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411 MMA Rankings 07.02.19: Heavyweight Division – Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier, More
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:
– vs. Stipe Miocic – UFC 241 – August 17, 2019
Comment: As a heavyweight, Cormier is a favorite against anyone (not named Jon Jones) and this rule will be active for his upcoming title defense against Stipe Miocic. Cormier is 40-years-old, so he’ll try to do something only Randy Couture has been able to do — successfully defend a UFC championship after turning 40.
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:
– vs. Daniel Cormier – UFC 241 – August 17, 2019
Comment: Miocic had been adamant about receiving a rematch against Daniel Cormier and after much delay, he will have this opportunity next month. Stipe had been talked up as the best heavyweight in UFC history prior to last summer’s loss, but he will need to beat Cormier if he’s to restart that discussion. Remember, Cormier is undefeated as a heavyweight.
3) Francis Ngannou (14-3)
Birthday: September 5, 1986
Height: 6’4
Weight: 255
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Junior dos Santos – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
– vs. Cain Velasquez – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019
– vs. Curtis Blades – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 24, 2018
– vs. Derrick Lewis – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
– vs. Stipe Miocic – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 220 – January 20, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Ngannou blasted Junior dos Santos Saturday night and becomes the clear top contender following this summer’s title fight between Cormier and Miocic. In wake of his two-fight losing streak a year ago, he has battered his way back into this position by finishing three top 15 heavyweights.
4) Junior dos Santos (21-6)
Birthday: January 30, 1984
Height: 6’4
Weight: 243
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Francis Ngannou – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
– vs. Derrick Lewis – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: The 35-year-old Brazilian suffered only the sixth loss of his pro career, but you have to wonder if it means he loses any realistic chance of challenging for a UFC championship again. He remains among the most exciting big men in the sport and has been able to stay relatively healthy, but how many multi-fight win streaks are in his future?
5) Derrick Lewis (21-7, 1 NC)
Birthday: February 7, 1985
Height: 6’3
Weight: 260
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Junior dos Santos – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) 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
7) Curtis Blaydes (11-2, 1 NC)
Birthday: February 18, 1991
Height: 6’4
Weight: 250
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Justin Willis – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 23, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
8) Alistair Overeem (45-17, 1 No Contest)
Birthday: May 17, 1980
Height: 6’5
Weight: 240
Birthday: May 17, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alexey Oleynik – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) 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
10) Blagoy Ivanov (18-2, 1 NC)
Birthday: October 9, 1986
Height: 5’11
Weight: 251
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tai Tuivasa – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 238 – June 8, 2019
– vs. Ben Rothwell – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 9, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Alexey Oleynik (57-12-1)
Birthday: June 25, 1977
Height: 6’1
Weight: 240
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alistair Overeem – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Walt Harris – UFC on ESPN – July 20, 2019
12) Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-4)
Birthday: September 2, 1981
Height: 6’3
Weight: 261
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Marcin Tybura – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 20, 2019
– vs. Andrei Arlovski – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018
– vs. Chase Sherman – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – November 25, 2017
– vs. Derrick Lewis – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – December 9, 2016
– vs. Walt Harris – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – October 1, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Curtis Blaydes – UFC 242 – September 7, 2019
13) Cain Velasquez (14-3)
Birthday: July 28, 1982
Height: 6’2
Weight: 242
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Frances Ngannou – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Cheick Kongo (30-10)
Birthday: May 17, 1975
Height: 6’4
Weight: 223
Currently fighting with: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Vitaly Minakov – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 216 – February 16, 2019
– vs. Timothy Johnson – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 208 – October 13, 2018
– vs. Javy Ayala – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 199 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Augusto Sakai – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 179 – May 19, 2017
– vs. Oli Thompson – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 172 – September 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Vitaly Minakov (21-1)
Birthday: February 6, 1985
Height: 6’3
Weight: 249
Currently fighting with: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Cheick Kongo – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 216 – February 16, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown