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411 MMA Rankings 02.02.16: Light Heavyweight Division
In developing this weeks list of the best light heavyweight fighters in 2016, Robert Practor and Robert Winfree were both struck by the dinginess of the 205-pound class. Gone are the days when you had fighters from the sports “prime” days like Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Quinton Jackson, Shogun Rua and others dominating and headlining cards across the globe. Now, Shogun and Rampage are hanging on. Chuck and Randy are long retired. Vitor Belfort is trying to stay clean and relevant at middleweight while Silva has taken an embracing turn due to a variety of issues in recent years.
Jon Jones has been the dominant force at 205 for years but his next fight will end up being his first since January 2015 due to his behavior outside the cage. There’s no doubt in my mind that whenever he does sign to return, he’ll immediately return to being the best fighter in the division and arguably the entire sport.
You look at this list of 15 fighters and you can argue at least 10, if not more, of them have absolutely no chance against Jones or even reigning UFC champion Daniel Cormier. This division is in dire need of an influx of talent and unfortunately it does not appear to be likely to happen anytime soon. What this means for us is a two-fight division (Jones vs. Cormier, then the winner fights Anthony Johnson). There is little chance Rashad Evans, Rampage Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson or Phil Davis break through the door and become legitimate and elite title contenders again.
Too bad for the 205-class, there’s no Conor McGregor waiting in the wings to save them.
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411’s MMA Ranking Rules
– Which fighters are eligible for these rankings? They must meet the following qualifications: fight at least once in the past 365 days or if they have not, be officially scheduled for an upcoming fight.
– A fighter serving a disciplinary suspension will not be ranked. They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded. This includes fighters who may disregard their suspension locally to fight overseas.
– If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points will be deducted to balance between other fighters who may be ranked lower, but appear on a greater amount of ballots.
– Want to complain about a fighter’s ranking in the comments section? Do so to your hearts desire and don’t hold anything back, our sensitivity died a death like Wanderlei Silva’s integrity.
411’s Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Daniel Cormier (17-1)
Birthday: March 20, 1979
Height: 5’9
Weight: 239
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson – October 3, 2015
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 187: Cormier vs. Johnson – May 23, 2015
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier – January 3, 2015
– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw – May 24, 2014
– vs. Patrick Cummins – Win via TKO (punches) – UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann – February 22, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
2) Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (21-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: March 6, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ryan Bader – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 30, 2016
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 – September 5, 2015
– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 187: Cormier vs. Johnson – May 23, 2015
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – July 26, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Rumble destroyed Bader quickly in the first round, gaining mount before ending the fight with a vicious barrage of strikes. When you look at the division as a whole, it certainly appears to be a three person group where Jon Jones, Cormier and Johnson are so much better than everyone else right now.
3) Alexander Gustafsson (16-4)
Height: 6’5
Birthday: January 15, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson – October 3, 2015
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa – March 8, 2014
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson – September 21, 2013
– vs. Shogun Rua – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz – December 8, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: While Gustafsson has not yet signed to return following his consecutive losses from last year, he has moved to the U.S. (temporarily at least) to train again at Alliance MMA in San Diego.
4) Ryan Bader (20-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 7, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 30, 2016
– vs. Rashad Evans – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson – October 3, 2015
– vs. Phil Davis – Win via decision (split) – UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux – August 16, 2014
– vs. Rafael Cavalcante – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov – June 14, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) Phil Davis (15-3, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: September 25, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Francis Carmon – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator: Dynamite 1 – September 19, 2015
– vs. Emanuel Newton – Win via submission (kimura) – Bellator: Dynamite 1 – September 19, 2015
– vs. Ryan Bader – Loss via decision (split) – UFC on FOX: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 – October 25, 2014
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira – April 26, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Rashad Evans (19-4-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ryan Bader – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson – October 3, 2015
– vs. Chael Sonnen – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013
– vs. Dan Henderson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson – June 15, 2013
– vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar – February 2, 2013
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans – April 21, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Shogun Rua – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
Comment: Then-champion Shogun Rua was scheduled to defend against Rashad Evans at UFC 128 in 2011, but a knee injury forced Rashad to pass on the fight. Instead, Jon Jones went on to finish Shogun and become UFC champion, a reign that would continue until 2015 because of his legal issues. Now, it may be 5 years later, but in the spring, we’ll finally see Shogun and Rashad in the octagon.
