411's MMA Rankings 12.11.08: Light Heavyweight
Posted by Dustin James on 12.11.2008
It's time once again for the staff at 411mania to rank the best light heavyweight fighters in MMA! Can Forrest Griffin remain on top considering the amount of challengers in the division? Not if Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, or Rashad Evans have anything to say about it. 411's Dustin James gives you all the answers inside the latest edition of 411's MMA Rankings......
Welcome back to your favorite set of MMA rankings currently running on 411mania.com. As always my name is Dustin James and I will be your guide throughout this wonderful little adventure we call "the light heavyweight rankings". As you saw last week, we are officially doing a top 15 format from now on due to the amount of contenders in each weight class and the fact that we have had so many fighters "On the bubble" for over a year now, we might as well just give them a ranking so they can sleep better. The light heavyweight division is one division that is a great example of this. Surrrrrre the top 10 fighters in the division are currently fighting with the UFC...so then who's the best light heavyweight NOT fighting in the UFC? Now you will know and I'm sure you will sleep better as well.
One thing you should note is that these rankings will probably change BIG TIME by the next time we rank this division. The majority of the fighters here are fighting by the end of January 2009. It will be fun next time for sure and I'm sure you will be here with me.......
OK, now let's get down to business.....
Last year at this time: Who was on top of this division at this time last year?
1. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
2. Dan Henderson
3. Wanderlei Silva
4. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
5. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
6. Chuck Liddell
7. Forrest Griffin
8. Keith Jardine
9. Rashad Evans
10. Thiago Silva
Tito Ortiz, Lyoto Machida, Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira 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. 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....
411's Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) 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:
- vs. Rashad Evans - UFC 92 "Ultimate 2008" - December 27, 2008
2) Quinton Jackson (28-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - UFC 92 "Ultimate 2008" - December 27, 2008
3) 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 94 "St. Pierre vs. Penn" - January 31, 2009
4) Rashad Evans (12-0-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- vs. Michael Bisping - Win via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Sean Salmon - Win via KO (high kick) - UFC Fight Night 8 - January 25, 2007
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via KO (punches from mount) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - UFC 92 "Ultimate 2008" - December 27, 2008
5) Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: July 3, 1976
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Keith Jardine - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via KO (left hook) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Mirko Cro Cop - Loss via KO (head kick) - PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute - September 10, 2006
- vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE - Critical Countdown Absolute - July 1, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Quinton Jackson - UFC 92 "Ultimate 2008" - December 27, 2008
6) Thiago Silva (13-0)
Height: 6'1
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Antonio Mendes - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Houston Alexander - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Tomasz Drwal - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. James Irvin - Win via TKO (knee injury) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Tatsuya Mizuno - Win via KO (soccer kick) - Pancrase - Rising 2 - February 28, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - UFC 94 "St. Pierre vs. Penn" - January 31, 2009
7) 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:
- vs. Mark Coleman - UFC 93 "Henderson vs. Franklin" - January 17, 2009
8) Keith Jardine (14-4-1)
Height: 6'2
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brandon Vera - Win via decision (split) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Win by decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Houston Alexander - Loss by KO (punches) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win by TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
9) Chuck Liddell (21-6)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: December 17, 1969
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rashad Evans - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. Keith Jardine - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Quinton Jackson - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Tito Ortiz - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
10) Luis Cane (9-1)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: February 4, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Jason Lambert - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. James Irvin - Loss via DQ (knee to the head on the ground) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. James Damien Stelly - Win via KO (knee) - Art Of War 3 - September 1, 2007
- vs. Wagner Ribeiro - Win via submission - Minotauro Fights 5 - December 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
11) Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (15-3)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: June 2, 1976
Currently Fighting With: Affliction, World Victory Road
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Moise Rimbon - Win via decision (unanimous) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008
- vs. Edwin Dewees - Win via TKO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Todd Gouwenberg - Win via TKO - HCF - Destiny - February 1, 2008
- vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou - Loss via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE 33: The Second Coming - February 24, 2007
- vs. Alistair Overeem - Win via TKO (strikes) - PRIDE Critical Countdown Absolute - July 7, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Vladimir Matyushenko - Affliction "Day Of Reckoning" - January 24, 2009
12) 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. Dan Henderson - UFC 93 "Henderson vs. Franklin" - January 17, 2009
13) Vladimir Matyushenko (21-3)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: January 4, 1971
Currently Fighting With: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jamal Patterson - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL: New Jersey - April 4, 2008
- vs. Alex Schoenauer - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - World Grand Prix Semifinals - November 3, 2007
- vs. Tim Boetsch - Win via decision (unanimous) - IFL - 2007 Semifinals - August 2, 2007
- vs. Aaron Stark - Win via TKO (punches) - IFL - Everett - June 1, 2007
- vs. Justin Levens - Win via TKO (strikes) - IFL - Los Angeles - March 17, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - Affliction "Day Of Reckoning" - January 24, 2009
14) Tito Ortiz (15-6-1)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: January 23, 1975
Currently Fighting With: Free Agent
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Lyoto Machida - Loss via Decision (unanimous) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Rashad Evans - Draw - UFC 73: Stacked - July 7, 2007
- vs. Chuck Liddell - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2 - December 30, 2006
- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (punches) - Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter - October 10, 2006
- vs. Ken Shamrock - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 61: Bitter Rivals - July 8, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
15) Renato "Babalu" Sobral (31-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: July 9, 1975
Currently Fighting With: Affliction, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
-vs. Bobby Southworth - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage due to a cut) - Strikeforce: Destruction - November 21, 2008
- vs. Mike Whitehead - Win via decision (unanimous) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. Rodney Glunder - Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) - PFP: Ring of Fire - December 9, 2007
- vs. David Heath - Win via submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Jason Lambert - Loss via KO (punch) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
-vs. To Be Announced - Affliction "Day Of Reckoning" - January 24, 2009
I know how good he was and still can be, but there's no reason for someone with 1 win in their last 4 fights to be ranked in the top 5.
If Wandi beats Jackson (again), then he'll deserve top 5, until then, I'd place him as #7 with Rua as #5 and Thiago remaining in #6....
I would also move Babalu up to #10.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on December 10, 2008 at 11:16 PM
I like the fifteen better than ten. Gets rid of a half a dozen fighters "on the bubble"
Posted By: Adam (Guest) on December 11, 2008 at 12:13 AM
hey Dustin James, Remember a few months ago when i said Babalu should be ranked higher and your response was"lol at the guy who said Babalu should be in the top ten" how do you feel now that he is the Light heavey weight champ in strikeforce and every big name fighter not in the ufc is ducking him. I bet you feel stupid, and if you dont then you should cause i dont write on a website like you and i can call it better then you.. like i said i should have your job so you could get this shit right. Good Job NOOb keep watching from TUF 1 on.
Posted By: i should have your job (Guest) on December 11, 2008 at 01:55 AM
Why do so many websites with MMA rankings put so much stock in being undefeated/beating cans over fighting (win or lose) actually relevant opponents?
Thiago Silva's solid, but I don't see how he's number six--ahead of Jardine and Liddell. What's his biggest win? James Irvin? There's no way he should be that high. The same people who ranked him there probably thought Yoshida (coming off an impressive performance against the unbeatable, legendary, Fedor-esque 'War Machine') would tool Koscheck. And look how that turned out.
Posted By: Pwnage (Guest) on December 11, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Seems kinda low for Rich Franklin don't it?
Posted By: dee76 (Guest) on December 11, 2008 at 09:37 AM
"Seems kinda low for Rich Franklin don't it?"
When the Matt Hamill fight is the first fight he's had at 205 in years, not really.
"how do you feel now that he is the Light heavey weight champ in strikeforce"
LOL Bobby Southworth
Posted By: Tonley (Registered) on December 11, 2008 at 02:27 PM
This list is really badly made. Why the hell is shogun on this? He hasn't fought in a year.
Posted By: why (Guest) on December 14, 2008 at 12:42 AM
