411's MMA Rankings 02.10.09: Pound For Pound
Posted by Dustin James on 02.10.2009
It's the closest voting in 411 MMA Rankings history! Who's the best pound for pound fighter in MMA? Can Georges St. Pierre finally take the top spot? What about Fedor Emelianenko? Is Anderson Silva still the reigning pound for pound king? 411's Dustin James gives you all the juicy details inside.....
Welcome back to the only MMA rankings on 411mania.com that you know you die in anticipation for each and every week! You're very lucky you clicked on these rankings this week. Why? Because this time we are ranking the best POUND FOR POUND fighters in MMA! Let me tell you....this is the closest voting I have seen in any weight division since I have been here at 411. The vote for the best p4p fighter in the world was an extremely close race between Fedor Emelianenko, Georges St. Pierre, and Anderson Silva. All of these men are deserving of the title, but who got it?
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of waiting......
LET'S GET IT ON!
Last year at this time:
1. Anderson Silva
2. Georges St. Pierre
3. Fedor Emelianenko
4. BJ Penn
5. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
6. Dan Henderson
7. Urijah Faber
8. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria
9. Randy Couture
10. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto
Matt Lindland, Takanori Gomi, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Gilbert Melendez, and Lyoto Machida were all "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 that honestly probably wouldn't be all that hard anyway.....
411's MMA Rankings
Pound For Pound
1) Fedor Emelianenko (29-1)
Height: 6'0
Currently fighting with: Affliction
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Andrei Arlovski - Win via KO (punch) - Affliction: Day Of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
2) Georges St. Pierre (18-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 19, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. BJ Penn - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 94: St Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- vs. Jon Fitch - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Matt Serra - Win via TKO (knees to body) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via verbal submission (arm bar) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
3) 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
4) Miguel Torres (35-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: January 18, 1981
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 Fights:
- vs. Manny Tapia - Win via TKO (punches and elbows) - WEC 37 - Torres vs. Tapia - December 3, 2008
- vs. Yoshiro Maeda - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) - WEC 34: Sacramento - June 1, 2008
- vs. Chase Beebe - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 32: Albuquerque - February 13, 2008
- vs. Jeff Bedard - Win via submission (triangle choke) - WEC 30: Las Vegas - September 5, 2007
- vs. Darius Turcinskas - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - IMMAC 2: Attack - April 21, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
-vs. Brian Bowles - WEC 40: Torres vs. Bowles - April 5, 2009
5) Lyoto Machida (14-0)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: May 3, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Thiago Silva - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
6) B.J. Penn (13-5-1)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: December 13, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
7) Urijah Faber (22-2)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: May 14, 1979
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 Fights:
- vs. Jens Pulver - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 38: Varner vs. Cerrone - January 25, 2009
- vs. Mike Brown - Loss via TKO (punches) - WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown - November 5, 2008
- vs. Jens Pulver - Win via decision (unanimous) - WEC 34: Sacramento - June 1, 2008
- vs. Jeff Curran - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 31 - Faber vs. Curran - December 12, 2007
- vs. Chance Farrar - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 28 - WrekCage - June 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Wagnney Fabiano - WEC 40: Torres vs. Bowles - April 5, 2009 (Currently rumored)
8) Rashad Evans (13-0-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Forrest Griffin - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
9) Quinton Jackson (29-7)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Wanderlei Silva - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Keith Jardine - UFC 96: Jardine vs. Jackson - March 7, 2009
10) Shinya Aoki (19-3)
Height: 5'11
Weight: Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Win via submission (heel hook) - FEG FieLDS Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008
- vs. Todd Moore - Win via submission (neck crank) - DREAM 6 - September 23, 2008
- vs. Joachim Hansen - Loss via TKO (punches) - DREAM 5 - July 21, 2008
- vs. Caol Uno - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 5 - July 21, 2008
- vs. Katsuhiko Nagata - Win via submission (gogoplata) - DREAM 4 - June 15, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
11) 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:
- Currently unknown
12) Jon Fitch (18-3)
Height: 6'0
Weight: 170
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 - January 31, 2009
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek and Destroy - August 9. 2008
- vs. Chris Wilson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 82: Pride of a Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Roan Carneiro - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC Fight Night 10 - June 12, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
13) Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1)
Height: 6'3
Weight: 231
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Frank Mir - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
14) Dan Henderson (24-7)
Height: 6'1
Weight: 183
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 (punches) - PRIDE 33: Second Coming - February 24, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Michael Bisping - Coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter"
15) Forrest Griffin (16-5)
Height: 6'3
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Rashad Evans - Loss via TKO (punches) - UFC 92: Ultimate 2008 - December 27, 2008
- 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
Silva is and will always be #1 to me, no one can touch him.
