USAT/SBN March MMA Consensus Rankings: Light Heavyweight

by Kid Nate on Mar 25, 2009 8:27 PM EDT in Rankings Comment 40 comments

Rank	Fighter	%	Promotion	Last Rank
1	Rashad Evans	99	UFC	1
2	Quinton Jackson	94	UFC	2
3	Lyoto Machida	92	UFC	3
4	Forrest Griffin	89	UFC	4
5	Chuck Liddell	77	UFC	5
6	Wanderlei Silva	71	UFC	6
7	Keith Jardine	64	UFC	7
8	Mauricio Rua	60	UFC	8
9	Antonio Rogerio Nogueira	53	Affliction	9
10	Renato Sobral	52	Strikeforce	11
11	Thiago Silva	49	UFC	10
12	Dan Henderson	42	UFC	12
13	Luis Cane	37	UFC	13
14	Rich Franklin	29	UFC	14
15	Tito Ortiz	25	UFC	15
16	Vladimir Matyushenko	21	Affliction	16
17	Brandon Vera	19	UFC	20
18	Matt Hamill	18	UFC	17
19	Steve Cantwell	16	UFC	18
20	Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou	15	Affliction	19
21	Rafael Cavalcante	15	Strikeforce	22
22	Jon Jones	14	UFC	30
23	Muhammed Lawal	13	WVR	23
23	Jared Hamman	13	Strikeforce	21
25	Jason Brilz	13	UFC	27

Rankings compiled by Richard.

The next major fight at Light Heavyweight will be #5 Chuck Liddell against #8 Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97 on April 18th. Its hard to believe that this fight - which would have pitted the clear #1 and #2 Light Heavies in the world just a couple of years ago - is very close to being a "loser leaves town" match. Liddell has gone 1-3 since 2007; Shogun is 1-1 since coming to the UFC and was very unimpresive in his win over Mark Coleman.

That's just an appetizer for the big fight at UFC 98 on May 23rd: #1 Rashad Evans against #3 Lyoto Machida for the UFC title. That bout will pit two undefeated fighters at the peak of their abilities against one another for the most important title in the sport. That's going to be a big fight and, barring some sort of Greasegate-squared disaster, the winner will be the absolute, uncontested #1 in this weight class.

UFC 99 will continue the betwixt and between weight classes odyssey of #14 Rich Franklin as he takes on #6 Wanderlei Silva in a 195lb catch weight fight. Silva is headed for middleweight but Franklin plans to stay at 205, so they're meeting in the middle.

The May Strikeforce card is expected to feature #10 Renato "Babalu" Sobral defending his Strikeforce title against an opponent to be determined. No word on what's next for #9 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and whether or not he'll fight on the third Afflicton card or return to WVR's Sengoku.

Based on the premise that all MMA rankings are subjective but that it’s still useful and informative to know who the online MMA community as a whole ranks as the best fighters in MMA, we collect and average the rankings of the top MMA websites to produce our consensus rankings.Show more »

We compile the top MMA rankings from each of our sources and award 25 points for a first place ranking, 16 for a 10th place ranking, 1 for a 25th place ranking. A formula is used to “normalize” the data so all fighters are awarded points from those lists that do not include a full 25 fighters. This formula ensures that each ranking site awards the same number of total points regardless of how many fighters they choose to rank. Each fighter’s total is divided by the number of possible points to determine their standing in the Consensus Rankings.

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Comments

doesn't anyone want to complain

about the light heavy rankings this month?

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Mar 25, 2009 9:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hush.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

These rankings are immoral! How dare you dilute the integrity of the sport!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’re immoral. There. I said it.

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks?

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You’re welcome?

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn immoral administrati.

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that is French or something, lol

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The dreaded Administrati… Like the Illuminati, but instead of doing nefarious things behind the scenes, they just make it more difficult for anybody else to do anything. EVIL!

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 26, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to change the subject and talk about the fighters or anything, but…

Has anyone heard anything about when Cavalcante might be fighting?

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

From MMA Junkie:

In addition to the Lawler vs. Shields bout, Strikeforce has also confirmed the participation of light-heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Joey Villasenor, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in the upcoming event, though opponents for the fighters have not yet been announced.

