of Franklin. Would love to see Frankling-Hendu match up in UFC.
Posted By: Gary Goodrich (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 01:31 PM
What will it take for Bisping to make the bubble? Since none of us like him, he’d probably have to beat Silva. Clear it up for you any?
Posted By: Scott Kuczkowski (Registered) on September 18, 2008 at 04:12 PM
where's cael sonnen(if thats how you spell it)?
Posted By: guest (Guest) on September 18, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Just a couple things. Henderson and Franklin should switch spots. Henderson is the better wrestler but Franklin has put his whole game together.
In a Franklin vs Filho fight it would be a close fight. I'd pick Franklin, but Filho might have an edge because he trains with the only two men who beat Franklin.
Mousasi should be bumped off by Thales Leites.
Also, Frank Trigg is on the bubble and Chael Sonnen is nowhere to be seen? Really?
Finally, Robbie Lawler is overated. He is too small for MW.
Posted By: KSti (Registered) on September 18, 2008 at 08:27 PM
You forgot about Maia, and Mousasi should not be ranked below Jacare he has a better record and has faced much stiffer competition.
Posted By: homegrowncone (Guest) on September 20, 2008 at 02:08 PM