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:14 AM
I imagine a lot of backlash will be coming up soon due to the placing of Fedor at number 1, but I would just like to say I agree with you guys.
Non of the other people in this list have defeated over a sustained period of time anything like as many top 10 fighters. By my reckoning Fedor has probably faced 6 or 7 of the best heavyweights of the last 10 years - and beat them all.
Posted By: Ste (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:28 AM
My personal feeling is that St. Pierre should be #1 as neither Silva or Fedor have dominated anyone ranked as high as BJ Penn is on the P4P list.
Posted By: BC (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:36 AM
How does "Big Nog" get ranked over Frank Mir who absolutely destroyed him in their recent fight along with submitting Brock Lesnar?
Posted By: Dusty (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Good list. I think i would switch silva and gsp(even though gsp is my favourite fighter) And i would have rashad a little higher. Still overall a very good list.
Posted By: mark19 (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:49 AM
Where is the UFC Heavyweight Champ? I know Brock is not Fedor (yet) but he does have a pinfall victory over RVD. And that has to count for something.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:52 AM
i though P4P meant that they would beat anyone in the cage with them, reguardless of weight class.
Posted By: cbizzle (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 01:14 AM
The only person on this list that I completely disagree with is BJ Penn. People keep talking about how much potential he has and all, but he hasn't done enough to warrant being on this list.
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 05:58 AM
FINALLY 411 gets it right!
Posted By: Guest#5329 (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Ian "the machine" freeman would destroy fedor even today
Posted By: Guest#1287 (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 10:07 AM
"My personal feeling is that St. Pierre should be #1 as neither Silva or Fedor have dominated anyone ranked as high as BJ Penn is on the P4P list.
Posted By: BC (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:36 AM"
_____________________________________
...maybe not recently, but they each have in the past- and neither of them has lost in the past 2 years.
Also, not to take anything away from GSP's decimation of Penn, but Penn doesn't have a good record at 170 (2-3) and 4 of his 5 losses were when he was heavier then his natural weight of 155.
Silva is running into the same problem that Fedor has- a severe lack of competition. With each win he clears out his division a little more and the quality of his opponents drops (or does anyone actually give Leites a chance?). As a result, he slowly moves down the list since he hasn't fought anyone of consequence... even though there's nobody left for him to fight. Even looking down the road- he's already beaten Hendo once (even if he did lose the first round) and I find it hard to consider Bisping a top quality contender. GSP would be a big fight, but with Silva's serious size and strength advantage, I don't see how GSP could honestly be considered a threat... sadly, right now at 185, not many would be- and none in the UFC are.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM
How can you not think Fedor should be above Silva? For one, Fedor has fought more recently, against more legit competition. Silva has beat Cote and Irvin while Fedor has beat 2 former UFC champions, in a very convincing fashion(before you go off about how Arlovski was winning before Fedor shattered his glass jaw, it is well known, and Fedor said before the fight, that he waits for people to make mistakes).
No matter which way you look at it, Fedor is better. He has a better record, has faced better competition and has been dominant for a long, long time. He has beaten pretty much any heavyweight that has a credible name, besides Lesnar and Couture, and it's pretty obvious he'd beat both of them too.
Posted By: Shawno420 (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Shinya Aoki should be #1 look at how many times he fights, not like these chumps that fight 1-2 times a year.
Posted By: Guest#1508 (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 01:05 PM
While i think that Silva should be number 1, Fedor does deserve the number 1 spot, and GSP deserves to be number 2, just because of both of their last fights. However, i think that Silva is way better than both men, at this point in his career. My only complaint about this list is how low Rashad Evans is.
Posted By: Jordan (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 03:26 PM
"i though P4P meant that they would beat anyone in the cage with them, reguardless of weight class."
I though that it was more the other way (and therefore really hard to quantify). How "dangerous" a fighter is divided by his weight. So, if GSP would loose a very close fight to Anderson Silva, he could be considered the best P4P as he is a lighter fighter.
Posted By: DrT (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Fact: Fedor is smiling in that picture because an Ice Cream truck is passing by. And Fedor loves his ice cream. Just do an image search for Fedor and you know it to be true.
Posted By: BK (Guest) on February 10, 2009 at 05:57 PM
STILL NO LESNAR? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Posted By: wwe mark (Guest) on February 13, 2009 at 12:32 AM