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome. Thanks, not sure how I missed that.

I think Feijao is a guy to keep an eye on in the near future. To bad the EXC mess sidetracked these guys to an extent.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am a Chuck fan boy, same with Wandy. Neither is top 10. Call me anything you want. Come to my house and kill my dog. Neither is top 10. Shogun at 8 is just as funny.

I want Renato back in the UFC too.

by Riney on Mar 25, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree. I don’t think Liddell belongs at five, but I think he’s still a legit top ten.

by Richard Wade on Mar 25, 2009 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This division is a huge mess. #1 is clear 2,3,4 are up for debate and anyone below that is rated wrong to matter where they are rated.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Mar 25, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want Renato back in the UFC too.

me as well, sad to hear him talking about only fighting a few more times.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, meant as a reply

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hes happy making 3 times the amount he was getting paid in the UFC.
:)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Mar 25, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hopefully he will get Lil Nog, Tito and so on, rather than Southworth.

I have always thought Babalu was a little underrated by the masses.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 25, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, and he’s banned for life for holding a choke too long

by subo on Mar 25, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No he isnt. Dana said when he released him that he was open to his return.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 26, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I highly doubt he is getting 3x as much money as he would be making in the UFC.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 25, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that is what he said on Inside MMA. He was only making in the 40k range with UFC, if I remember correctly.

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 26, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One would have to think that given the time that has passed between his first contract and now that he’d be do for a raise.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 26, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was referring to making money, not getting paid. UFC is much better exposure.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 26, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The winner of Cane/Cantwell should be in the top ten.

by subo on Mar 25, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

only if cane wins..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 26, 2009 3:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Cane wins(which he will) then I could see him at 9 or 10 but no way is Cantwell top ten.

by The Legend on Mar 25, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah that bubble

is about to get popped. But Cantwell is young enough to be improving rapidly so don’t write him off.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Mar 25, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he wins, he’s 2-0 in the UFC at 22. I’ll be sold.

by subo on Mar 25, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it’s crazy how young this kid is. I don’t think he’s ready for Cane, but if he loses (which I think most of us would predict) it will probably be a good learning experience for Cantwell as well as provide ample motivation (like his loss to Stann).

by Estrada on Mar 26, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed with this. So good at 22, but Cane just brings bad intentions to every fight. Some guys fight to win, some guys fight to stop or be stopped. I get the feeling that Cane fights to inflict pain and punishment.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 26, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn’t meaning to say Cantwell will never be top ten, I just don’t think he will be right now. I think Cane is going to be a beast though.

by The Legend on Mar 25, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hopefully vera fights someone on this list next time..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 26, 2009 3:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel like Vera has basically been sent back to the starting line and has to build himself up all over again. Though i’d watch a Brandon Vera – Matt Hammil fight.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 26, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franklyin/Silva still bothers me

having it at a catch weight with both fighters moving to the division their opponent is fleeing, er leaving just seems predestined to not do a damn thing for either fighter nor the division they are joining. Just padding one guys win column and the others loss column.

by Razreshat on Mar 26, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

and their bank accounts

I think its a good fight for both guys. They’re both big draws who are in a bit of limbo. Franklin hasn’t established himself at 205 and Wandy is on his way to 185.
It keeps them in the limelight and doesn’t affect their future plans much either way. Unless Wandy destroys Franklin then he’ll be arriving at 185 in a big way.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Mar 26, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with this fight. It’s obviously good for the fighers in that they get a pay day and a tune up fight for their new weights. If they lose, it’s to another name guy, while in the process of transitioning weight classes, and unless they look BAD in the loss, they’ll likely get a pass from most people. And it’s just a fun fight, which means I can just sit back and enjoy without wondering how it will affect this, that or the other thing.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Mar 26, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think people have to stop expecting every fight to have a significant impact on the rankings.

I really don’t expect either Franklin or Wanderlei to compete for a belt at their new weight classes (or their old one’s for that matter) at any point in the near future. If the best fight for the UFC, and for Rich and Wandy is to fight each other, let them do it at whatever weight they feel comfortable at. They both are draws and they both deserve a few paydays while they can still get them.

by Phildo on Mar 27, 2009 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs