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411 Light Heavyweight MMA Rankings: Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Jan Blachowicz (28-8)
Birthday: February 24, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Israel Adesanya – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 259 – March 6, 2021
– vs. Dominick Reyes – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 253 – September 26, 2020
– vs. Corey Anderson – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – February 15, 2020
– vs. Jacare Souza – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 16, 2019
– vs. Luke Rockhold – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Blachowicz defended the light heavyweight title against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and each of the judges scored all but one round for him. The speed of the challenger was not enough to take the defending champion off his game. Blachowicz said afterward that he was impressed by Adesanya’s power, but neither man was close to being finished during the 25-mintue fight. The champion is now looking to take some time away to be with his family and away from the grind of a training camp. If Glover Teixeira is willing to wait (meaning if Glover isn’t in need of a big pay day in the next six months), he would be the next challenger.
2) Glover Teixeira (32-7)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: October 28, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Thiago Santos – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN – November 7, 2020
– vs. Anthony Smith – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 13, 2020
– vs. Nikita Krylov – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 14, 2019
– vs. Ion Cutelaba – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – April 27, 2019
– vs. Karl Roberson – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – January 19, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Glover was on standby this weekend as he was the substitute, if needed, for the main event title fight. He made weight Friday morning, but was never needed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qkpmED9Vl0
3) Dominick Reyes (12-2)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: December 26, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 253 – September 26, 2020
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 247 – February 8, 2020
– vs. Chris Weidman – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – October 18, 2019
– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – Win via decision (split) – UFC on ESPN+ – March 16, 2019
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jiri Prochazka – UFC Fight Night – May 1, 2021
4) Vadim Nemkov (12-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: June 20, 1992
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ryan Bader – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 244 – August 21, 2020
– vs. Rafael Carvalho – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 230 – October 12, 2019
– vs. Phil Davis – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 209 – November 15, 2018
– vs. Liam McGeary – Win via TKO (leg kicks) – Bellator 194 – February 16, 2018
– vs. Philipe Lins – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 182 – August 25, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Phil Davis – Bellator 257 – April 16, 2021
Comment: It’s that time again and Bellator is gearing up for their 2021 debut in early April, and remember, they’re now on Showtime. Bellator 256 on April 9 will see their Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament kick off with a pair of quarterfinal fights. Former champion Ryan Bader (and still the reigning heavyweight champion) Ryan Bader returns for the first time since that loss to fight Lyoto Machida. Corey Anderson will fight Dovietdzhan Yagshimuradov from Turkemenistan in his Bellator debut.
Then, at Bellator 257 on April 16, in a pair of promotion debuts, Yoel Romero will fight Anthony Johnson. In his first championship defense, Vadim Nemkov will defend against Phil Daivs to round out the first round.
5) Corey Anderson (14-5)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: September 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Melvin Manhoef – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 251 – November 5, 2020
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – February 15, 2020
– vs. Johnny Walker – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Ilir Latifi – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via decision – UFC Fight Night – July 22, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov – Bellator 256 – April 9, 2021
6) Aleksandar Rakic (14-2)
Birthday: February 6, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Thiago Santos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 259 – March 6, 2021
– vs. Anthony Smith – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 29, 2020
– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – December 21, 2019
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night – June 1, 2019
– vs. Devin Clark – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Tomasz Narkun (18-3)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: December 3, 1989
Currently Fighting With: KSW
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ivan Erslan – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – KSW 56 – November 14, 2020
– vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – KSW 50 – September 14, 2019
– vs. Philip De Fries – Loss via decision (unanimous) – KSW 47 – March 23, 2019
– vs. Mamed Khalidov – Win via decision (unanimous) – KSW 46 – December 1, 2018
– vs. Mamed Khalidov – Win via submission (triangle choke) – KSW 42 – March 3, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
8) Jiri Prochazka (27-3)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: October 14, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Volkan Oezedemir – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 251 – July 11, 2020
– vs. C.B. Dolloway – Win via KO (strikes) – Rizin FF 20 – December 31, 2019
– vs. Fabio Maldonado – Win via KO (strikes) – Rizin FF 19 – October 12, 2019
– vs. King Mo Lawal – Win via TKO (strikes) – Rizin FF 15 – April 21, 2019
– vs. Brandon Halsey – Win via TKO (submission due to strikes) – Rizin FF 14 – December 31, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Dominick Reyes – UFC Fight Night – May 1, 2021
9) Phil Davis (22-5, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: September 25, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 245 – September 11, 2020
– vs. Karl Albrektsson – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 231 – October 25, 2019
– vs. Liam McGeary – Win via TKO (injury) – Bellator 220 – April 27, 2019
– vs. Vadim Nemkov – Loss via decision (split) – Bellator 209 – November 15, 2018
– vs. Linton Vassell – Win via KO (head kick) – Bellator 200 – May 25, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Vadim Nemkov – Bellator 257 – April 16, 2021
10) Thiago Santos (21-9)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: January 7, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Aleksander Rakic – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 259 – March 6, 2021
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN – November 7, 2020
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Santos looked slow and plodding in the first two rounds against Rakic Saturday night. Two judges did score the final round in his favor, but it wasn’t enough for a win. Santos has now lost both fights since returning from the injuries sustained in the Jon Jones title fight. The last win he earned was when he finished Jan Blachowicz two years ago, but it’s clear that Santos is not the same fighter he was then physically. In his next fight, he may be fighting to stay in the UFC.
11) Ryan Bader (27-6, 1 NC)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: June 7, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Vadim Nemkov – Loss via TKO (strikes) Bellator 244 – August 21, 2020
– vs. Cheick Kongo – No Contest – Bellator – September 7, 2019
– vs. Fedor Emelianenko – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 214 – January 26, 2019
– vs. Matt Mitrione – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 207 – October 12, 2018
– vs. King Mo Lawal – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 199 – May 12, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Lyoto Machida – Bellator 256 – April 9, 2021
12) Anthony Smith (34-16)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 26, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Devin Clark – Win via submission (triangle choke) – UFC on ESPN – November 28, 2020
– vs. Aleksandar Rakic – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 29, 2020
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 13, 2020
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on ESPN+ – June 1, 2019
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jimmy Crute – UFC 261 – April 24, 2021
13) Magomed Ankalaev (15-1)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Nikita Krylov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 27, 2021
– vs. Ion Cutelaba – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 254 – October 24, 2020
– vs. Ion Cutelaba – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 29, 2020
– vs. Dalcha Lungiambula – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 9, 2019
– vs. Klidson Abreu – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Johnny Walker (18-5)
Height: 6’6
Birthday: March 30, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ryan Spann – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 19, 2020
– vs. Nikita Krylov – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Corey Anderson – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019
– vs. Misha Cirkunov – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Justin Ledet – Win via TKO (spinning backlist) – UFC Fight Night – February 2, 2019
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Nikita Krylov (27-8)
Birthday: March 7, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Magomed Ankalaev – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 27, 2021
– vs. Johnny Walker – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 14, 2020
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – September 14, 2019
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 236 – April 13, 2019
– vs. Jan Blachowicz – Loss via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
