411's MMA Rankings 12.04.08: Lightweight
Posted by Dustin James on 12.04.2008
411's MMA rankings have officially expanded! Join the crew as we rank our top 15 lightweight fighters in MMA! Can anybody take the top spot from BJ Penn? 411's Dustin James gives you all the info inside......
Welcome back to your favorite set of MMA rankings currently running on this little thing some of us call "the porn machine" aka "the Internet". I'm in a good mood today seeing as my lady friend bought me a brand new 42' HD TV~! GO ME!!! She couldn't wait to give it to me until Christmas so I got a huge bonus there. I also bought myself a new lap top because my old trusty computer decided to take a shit on me this past weekend (which is the reason there was no "Ultimate Writer" this weekend on 411!). So ya, life is actually good over in Jamesville. Now, as for the MMA lightweight rankings, they are actually going to be put on hold this week. I have decided to use this time to write a 4-page essay on why I think Kimbo Slice could beat Brock Lesnar. So strap yourself in.......
......kidding of course.
Last Year At This Time:
1) Takanori Gomi
2) Hayato Sakurai
3) Gilbert Melendez
4) Tatsuya Kawajiri
5) BJ Penn
6) Vitor Ribeiro
7) Sean Sherk
8) Mitsuhiro Ishida
9) Joe Stevenson
10) Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante
Tyson Griffin, Frankie Edgar and Clay Guida were "On The Bubble"......
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 beat up one of Brock Lesnar's hands.....after it has been removed from his body of course.
411's Official MMA Rankings
Lightweight Division (155 lbs)
1) 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. Georges St. Pierre - UFC 94: St Pierre vs. Penn - January 31, 2008
2) Shinya Aoki (18-3)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: May 9, 1983
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Todd Moore - Win via submission (neck crank) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - September 23, 2008
- vs. Joachim Hansen - Loss via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Caol Uno - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Katsuhiko Nagata - Win via submission (gogoplata) - DREAM 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - June 15, 2008
- vs. Gesias Cavalcante - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round - April 29, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
-vs. Eddie Alvarez - K-1 Premium Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008 (Currently rumored!)
3) Eddie Alvarez (15-1)
Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Bellator Fighting Championship, Extreme Challenge
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Joachim Hansen - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3: Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008
- vs. Andre Amade - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM: Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008
- vs. Ross Ebanez - Win via TKO (punches) - ShoXC - Elite Challenger Series - January 25, 2008
- vs. Matt Lee - Win via decision (unanimous) - BodogFight: Alvarez vs. Lee - July 14, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - K-1 Premium Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008
4) Kenny Florian (11-3)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 26, 1976
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Joe Stevenson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Roger Huerta - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Joe Lauzon - Win via TKO (punches and elbows) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
- vs. Din Thomas - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC: Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007
- vs. Alvin Robinson - Win via submission (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
5) Gesias Cavalcante (14-2-1)
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 2: Middleweight Grand Prix Opening Round - April 29, 2008
- vs. Shinya Aoki - No Contest - DREAM: Heiwa 1 - March 15, 2008
- vs. Andre Amade - Win via submission (armbar) - K-1 HERO'S 10 - September 17, 2007
- vs. Vitor Ribeiro - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S 10 - September 17, 2007
- vs. Nam Phan - Win via TKO (strikes) - K-1 HERO'S Dynamite!! USA - June 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Joachim Hansen - K-1 Premium Dynamite!! New Year's Eve Show - December 31, 2008
6) Sean Sherk (33-3-1)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: August 5, 1973
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Tyson Griffin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- vs. BJ Penn - Loss via TKO (knees and punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Hermes Franca - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Kenny Florian - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
- vs. Nick Diaz - Win via decision - UFC 59: Reality Check - April 15, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
7) Takanori Gomi (29-4)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: September 22, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Sergey Golyaev - Loss via decision (split) - World Victory Road - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008
- vs. Seung Hwan Bang - Win via unanimous decision - World Victory Road - Sengoku 4 - August 24, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Satoru Kitaoka - Sengoku 7 - January 4, 2008
8) Josh Thomson (15-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: September 21, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ashe Bowman - Win via TKO - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion II - September 20, 2008
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson - June 27, 2008
- vs. Adam Lynn - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion - September 29, 2007
- vs. Nick Gonzalez - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni - June 22, 2007
- vs. Nam Phan - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Triple Threat - December 8, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
9) Gilbert Melendez (16-2)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: April 12, 1982
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Josh Thomson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson - June 27, 2008
- vs. Gabe Lemley - Win via TKO (punches) - Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Le - March 29, 2008
- vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida - Loss via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Tetsuji Kato - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Playboy Mansion - September 29, 2007
- vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri - Win via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
10) Joachim Hansen (19-7-1)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 26, 1979
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Kultar Gill - Win via submission (armbar) - DREAM 5 Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008
- vs. Kotetsu Boku - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 1 Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008
- vs. Kazuyuki Miyata - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - K-1 Premium 2007 Dynamite!! - December 31, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante - K-1 Premium Dynamite!! New Year's Eve Show - December 31, 2008
