mma / Columns
411 MMA Rankings 09.06.16: Light Heavyweight Division
This is the first update to our light heavyweight rankings since the spring and lots of the men you would consider the best have seen action. The man atop that list, Jon Jones, has not but that’s due solely to his own actions as he’s been dealing with the politics of a failed drug test since he was removed from UFC 200 days before the big night in July.
Interestingly enough, not much has changed at 205-pounds despite this being an update after five months. In Bellator, champion Liam McGeary has not returned since he beat Tito Ortiz and while his next challenger appears to be Phil Davis, nothing has been made official. Davis won a decision against King Mo in the spring and being one of the big signings for the company over the past year (most recently, they added former UFC welterweight contender Rory MacDonald to their fold), he will almost definitely get a crack at McGeary before the end of this year.
For the UFC, Daniel Cormier remains champion but nobody is too focused on him as the wait to see whether Jones can return to action soon has taken over as the only major story involving a light heavyweight. If Jones remains out of the picture into next year, the obvious fight for Cormier would be a rematch with Anthony Johnson. Their first fight was no closely-fought war or a controversial decision; Cormier choked Johnson out last year. However, since then, Johnson has knocked out Jimi Manuwa, Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira. So, if Cormier has to fight anyone not named Jones, Rumble is the guy and he’d have as good a shot to unseat Cormier as anyone.
At one time (let’s say 10 years ago), the light heavyweight division in MMA was arguably the best with a series of tough challengers, a great champion and rising prospects. Fast forward to 2016, and this is no longer the case (any such talk would have to focus on the lighter weight divisions entirely). However, among the top 15 ranked fighters on this list in September 2016, you’ll see two men who were among the best ten years ago: Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson. Amazingly so, they’re legitimately considered among the top contenders right now although I’m not sure whether that’s more of a compliment towards their abilities today or the state of the division. Regardless, Jackson (in Bellator) and Rua (in UFC) are far from ready to call an end to their legendary careers and why should they? They’re still beating younger fighters and they’re not all cans, either.
http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma
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.
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
Comment: Why can’t Jon Jones lead a routine, boring professional career like Georges St. Pierre did for so long? Jones was popped for failing a pre-UFC 200 drug test for two banned substances. He has not been suspended, nearly two months since that news came to light. Today, there are rumblings that Jones will not be suspended and will in fact return to action before the end of this year. Why? Technicalities if you’re not a believer in UFC controlling commissions.
2) Daniel Cormier (18-1)
Birthday: March 20, 1979
Height: 5’9
Weight: 239
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anderson Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016
– 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 (22-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: March 6, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: 13 seconds is all it took for Johnson to stop Glover Teixeira last month.
4) Alexander Gustafsson (17-4)
Height: 6’5
Birthday: January 15, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 3, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Gustafsson was in a bad place, mentally, following his loss to Daniel Cormier last year. After recovering from injuries, he returned to action this weekend and earned his first win in 30 months. Whether he can use this to get back into the title mix, this will be one of the bigger questions in this division at the end of 2016.
5) Glover Teixeira (25-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: October 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anthony Johnson – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Johnson became the first man in 14 years to stop Glover in a fight.
6) Ryan Bader (21-5)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 7, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ilir Latifi – Win via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – September 3, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Phil Davis (16-3, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: September 25, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. King Mo Laval – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
8) 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
9) “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (19-5, 1 NC)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: January 11, 1981
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Phil Davis – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 154 – May 14, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) 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:
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – UFC 204 – October 8, 2016
11) Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-11)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: June 20, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Satoshi Ishii – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 157 – June 24, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (24-10)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Corey Anderson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 198 – May 14, 2016
– 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:
– Unknown
13) Nikita Krylov (21-4)
Birthday: March 7, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ed Herman – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 201 – July 30, 2016
– vs. Francimar Barroso – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – May 8, 2016
– vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 23, 2015
– vs. Stanislav Nedkov – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox – January 24, 2015
– vs. Cody Donovan – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 19, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Corey Anderson (8-2)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: September 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Shogun Rua – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 198 – May 14, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) 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:
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – UFC 204 – October 8, 2016
Final Notes: Misha Cirkunov received additional votes.
