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411 MMA Rankings 04.26.16: Light Heavyweight Division
Jon Jones is back and is there really any reason to believe he will not continue dominating the light heavyweight division in the UFC? He was unable to finish Ovince St. Preux last weekend, but he has not finished a fight since he stopped Chael Sonnen nearly exactly three years ago. It appears as though he will be back in action in July headlining UFC 200 against Daniel Cormier to perhaps settle their beef once and for all, unless Cormier happens to pull off the upset.
After Cormier, the fight to make at 205 is Jones against Anthony Johnson. Perhaps Johnson is the one man in this weight class who can say he boasts more power in his stand-up than Jones.
The next slate of light heavyweight fights involving ranked fighters will hit us next month. Bellator is in San Jose on May 14 with a main event featuring tournament winner Phil Davis against King Mo. The winner of that fight should have no issue in earning a shot at champion Liam McGeary by the fall. That same night in Brazil, among the many fights taking place at UFC 198 pits legendary Shogun Rua against Corey Anderson. Shogun has not won consecutive fights since he knocked out Chuck Liddell in 2009 while Anderson is up against the biggest name opponent of his career.
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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 They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded.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) Jon “Bones” Jones (22-1)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197: Jones vs. OSP – April 23, 2016
– vs. Daniel Cormier – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier – January 3, 2015
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira – April 26, 2014
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson – September 21, 2013
– vs. Chael Sonnen – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen – April 27, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
2) 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
3) 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
4) Glover Teixeira (25-4)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: October 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rashad Evans – Win via KO (punches) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) 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
6) 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
7) Phil Davis (15-3, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: September 25, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Francis Carmont – 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:
– vs. King Mo Lawal – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
8) Rashad Evans (19-5-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: September 25, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– 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:
– Unknown
9) “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:
– vs. Phil Davis – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
10) 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
11) Ovince St. Preux (19-8)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: April 8, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 197: Jones vs. OSP – April 23, 2016
– vs. Rafael Cavalcante – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 6, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) 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:
– vs. Satoshi Ishii – Bellator 157 – June 24, 2016
Comment: A legal issue sent Rampage back to Bellator and he’ll return in two months against Japanese heavyweight Satoshi Ishii. Ishii was 23-years-old when he debuted in MMA following his gold medal win at the 2008 Olympics. However, he lost that first fight to Hidehiko Yoshida and was unable to live up to the crazy hype in Japan ever since. He’s 14-5-1 overall (losses to Fedor and Cro Cop among them) and this will mark his U.S. MMA debut against Rampage who has not fought in over a year.
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) 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. Corey Anderson – UFC 198 – May 14, 2016
15) Corey Anderson (8-1)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: September 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tom Lawlor – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 198: McGregor vs. Diaz – March 5, 2016
– vs. Fabio Maldonado – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson 2 – September 5, 2015
– vs. Gian Villante – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 18, 2015
– vs. Justin Jones – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2 – December 6, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Shogun Rua – UFC 198 – May 14, 2016
Final Notes: No other fighter received votes.
