mma / Columns
411 MMA Rankings 05.28.19: Light Heavyweight Division – Jon Jones, Thiago Santos, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweight Division
Light Heavyweight Division (205 lbs)
1) Jon Jones (24-1, 1 NC)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Anthony Smith – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Daniel Cormier – No Contest (originally – Win via KO (punches)) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Thiago Santos – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
Comment: Five weeks away from the next title defense from Jon Jones, he will headline against Thiago Santos. Santos is on a four-fight win streak since last summer and is expected to be a significant betting underdog by fight night. Looking ahead to who may be the next challenger (assuming Daniel Cormier is not in the picture), the only top UFC light heavyweights right now with winning streaks are Corey Anderson (3-0 since 2018) and Dominick Reyes (11-0). If Jones is intent on cleaning out the division, either of these fighters would likely get the call. However, perhaps the siren call of a heavyweight fight will prove too enticing to continue passing up.
2) 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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT7-LvlANqY
3) 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 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
– 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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9vKs0-ftQc
4) Alexander Gustafsson (18-5)
Height: 6’5
Birthday: January 15, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 28, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Anthony Smith – UFC on ESPN+ – June 1, 2019
5) Thiago Santos (21-6)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: January 7, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Eryk Anders – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC Fight Night – September 22, 2018
– vs. Kevin Holland – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
– vs. David Branch – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jon Jones – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkjnpiEPViI
6) Tomasz Narkun (16-3)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: December 3, 1989
Currently Fighting With: KSW
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Marcin Wojclk – Win via submission (triangle choke) – KSW 39 – May 27, 2017
– vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou – Win via TKO (strikes) – KSW 36 – October 1, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. TBA – KSW 50 – September 14, 2019
Comment: Narkun sought to become a KSW champ-champ by challenging heavyweight champion Philip De Fries in March. Instead, the reigning light heavyweight champion suffered his first defeat in about four a nd a half years. Expect him to be back at light heavyweight when he returns at the end of the summer.
7) Anthony Smith (31-14)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: July 26, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jon Jones – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – October 27, 2018
– vs. Shogun Rua – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 22, 2018
– vs. Rashad Evans – Win via KO (knee) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018
– vs. Thiago Santos – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 3, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Alexander Gustafsson – UFC on ESPN+ – June 1, 2019
8) Corey Anderson (12-4)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: September 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ilir Latifi – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Glover Teixeira – Win via decision – UFC Fight Night – July 22, 2018
– vs. Patrick Cummins – Win via decision – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Loss via KO (head kick) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – March 18, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Jan Blachowicz (23-8)
Birthday: February 24, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Thiago Santos – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Nikita Krylov – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018
– vs. Jimi Manuwa – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 17, 2018
– vs. Jared Cannonier – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
– vs. Devin Clark – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – October 21, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Luke Rockhold – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019
10) Dominick Reyes (11-0)
Height: 6’4
Birthday: December 26, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Jared Cannonier – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – May 19, 2018
– vs. Jeremy Kimball – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 218 – December 2, 2017
– vs. Joachim Christensen – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – June 25, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (26-11)
Birthday: November 25, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tyson Pedro – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – December 1, 2018
– vs. Anthony Smith – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 22, 2018
– vs. Gian Villante – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 11, 2017
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) Ilir Latifi (14-6, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: July 28, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Corey Anderson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Ovince St. Preux – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC on Fox – February 24, 2018
– vs. Tyson Pedro – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017
– vs. Ryan Bader – Loss via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – September 3, 2016
– vs. Gian Villante – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 196 – March 5, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Volkan Oezdemir – UFC Fight Night – June 1, 2019
13) Vadim Nemkov (10-2)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: June 20, 1992
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Alison Vicente – Win via TKO (strikes) – RIZIN FF WGP – December 29, 2016
– vs. Mikolaj Rozanski – Win via TKO (strikes) – Fight Nights Global 50 – June 17, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Phil Davis (20-5, 1 No Contest)
Height: 6’2
Birthday: September 25, 1984
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Leo Leite – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 186 – November 3, 2017
– vs. Ryan Bader – Loss via decision (split) – Bellator 180 – June 24, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Johnny Walker (17-3)
Height: 6’6
Birthday: March 30, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– 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
– vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. – Win via KO (elbow) – UFC Fight Night – November 17, 2018
– vs. Henrique da Silva – Win via decision (unanimous) – Contender Series Brazil – August 11, 2018
– vs. Check Kone – Win via TKO (strikes) – European Beatdown 3 – March 17, 2018
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
