Sunday, June 8, 2008

Updated Division Rankings

This is a quickie. I realized I hadn't updated my division rankings since my first post almost two months ago so here is my revised list:

Heavyweight:

1. Antonio Rodrigo Minotauro Nogeuira: Still the UFC champion and until someone proves they can knock him off (Frank Mir gets the next shot) he is number one right now.

2. Fedor Emelianenko: Lack of quality opposition has knocked "The Last Emporer" down my list but he has a chance to prove that he's still the best at the Affliction card on July 19th against Tim Sylvia.

3. Fabricio Werdum: Looked really good against a very game Brandon Vera yesterday. Has a complete game and is becoming more aggressive now that he trains with Chute Boxe. Should be next in line at a UFC title shot if he keeps winning.

4. Andrei Arlovski: On a three fight tear (actually beating Werdum, but Werdum has changed drastically since this loss which was his first fight in the UFC). He will have a huge test against Ben Rothwell at the Affliction card.

5. Josh Barnett: On a two fight win streak. He looks to be a player again in the heavyweight division if he can beat Pedro Rizzo also at the Affliction card.

* Gabriel Gonzaga falls out of the picture after losing two fights in a row and Arlovski and Barnett pull off big wins. Couture also falls out due to inactivity.

Light Heavyweight:

1. Quinton Rampage Jackson: No other choice here. UFC champion and on a 6 fight win streak.

2. Lyoto Machida: Coming off a big victory over Tito Ortiz he is still undefeated. He appears to be next in line for a UFC title shot after Forrest Griffin.

3. Forrest Griffin: Coming off a huge win over Mauricio Shogun Rua (even though Shogun wasn't 100%) put him in place for a UFC title shot. I don't think he's better than Machida but he does deserve a shot considering how long he's been around the sport and has been a consistent fighter at 205.

4. Chuck Liddell: The Iceman could've proved that he also deserves to be talked about for a title shot had his fight against Shogun taken place yesterday but now he falls behind Machida as Liddell probably won't fight again until September in Atlanta.

5. Dan Henderson: Has not made a huge impact on the UFC losing to Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva. However, Henderson is an incredibly tough opponent and right now he's looking to climb back into the mix at 205 where he has more competition.

* Jardine falls out after his crushing defeat to Wanderlei Silva.

Middleweights:

1. Anderson Silva: Number one fighter in the world and UFC champion, need I say more?

2. Rich Franklin: Comes off a big win over Travis Lutter but where does he go from here after losing to Silva twice already?

3. Paulo Filho: Coming out of rehab he has to beat Chael Sonnen to prove he still belongs in the top five but due to his personal issues I'll give him the benefit of the doubt especially being the WEC champ.

4. Robbie Lawler: Looked very good against Scott Smith a week ago. I'm not sure he'd beat any of the top 3 but considering he still holds the EliteXC title he is definitely a top 5 fighter.

5. Yushin Okami: On a two fight win streak and is probably next in line at a title shot against Anderson Silva.

* Dan Henderson falls out after being moved to the Light Heavyweight rankings.

Welterweights:

1. Georges St. Pierre: Next to Anderson Silva he is one of the best fighters in the world. He holds the UFC title and looks like he won't be letting it go for a long time. He will be tested by Jon Fitch in August.

2. Jon Fitch: Incredibly strong grappler and has a good all around game. He is undefeated in the UFC and is looking to grab the title from GSP.

3. Thiago Alves: Absolutely steamrolled through Matt Hughes yesterday and looks to be next in line for a UFC title shot.

4. Josh Koscheck: Very strong wrestler who is developing a strong all around game. Looks like a future contender in the division.

5. Jake Shields: Has run into some injury problems recently but is a great grappler and holds the EliteXC title.

*Carlos Condit falls out with Alves moving up and learning that Shields beat Condit previously.

Lightweight and below:

1. BJ Penn (155): Looked dominant in his UFC title defense against Sean Sherk. I think he has some interesting fights to take at 155 before fighting GSP.

2. Urijah Faber (145): Looked great in his title defense last weak against Jens Pulver. Solidified himself as a top P4P fighter and the face of the WEC and featherweight division.

3. Miguel Torres (135): He also put on quite a show defending his WEC title last week. Also a top P4P fighter.

4. Takanori Gomi (155): Looks to be World Victory Road's next lightweight champion but after the emergence of Faber and Torres he takes a back seat until one of them takes a fall.

5. Shinya Aoki (155): Proved his top 5 status by beating top light weight Gesias Cavalcante at DREAM 2.

* Ishida falls behind Aoki due to his recent loss to Caol Uno in DREAM

I'll try to keep on top this on a monthly basis. Stay tuned for my P4P rankings which should be coming soon. Until then...

Soccer kicks and head stomps

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