mma / Columns

411 MMA Rankings 01.29.18: Heavyweight Division – Fedor, Daniel Cormier, More

January 29, 2019 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon


411’s Official MMA Rankings

Heavyweight Division


1) Daniel Cormier (22-1, 1 NC)

Birthday: March 20, 1979

Height: 5’9

Weight: 239

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Derrick Lewis – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018

– vs. Stipe Miocic – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018

– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018

– vs. Jon Jones – No Contest (originally a loss via TKO) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017

– vs. Anthony Johnson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 210 – April 8, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Cormier gave up the UFC light heavyweight title in December (which begs the question, what’s the point to becoming a two division champion if nobody ever does so and defend both titles?), focusing solely on his heavyweight crown as he nears his 40th birthday in March. Who will he fight in 2019? It appears unlikely that man will be Brock Lesnar. There doesn’t seem much push on the behest of Stipe Miocic for him to get a second crack at Cormier. Unless he actually gets that opportunity, are we going to see Cormier fight Jon Jones for a third time (first at heavyweight)? I doubt it happens before the end of 2019 at the earliest, so hopefully we get some news soon about Cormier’s next title challenger.



2) Stipe Miocic (18-3)

Birthday: August 19, 1982

Height: 6’4

Weight: 245

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018

– vs. Francis Ngannou – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018

– vs. Junior dos Santos – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017

– vs. Alistair Overeem – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem – September 10, 2016

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic – May 14, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



3) Derrick Lewis (21-6, 1 NC)

Birthday: February 7, 1985

Height: 6’3

Weight: 260

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Daniel Cormier – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 230 – November 3, 2018

– vs. Alexander Volkov – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018

– vs. Francis Ngannou – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2016

– vs. Marcin Tybura – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – February 18, 2018

– vs. Mark Hunt – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – June 10, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Junior dos Santos – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019



4) Francis Ngannou (12-3)

Birthday: September 5, 1986

Height: 6’4

Weight: 255

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Curtis Blades – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 24, 2018

– vs. Derrick Lewis – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2016

– vs. Stipe Miocic – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018

– vs. Alistair Overeem – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017

– vs. Andrei Arlovski – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 28, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Cain Velasquez – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019



5) Alexander “Drago” Volkov (30-7)

Birthday: October 24, 1988

Height: 6’7

Weight: 235

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Derrick Lewis – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 17, 2018

– vs. Stefan Struve – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 2, 2017

– vs. Roy Nelson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017

– vs. Timothy Johnson – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



6) Curtis Blaydes (10-2, 1 NC)

Birthday: February 18, 1991

Height: 6’4

Weight: 250

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Francis Ngannou – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 24, 2018

– vs. Alistair Overeem – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018

– vs. Mark Hunt – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 221 – February 10, 2018

– vs. Alexey Oleynik – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017

– vs. Daniel Omielanczuk – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Justin Willis – UFC Fight Night – March 23, 2019

Comment: Blaydes is undefeated when he doesn’t fight Francis Ngannou. Losses in 2016 and 2018 mar his record, but that’s nothing to be shameful about. Blaydes has signed to return in March against Justin Willis who himself is coming off a win over Mark Hunt.



7) Alexey Oleynik (57-11-1)

Birthday: June 25, 1977

Height: 6’1

Weight: 240

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Mark Hunt – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018

– vs. Junior Albini – Win via submission (Ezekiel choke) — UFC 224 – May 12, 2018

– vs. Curtis Blaydes – Loss via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017

– vs. Travis Browne – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017

– vs. Viktor Pesta – Win via submission (Ezekiel choke) – UFC Fight Night – January 15, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



8) Alistair Overeem (44-17, 1 No Contest)

Birthday: May 17, 1980

Height: 6’5

Weight: 240

Birthday: May 17, 1980

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Sergey Pavlovich – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 24, 2018

– vs. Curtis Blaydes – Loss via TKO (elbows) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018

– vs. Francis Ngannou – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Win via decision (split) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017

– vs. Mark Hunt – Win via KO (knee) – UFC 209 – March 4, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



9) Cain Velasquez (14-2)

Birthday: July 28, 1982

Height: 6’2

Weight: 242

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Travis Browne – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum – June 13, 2015

