411's MMA Rankings 01.27.09: Middleweight Division
Posted by Dustin James on 01.27.2009
It's time again for the staff at 411mania to rank the best middleweight fighters in MMA! Who is the top challenger to Anderson Silva's throne? Is it Dan Henderson? He just earned a huge win over Rich Franklin at UFC 93. What about Yushin Okami? He is on a hot streak. Oh, and you can't forget about the fallout from the Vitor Belfort/Matt Lindland fight at Affliction "Day Of Reckoning". Do either one of them crack the list? Join 411's Dustin James as he gives you all the answers inside.....
Welcome back to your favorite set of MMA rankings....currently running on Tuesdays! That's right, it's time once again for the crack staff of MMA experts here at 411mania to rank the top 15 middleweight fighters in MMA. It's no surprise that Anderson Silva has the top spot once again (like he has since I started these things over a year ago!), but who do we consider to be his top challengers? Dan Henderson just had a very impressive win against Rich Franklin and he could be the UFC's #1 contender. What about Yushin Okami? He just beat Dean Lister and sent him right out of the UFC...not to mention that Dana White has already guaranteed that Okami will get a title shot soon. But where does he stand in the rankings now? And what about the fallout from Affliction's "Day Of Reckoning"? We saw Vitor Belfort knock Matt Lindland's block off, so where do those two stand in the rankings now? So many questions......so little time......
SO LET'S DO IT!
But first......
Shameless Plug:
In case you missed it, "The Ultimate Writer" is now running on Monday's here on 411mania. Go ahead and give it a read, I promise you won't leave disappointed.
Last year at this time:
1. Anderson Silva
2. Paulo Filho
3. Dan Henderson
4. Matt Lindland
5. Rich Franklin
6. Yushin Okami
7. Robbie Lawler
8. Denis Kang
9. Nate Marquardt
10. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Cung Le, Frank Trigg, Kazuo Misaki, and Martin Kampmann 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: Middleweight Division
Middleweight Division (185 pounds)
1) Anderson Silva (23-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: April 14, 1975
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Patrick Cote - Win via TKO (injured knee) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thales Leites - UFC 97 "Silva vs. Leites" - April 18, 2009
2) Dan Henderson (24-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: August 24, 1970
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rich Franklin - Win via decision (split) - UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson - January 17, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Michael Bisping - Summer 2009
3) Yushin Okami (23-4)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: July 21, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dean Lister - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
4) Robbie Lawler (16-4)
Height: 5'11
Currently Fighting With: Free Agent (still under contract with the now-defunct 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:
- Currently unknown
5) Gegard Mousasi (24-2-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza - Win via KO (upkick) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Melvin Manhoef - Win via submission (triangle choke) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
6) 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. Wilson Gouveia - UFC 95 "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" - February 21, 2009
7) Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: July 29, 1975
Currently Fighting With: Free Agent
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Masanori Tonooka - Win via submission (arm bar) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
8) Thales Leites (14-1)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: September 6, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Drew McFedries - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Anderson Silva - UFC 97 "Silva vs. Leites" - April 18, 2009
9) Jorge Santiago (21-7)
Height: 6'1
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Kazuo Misaki - Win via technical submission (rear-naked choke) - Sengoku 7: no Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009
- vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - Win via TKO (punches) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008
- vs. Siyar Bahadurzada - Win via submission (heel hook) - Sengoku 6 - November 1, 2008
- vs. Logan Clark - Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Sengoku 5 - September 28, 2008
- vs. Yuki Sasaki - Win via submission (armbar) - Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
10) Kazuo Misaki (21-9-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: April 25, 1976
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jorge Santiago - Loss via technical submission (rear-naked choke) - Sengoku 7: no Ran 2009 - January 4, 2009
- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via TKO (punches) - Strikeforce "Playboy Mansion II" - September 20, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
11) Vitor Belfort (18-8)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: January 4, 1977
Currently Fighting With: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Lindland - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Day Of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Terry Martin - Win via KO (punches) - Affliction: Banned - July 19, 2008
- vs. James Zikic - Win via decision (unanimous) - Cage Rage 23 - September 22, 2007
- vs. Ivan Serati - Win via TKO (punces) - Cage Rage 21 - April 21, 2007
- vs. Dan Henderson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - PRIDE 32: The Real Deal - October 21, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
12) Michael Bisping (17-1)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: February 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Chris Leben - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Jason Day - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Charles McCarthy - Win via TKO (arm injury) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Rashad Evans - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Matt Hamill - Win via decision (split) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Dan Henderson - Summer 2009
13) Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (10-2)
Height: 6'0
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Gegard Mousasi - Loss via KO (upkick) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Zelg Galesic - Win via submission (arm bar) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 - September 23, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
14) Frank Trigg (18-6)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: May 7, 1972
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Falaniko Vitale - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce "Payback" - October 3, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
15) Demian Maia (9-0)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: November 6, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nate Quarry - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar - November 15, 2008
- vs. Jason MacDonald - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Ed Herman - Win via technical submission (triangle choke) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Ryan Jensen - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 77: Hostile Territory - October 20, 2007
- vs. Ryan Stout - Win via TKO (injury) - GFC: Evolution - May 19, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
-vs. Chael Sonnen - UFC 95 "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" - February 21, 2009
After his recent decimation of 'the Law' (and overall great performances since he's dropped weight classes), Victor deserves to be much higher on the list... that is - until/ unless he chokes again.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on January 26, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Demian Maia below Trigg........... wow that is not even funny, what worth while opponent has frank beat in a couple of years. personlly even after that, I feel maia should be ranked top ten atleast.
Posted By: TJ (Guest) on January 26, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Who has Trigg beat that's worth while?
Kazuo Misaki, Jason Miller, Makoto Takimoto, as well as Falaniko Vitale.
Posted By: sprawlandbrawl (Guest) on January 27, 2009 at 02:02 AM
Okami's next fight is Anderson Silva.
Posted By: Bigmatt0011 (Guest) on January 27, 2009 at 05:51 AM
Vitor Belfort 11? Really ?
considering he knocked out Linland and some if not most consider him the #1 in his division if not an easy 2 !
Posted By: WTF ! (Guest) on January 27, 2009 at 10:45 AM
And how has Maia EVER beaten that would be considered "worthwhile"? Jason MacDonald? Ed Herman? Nate Quarry? Try again, bud.
Posted By: To TJ (Guest) on January 27, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I think there is big flaw with the MMA rankings in all divisions. Guys fight just a few times a year and I feel that a lot of the guys are ranked based on past performances and reputation. A huge win should just catapult a guy up the rankings, not just a few positions.
As much as I respect him, Dan Henderson is ranked too high. His win over Rich Franklin was at LHW so is he really the second best Middleweight in the world?
As much as people like to hate Bisping, he went 3 rounds and lost a close decision to Rashad Evans, the LHW Champ who KTFO'ed Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. He should be higher than Lawler, Leites, Akiyama and Santiago.
Anyways there are other examples of this logic in the rankings, but in a nutshell, some veterans or champs of defunct organizations are getting way too much credit.
Posted By: Diavo (Guest) on January 27, 2009 at 12:03 PM
