USAT/SBN April 2011 MMA Consensus Rankings: Lightweight

by Richard Wade on Apr 29, 2011 1:56 PM EDT in MMA Rankings

Rank	Fighter	%	Promotion	Last Rank
1	Frankie Edgar	99	UFC	1
2	Gray Maynard	94	UFC	2
3	Gilbert Melendez	93	Strikeforce	3
4	Shinya Aoki	83	Strikeforce	4
5	Eddie Alvarez	80	Bellator	6
6	Jim Miller	76	UFC	5
7	Kenny Florian	71	UFC	7
8	Tatsuya Kawajiri	56	Strikeforce	8
9	Anthony Pettis	51	UFC	10
10	Sean Sherk	50	UFC	9
11	Melvin Guillard	47	UFC	11
12	B.J. Penn	39	UFC	15
13	Clay Guida	34	UFC	12
14	George Sotiropoulos	29	UFC	13
15	Dennis Siver	27	UFC	14
16	Takanori Gomi	24	UFC	16
17	Evan Dunham	21	UFC	17
18	Ben Henderson	19	UFC	18
19	Josh Thomson	18	K-1	20
20	Nik Lentz	17	UFC	23
21	Mac Danzig	16	UFC	21
21	Jadamba Narantungalag	16	WVR	25
23	Satoru Kitaoka	15	DEEP	25
23	Jorge Masvidal	15	Strikeforce	29
25	Gleison Tibau	15	UFC	19

The highly anticipated third meeting between #1 Frankie Edgar and #2 Gray Maynard is almost upon us with UFC 130 less than a month away.

#3 Gilbert Melendez may have climbed as high in the rankings as he can on his own after his demolition of #8 Tatsuya Kawajiri failed to nudge him ahead of Maynard.

We're still waiting for #9 Anthony Pettis to make his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale against #13 Clay Guida.

#15 Dennis Siver's thrashing of #14 George Sotiropoulos apparently still isn't enough to move ahead of G-Sot even with another month of reflection.

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. 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

It’s like I said: Gil isn’t going any higher until he beats someone ranked above him.

When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
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by Derek Suboticki on Apr 29, 2011 3:22 AM EDT reply actions

And somehow Leland still has Jim Miller outside the top ten.

Just Blog Guy - http://JustBlogGuy.wordpress.com/

by JustBlogGuy on Apr 29, 2011 8:05 AM EDT reply actions

Somehow? Who did Jim Miller beat to warrant a top 10 ranking? In my world, streaks don’t count for anything. It’s who you beat. And beating Charles Oliveira and Kamal Shalorus in your last two fights isn’t cutting it for me.

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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Apr 29, 2011 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

This is why I like Leland.

Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten

by Richard Wade on Apr 29, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I have to applaud Leland for actually ranking Pettis that low, but why no love for Dennis Siver?

"I knew I hurt him cause when I throw the elbow he went ugghh" - GSP

by Baby Wads on Apr 29, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

My guess is he forgot to update.

Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten

by Richard Wade on Apr 29, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

truth

jim miller is a ball of potential, potential doesnt get you top 10, it gets you a fight with someone in the top 10. i do feel bj is getting a little snubbed though. i understand he doesnt fight at LW anymore… but if he’s gonna get listed are we really gonna put kenny florian above him?

Jonny Bench called.

by Sterling Archer on Apr 29, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

People who rank Penn at LW are ranking him ahead of Florian.

Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten

by Richard Wade on Apr 29, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Sotiropolis’ two best wins are Pellegrino and Joe Daddy, both of whom just lost to guys that Miller has beaten decisively (weren’t his best wins either) and just lost to a guy that wasn’t ranked in the top 25 before the fight. From top to bottom, Miller’s best opponent is better than G-Sot’s best, his second best is better than G-Sot’s second best, etc., and it becomes even more lopsided at the lower end where G-Sot built half his resume on cut fighters. Also, Miller’s not coming off a loss as a heavy favorite. You honestly look at George’s record and think it compares favorably to Miller’s?

Just Blog Guy - http://JustBlogGuy.wordpress.com/

by JustBlogGuy on Apr 30, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Where in the devil is Mark Bocek. This is insanity.

"Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth."
Chris McCandless A.K.A. Alexander Supertramp
1968-1992

by T.C. Engel on Apr 29, 2011 1:48 PM EDT reply actions

Poor Eddie Alvarez

No good fights on his little island.

www.hottopicwithphil.com

by Worldisart on Apr 29, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, nobody wants to see Patricky Freire vs. Eddie Alvarez. Can’t see that fight being any good, considering the rankings.

by smoogy2 on Apr 30, 2011 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

11. (tie) Bank stanchion
11. (tie) Melvin Guillard

by JAYGK95 on Apr 29, 2011 3:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I don't get it.

by gzl5000 on Apr 30, 2011 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions

http://forums.mmajunkie.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=218&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

“It all starts with this seemingly insignificant comment

joerogansvnecktee [Unregistered] on Mar 04, 2008 at 12:31 am ET
“Iâ??d rob a bank or some [expletive deleted].” The problem is Melvin would run into the bank,trip and fall and end up getting tangled in the stanchion. Then the stanchion would take his back and force him to tap. "