– vs. Junior dos Santos – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 166: Velasquez vs. JDS 3 – October 19, 2013

– vs. Antonio Silva – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Silva 2 – May 25, 2013

– vs. Junior dos Santos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 155: dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 – December 29, 2012

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Frances Ngannou – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019



10) Junior dos Santos (20-5)

Birthday: January 30, 1984

Height: 6’4

Weight: 243

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Tai Tuivasa – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – December 1, 2018

– vs. Blagoi Ivanov – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 14, 2018

– vs. Stipe Miocic – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017

– vs. Ben Rothwell – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 10, 2016

– vs. Alistair Overeem – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – December 19, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Derrick Lewis – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019



11) Vitaly Minakov (21-0)

Birthday: February 6, 1985

Height: 6’3

Weight: 249

Currently fighting with: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Tony Johnson – Win via TKO (strikes) – Fight Nights Global – December 16, 2017

– vs. Antonio Silva – Win via KO (punches) – Fight Nights Global 68 – June 2, 2017

– vs. DJ Linderman – Win via KO (strikes) – Fight Nights Global 59 – February 23, 2017

– vs. Peter Graham – Win via submission (armor) – EFN 50 – June 17, 2016

– vs. Josh Copeland – Win via submission (Kimura) – EFN: Fight Nights Moscow – December 11, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Cheick Kongo – Bellator 216 – February 16, 2019

Comment: It’s official, undefeated former Bellator heavyweight champion is returning on February 16 against Cheick Kongo. This is a rematch of Minakov’s first Bellator title defense in 2014 when he beat Kongo in a unanimous decision. Kongo is 7-0 in his last seven fights including a win over Alex Volkov. A win for Minakov here and he should get the first title shot against Ryan Bader.



12) Ryan Bader (27-5)

Height: 6’2

Birthday: June 7, 1983

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Fedor Emelianenko – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator MMA – January 26, 2019

– vs. Matt Mitrione – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 207 – October 12, 2018

– vs. King Mo Lawal – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 199 – May 12, 2018

– vs. Linton Vassell – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 186 – November 3, 2017

– vs. Phil Davis – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 180 – June 24, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Bader knocked Fedor out with a single left hand seconds into the first hand. He followed up with a few punches before the ref stopped the fight, but it was never in doubt following the opening strike. The new Bellator heavyweight champion is the first double champion in the promotion, adding to his light heavyweight championship.



13) Marcin “Tybur” Tybura (17-4)

Birthday: November 9, 1985

Height: 6’3

Weight: 249

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Stefan Struve – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 22, 2018

– vs. Derrick Lewis – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – February 18, 2018

– vs. Fabricio Werdum – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 18, 2017

– vs. Andrei Arlovski – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 17, 2017

– vs. Luis Henrique Barbosa de Oliveira – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 209 – March 4, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



14) Blagoy Ivanov (16-2, 1 NC)

Birthday: October 9, 1986

Height: 5’11

Weight: 251

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Junior dos Santos – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 14, 2018

– vs. Caio Alencar – Win via decision (unanimous) – PFL – November 2, 2017

– vs. Shawn Jordan – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 35 – March 18, 2017

– vs. Josh Copeland – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 31 – June 17, 2016

– vs. Derrick Mehmen – Win via TKO (strikes) – WSOF 24 – October 17, 2015

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Ben Rothwell – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019

Comment: Ivanov has signed to fight Ben Rothwell in the latter’s return to action following a two-year suspension due to a failed drug test (anabolic steroid).



15) Denis Goltsov (22-5)

Birthday: October 6, 1990

Height: 6’5

Weight: 227

Currently fighting with: ACB

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Ednaldo Oliveira – Win via submission (D’arce choke) – League S70 – August 22, 2018

– vs. Atanas Djambazov – Win via submission (Ezekiel choke) – RCC – February 25, 2018

– vs. Chase Gormley – Win via KO (punch) – ACB 77 – December 23, 2017

– vs. Mukhomad Vakhaev – Loss via TKO (submission) – ACB 67 – August 19, 2017

– vs. Salimgerey Rasulov – Win via decision (unanimous) – ACB 50: Stormbringer – December 18, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown