411's MMA Rankings 10.23.08: Heavyweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 10.23.2008
It's time again for us to rank the best heavyweight fighters in MMA! Will anybody ever take the top spot from Fedor? Not likely, but we tell you who his top challengers are! I also discuss the fall of EliteXC and what could happen with Kimbo Slice. All that and more inside the latest edition of 411's MMA Rankings!
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back. The big news this week is the fact that EliteXC has folded. I think we shall go ahead and file this in the "NEWS EVERYBODY SAW COMING" cabinet. The only bad part about the whole situation is now Kimbo Slice will probably never crack the top 10 heavyweight rankings (sad face). I mean, who else is going to offer Slice $500,000 to fight? EliteXC is done, Affliction won't pay him that much, Strikeforce will pass, but Japan is a definite maybe. WWE may be willing to take the risk but Slice doesn't have what you call "great mic skills". Sure the guy is charismatic, but if you give him the mic and expect a great promo out of him....you will be let down. Trust me. I will hopefully learn more about the situation in the next few days and discuss it in this weekend's "The Ultimate Writer":
Oh yeah, speaking of top 10 heavyweight rankings.......
Last Year At This Time
This is a new feature I have introduced to the rankings. I will list the top 10 from a year ago so you can compare the two. It's that easy!
9) TIE - Ben Rothwell
9) TIE - Fabricio Werdum
9) TIE - Sergei Kharitonov
8) Cheick Kongo
7) Mirko Cro Cop
6) Andrei Arlovski
5) Tim Sylvia
4) Gabriel Gonzaga
3) Josh Barnett
2) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria
1) Fedor Emelianenko
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 get a contract offer from EliteXC!
411's Official MMA Rankings
Heavyweight Division
1) 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:
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Affliction's Next Show - January 24, 2009
Comments: Affliction has made the rumored Fedor/Arlovski fight official for their next PPV to be held on January 24 in Anaheim, California. That's not the only related Fedor news we have this time around. With the news that M-1 Global and Affliction have partnered up, Fedor is now EXCLUSIVE to M-1 & Affliction. So all hope for a possible Couture/Fedor fight is now pretty much out the window. I mean, ya it could happen in 2-3 years.....but who wants to see that? We wanted that fight NOW, not when Randy Couture reaches the age of 50. Also, with the M-1/Affliction partnership they announced their intentions of starting a reality show called "Fighting Fedor" that will feature a 16-man tournament with the winner getting a chance to fight Fedor. Can we say, NO THANKS?!? I mean, ya I will totally watch this show, but if I were one of these guys who's going to be on the show I would probably pass on the chance to get a beatdown from Fedor. Can't we fight Cro Cop instead? He looks to be a little washed up now. It's real busy in Fedorland.
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 - UFC 92: "Mir vs. Noguira" - December 27, 2009
Comments: As I mentioned in the "Pound for Pound" rankings a few weeks back, I have been really impressed with how Big Nog is coming across as a coach on "The Ultimate Fighter". I loved when Nog was telling Efrain that Junie Browning would be the "next one to tap". I hated when Nog went over to the fighter's house and was getting disrespected by some of Team Mir. I don't care who you are, if Nog is speaking.....you listen. He's the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion for crying out loud.
3) Andrei Arlovski (13-5)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Roy Nelson - Win via KO (punch) - EliteXC: Heat - October 4, 2008
- vs. Ben Rothwell - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Affliction's Next Show - January 24, 2009
Comments: After defeating Roy Nelson at EliteXC "Heat", Arlovski finds himself on a 5-fight win streak and on the path to becoming Fedor's next vict....errr opponent. If I was a betting man (and that's only when I'm in Vegas) I would bet that Arlovski can last longer with Fedor than Timmy did. However, it will mean nothing when it's all said and done because Fedor is just that much better than anybody Arlovski has faced yet.
4) Randy Couture (16-8)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 225
Currently fighting with: UFC
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:
- vs. Brock Lesnar - UFC 91 "Couture vs. Lesnar" - November 15, 2008
Comments: By the next time we do these here heavyweight rankings, the much anticipated fight between Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar will have gone down. Is Lesnar for real? The answer will come on November 15. If Lesnar is able to defeat "The Natural" then we should start talking about Lesnar being the "next big thing" in MMA. The only problem with that is, I just can't see it happening. Lesnar's inexperience cost him big time against Frank Mir. Do I think Couture could defeat Mir? Yes. Randy's experience in the fighting game will come into play here. If Lesnar isn't safe Couture will capitalize. Trust me. Either way, it will be a fun one.
5) Josh Barnett (26-5)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 250
Currently fighting with: World Victory Road, Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Pedro Rizzo - Win via KO (punch) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Jeff Monson - Win via decision (unanimous) - World Victory Road: Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. To Be Announced - Sengoku 6 - November 6, 2008
Comments: Will Barnett fight at Sengoku 6 in November? Right now he is currently rumored for the card yet hasn't had an opponent named thus far. If so that would make 4 Barnett fights in the span of a year~! After a layoff of over a year, Barnett has reminded MMA fans why he's a threat in the heavyweight division.
6) Fabricio Werdum (11-3-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 242
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 wins:
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Junior dos Santos - UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" - October 25, 2008
Comments: We are just a few days away from Werdum's next fight in the UFC. He's facing UFC newcomer Junior dos Santos in what feels like a "feeder fight" for Werdum. However, don't count out dos Santos just yet. The guy started fighting in 2006 and has a professional record of 6-1. He has 4 wins via TKO and 2 wins via submission and has yet to see a decision. However, I'm picking Werdum via submission. So there, go place your bets.
7) Gabriel Gonzaga (9-3)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 252
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Justin McCully - Win via submission (kimura) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Josh Hendricks - UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" - November 15, 2008
Comments: In less than a month Gonzaga will face another UFC newcomer in Josh Hendricks. Hendricks (who has fought all over the place) is coming into the UFC with a 15-4 record with 10 wins via submission. That's pretty damn impressive. He will really have to step up his game when he faces Gonzaga though. Gonzaga is still one of the UFC's most dangerous heavyweights and can be scary good at times (Cro Cop anyone?).
8) Tim Sylvia (26-6)
Height: 6'8
Weight: 260
Currently fighting with: Adrenaline MMA, Affliction
Last 5 wins:
- vs. Fedor Emelianenko - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Tim Sylvia is the king of rumorland right now. It's rumored that both DREAM and Sengoku are interested in bringing the big man in before the end of the year. However Sylvia's manager has publicly said that he wants Timmy to fight either Roy Nelson or Paul Buentello at the next Affliction card in 2009. It's a pretty good time to be Timmy right now. It seems everybody wants you......except the UFC.
9) 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:
- vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira - UFC 92 "Mir vs. Nogueira" - December 27, 2008
Comments: I can't wait for UFC 92. Why? Because I want to see Nogueira smash Mir's face in. Was that a little too harsh?
10) Alistair Overeem (28-11)
Height: 6'5
Weight: 205
Birthday: May 17, 1980
Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - No Contest (knee to the groin) - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Mark Hunt - Win via submission (keylock) - DREAM 5 - July 21, 2008
- vs. Tae Hyun Lee - Win via KO (punches) - DREAM 4 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Paul Buentello - Win via submission (knees to the body) - Strikeforce: 4 Men Enter, 1 Man Survives - November 16, 2007
- vs. Sergei Kharitonov - Loss via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO's Tournament Final - September 17, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: What a bummer ending to that Overeem/Cro Cop fight that we finally got to see back in September. Overeem hit Cro Cop in the junk so bad that Cro Cop was pissing blood that night. At least, that's what Cro Cop said....I personally didn't ask. The big question is, what's next for Overeem? A rematch with Cro Cop? A possible venture into the UFC? There's a rumor going around that Overeem is contemplating a possible move to the UFC. I would personally have no problem with that and would welcome the move with open arms.
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighter's who aren't ranked yet still remain a threat in their division)
Mirko Cro Cop (23-6-2)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 220
Currently fighting with: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Alistair Overeem - No Contest (knee to the groin) - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via TKO (punches) - 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Cheick Kongo (12-4-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 230
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dan Evensen - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mustafa Al-Turk - UFC 92 "Nogueira vs. Mir" - December 27, 2008
Aleksander Emelianenko (13-3)
Height: 6'6
Weight: 253
Currently fighting with: Adrenaline MMA, Affliction
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:
- vs. Currently unknown
Antonio Silva (11-1)
Height: 6'4
Weight: 300
Currently fighting with: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Justin Eilers - Win via TKO (knees and punches) - EliteXC: Unfinished Business - July 26, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently suspended
Brock Lesnar (2-1)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 265
Birthday: July 12, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Heath Herring - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Frank Mir - Loss via submission (kneebar) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Min Soo Kim - Win via submission (strikes) - K1 HERO's - Dynamite!! USA - June 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Randy Couture - UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" - November 15, 2008
Cain Velasquez (4-0)
Height: 6'2
Weight: 242
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jake O'Brien - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC: Silva vs. Irvin - July 19, 2008
- vs. Brad Morris - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Jeremiah Constant - Win via TKO - BodogFIGHT: St Petersburg - December 16, 2006
- vs. Jesse Fujarczyk - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello - October 7, 2006
SO if the rules state a fighter cant be ranked if he hasnt fought in a year, WTF is Couture doing on this list?? I know it says that if they schedule a fight, they can be ranked, but come on. Just cause they schedule it doesnt mean the fight will actually happen.
That part needs to be changed.
Posted By: Guest#4715 (Guest) on October 22, 2008 at 11:49 PM
And where is Kharitonov...coming off three straight victories, FINISHES at that. Including one against Overeem?
Gonzaga beat a declining Crocop, lost two fights and beat McCully...and hes up there!??!
Posted By: Mister S Dot (Guest) on October 23, 2008 at 01:28 AM
I don't understand how you compare Mir beating Brock to Brock losing to Couture becuase you feel that Couture can beat Mir.
Mir and Couture have never fought and a healthy Mir is scary.
I love Couture. He's a legend, but a focused and determined Brock Lesner is going to over power him and dismantle him...and everyone else until Dana goes for the fight everyone wants:
UFC 126: Lesner/Fedor- free and live on SPIKE!
Posted By: The Spook (Guest) on October 23, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Dustin,
How close to the "bubble" do you see Shane Carwin?
Posted By: Guest#3828 (Guest) on October 23, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Kharitonov should be top 10, no question.
Posted By: The Hope (Guest) on October 23, 2008 at 06:00 PM
These were voted on before Shane Carwin's win at UFC 89. If we had seen that fight perhaps some of us would have thrown him on our lists.
He's definitely on my list now.
Posted By: Dustin James (Registered) on October 23, 2008 at 06:38 PM