7) Glover Teixeira (24-4)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: October 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Pat Cummins – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015
– vs. Phil Davis – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 – October 25, 2014
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira – April 26, 2014
– vs. Ryan Bader – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Bader – September 4, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
8) “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (19-4, 1 NC)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: January 11, 1981
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jiri Prochazka – Win via KO (punch) – Rizin FF – December 31, 2015
– vs. Teodoras Aukstuolis – Win via decision (unanimous) – Rizin FF – December 31, 2015
– vs. Brett McDermott – Win via KO (punches) – Rizin FF – December 29, 2015
– vs. Linton Vassell – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator: Dynamite 1 – September 19, 2015
– vs. Cheick Kongo – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 134: The British Invasion – February 27, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Mo fought at the end of 2015 in Japan, winning a multi-night tournament (three wins over the course of two shows in three nights). He should be back in Bellator by the summer where he and Phil Davis are likely to decide who gets their next title fight.
9) Liam McGeary (11-0)
Height: 6’6
Birthday: October 4, 1982
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tito Ortiz – Win via submission (inverted triangle choke) – Bellator: Dynamite 1 – September 19, 2015
– vs. Emanuel Newton – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 134: The British Invasion – February 27, 2015
– vs. Kelly Anundson – Win via submission (inverted triangle choke) – Bellator 124 – September 12, 2014
– vs. Egidijus Valavicius – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 122 – July 25, 2014
– vs. Mike Mucitelli – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 118 – May 2, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (36-11)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Fabio Maldonado – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 186 – April 25, 2015
– vs. King Mo Lawal – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 120 – May 17, 2014
– vs. Christian M’Pumbu – Win via KO (punch) – Bellator 110 – February 28, 2014
– vs. Joey Beltran – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 108 – November 15, 2013
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – January 26, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Ovince St. Preux (18-7)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: April 8, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss vis submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015
– vs. Patrick Cummins – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on FOX: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Shogun Rua – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. St. Preux – November 8, 2014
– vs. Ryan Bader – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux – August 16, 2014
– vs. Ryan Jimmo – Win via submission (injury) – UFC 174 – June 14, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Feijao Cavalcante – UFC Fight Night – February 6, 2016
12) Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (23-10)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. OSP – November 8, 2014
– vs. Dan Henderson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Hendo 2 – March 23, 2014
– vs. James Te-Huna – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot – December 7, 2013
– vs. Chael Sonnen – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen – August 17, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Rashad Evans – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
13) Jimi Manuwa (15-2)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: February 18, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 – September 5, 2015
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 – April 11, 2015
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa – March 8, 2014
– vs. Ryan Jimmo – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz – October 26, 2013
– vs. Cyrille Diabate – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC on Fuel: Barao vs. McDonald – February 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) “The Hardcore Kid” Emanuel Newton (25-9-1)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 2, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Phil Davis – Loss via submission (kimura) – Bellator: Dynamite 1 – September 19, 2015
– vs. Liam McGeary – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 134: The British Invasion – February 27, 2015
– vs. Linton Vassell – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 130 – October 24, 2014
– vs. Joey Beltran – Win via KO (spinning back fist) – Bellator 124 – September 12, 2014
– vs. Attila Vegh – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 113 – March 21, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Linton Vassell – Bellator 149 – February 19, 2016
15) Patrick Cummins (8-3)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: November 16, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015
– vs. Rafael Cavalcante – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold – April 18, 2015
– vs. Antonio Carlos Junior – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway – December 20, 2014
– vs. Kyle Kingsbury – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Final Notes: Jon Jones is ineligible in the 411 MMA Rankings because he has not competed in over one year and has not signed to officially return.