11) Tatsuya Kawajiri (22-5-2)
Height: 5'7
Birthday: May 8, 1978
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Loss via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5: Lightweight Grand Prix Final - July 21, 2008
- vs. Luiz Firmino - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 3 - Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008
- vs. Kultar Gill - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 1 - Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008
- vs. Luiz Azeredo - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Even 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
12) Mitsuhiro Ishida (17-4-1)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: December 29, 1978
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Justin Wilcox - Win via submission (arm bar) - Strikeforce - Playboy Mansion II - September 20, 2008
- vs. Caol Uno - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - DREAM 3: Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals - May 11, 2008
- vs. Bu Kyung Jung - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 1: Lightweight Grand Prix Opening Round - March 15, 2008
- vs. Gilbert Melendez - Win via decision (unanimous) - Yarennoka: New Year's Eve 2007 - December 31, 2007
- vs. Takanori Gomi - Loss via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE: Shockwave 2006 - December 31, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
13) Nate Diaz (10-2)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: April 16, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Josh Neer - Win via decision (split) - UFC Fight Night 15 - September 17, 2008
- vs. Kurt Pellegrino - Win via submission (triangle choke) - UFC Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
- vs. Alvin Robinson - Win via submission (triangle choke) - UFC Fight Night 12 - January 23, 2008
- vs. Junior Assuncao - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007
- vs. Manvel Gamburyan - Win via submission (shoulder injury) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale - June 23, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
14) Jamie Varner (15-2)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: December 10, 1984
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Marcus Hicks - Win via TKO (punches) - WEC 35 - August 3, 2008
- vs. Rob McCullough - Win via TKO (punches) - WEC 32 - February 13, 2008
- vs. Sherron Leggett - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 29 - August 5, 2007
- vs. Jason Gilliam - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 68: Uprising - February 3, 2007
- vs. Hermes Franca - Loss via submission (arm bar) - UFC 62: Liddell vs. Sobral - August 26, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Donald Cerrone - WEC 38 - January 25, 2009
15) Tyson Griffin (12-2)
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Sean Sherk - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- vs. Marcus Aurelio - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Gleison Tibau - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 81: Breaking Point - February 2, 2008
- vs. Thiago Tavares - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Clay Guida - Win via decision (split) - UFC 72: Victory - June 18, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighters who aren't quite in the top 15, but are close)
Joe Stevenson (29-9)
Height: 5'7
Birthday: June 15, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kenny Florian - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Gleison Tibau - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. BJ Penn - Loss via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Kurt Pellegrino - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Melvin Guillard - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC Fight Night 9 - April 5, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Frank Edgar (9-1)
Height: 5'6
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Hermes Franca - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC: Fight Night 14 - July 19, 2008
- vs. Gray Maynard - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
- vs. Spencer Fisher - Win via decision (uanimous) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Mark Bocek - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Tyson Griffin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 67: All or Nothing - February 3, 2007
What the hell does Nick Diaz have to do to make this list? He's only lost one in his last nine fights, and that was from a cut. And out of those eight wins, only two were decision. He beat Gomi too...even though he was high.
Posted By: Interesting (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Hansen at #10 is criminal. You picked Gomi and Melendez over him? Both fighters just lost their most recent fights.
Posted By: konron (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Completely justified, but still odd to see Nate above Griffin, Edgar, and Stevenson.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 01:20 AM
And again, despite remaining undefeated and defeating Rich Clementi and Frankie Edgar in his last two fights....Gray Maynard is completely unmentioned.
Posted By: AdamS (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 02:30 AM
*face meet palm* really?
Posted By: Guest#3747 (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 02:47 AM
No love for Roger Huerta?
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 09:10 AM
"What the hell does Nick Diaz have to do to make this list? He's only lost one in his last nine fights, and that was from a cut. And out of those eight wins, only two were decision. He beat Gomi too...even though he was high."
Well.. Maybe fight someone with skills?
Thomas "Wildman" Denny isn't exactly a top notch fighter
Posted By: saer (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Frankie Edgar is Fighting at the Benefit for the Troops card in December.
Posted By: Bigmatt0011 (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 01:21 PM
We need a new writer for the rankings column cuz Dustin James just ain't cutting it with his knowledge!! Nuff Said
Posted By: Bustanut (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:50 PM
This list is so Fucked up, it's just too easy to rip on. The only thing that I and everyone else will agree on is BJ Penn at #1, everyone else doesn't matter.
Posted By: SuperPro (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Well.. Maybe fight someone with skills?
Oh, I'm sorry. I didnt know Gomi had no skills.
Posted By: interesting (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 09:00 PM
first off Gomi is so fucking over rated. second, Joe Daddy, Just faught in a Number 1 contender fight and hes not even in the top 15? are you guys out of your fucking minds? Why just because he lost to BJ(number 1) and Ken Flo(number 4)? Joe Daddy would Fucking smash everyone from Shrek Down. You guys really need some people to vote on these lists that know what the fuck there talking about, instead of dudes that just started watching MMA because the saw season 1 of the Ultimate Fighter.
Posted By: aweful list... (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 01:51 AM
