Daniel Cormier stepped in for Alistair Overeem and delivered a stirring performance this month against Antonio Silva. Here is a more detailed look at how the heavyweight division breaks down after recent events:
1: Cain Velasquez
Record: 9-0
Recent opponents: Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ben Rothwell
Upcoming: vs Junior dos Santos, @ UFC on Fox
It’s official: Cain’s 1st title defence will be take place on the UFC’s network television debut.
2: Alistair Overeem
Record: 35-11, 1 NC (won last 10 plus 1 no contest)
Recent opponents: Fabricio Werdum, Todd Duffee, Brett Rogers
Upcoming: vs Brock Lesnar @ UFC 141
After being cut abruptly by Zuffa, Overeem has signed a new contract and will face Brock Lesnar.
3: Daniel Cormier
Record: 9-0
Recent opponents: Antonio Silva, Jeff Monson, Devin Cole
Upcoming: vs Josh Barnett, date unknown
Starting out as a reserve in the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix, Cormier stepped in after Overeen’s release and beat up Antonio Silva
4: Antonio Silva
Record: 16-3 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Daniel Cormier (loss), Fedor Emelianenko, Mike Kyle
Upcoming: Unknown
“Bigfoot” shot up the rankings by handily defeating Fedor Emelianenko. His status as a favourite to win it all however abruptly ended due to Daniel Cormier.
5: Junior dos Santos
Record: 13-1 (won last 8 )
Recent opponents: Shane Carwin, Roy Nelson, Gabriel Gonzaga
Upcoming: vs Cain Velasquez @ UFC on Fox
Cigano’s gamble paid off as he pummelled Shane Carwin at UFC 131. Next up is his long-awaited title shot, now taking place on network TV.
6: Brock Lesnar
Record: 5-2 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Cain Velasquez (loss), Shane Carwin, Frank Mir
Upcoming: vs Alistair Overeem @ UFC 141
Lesnar makes his long awaited return to fighting in a big money match against Alistair Overeem.
7: Shane Carwin
Record: 12-2 (lost last 2)
Recent opponents: Junior dos Santos (loss), Brock Lesnar (loss), Frank Mir
Upcoming: Unknown
Carwin has targeted a return for late December or early January.
8: Fabricio Werdum
Record: 14-5-1 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Alistair Overeem (loss), Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Silva
Upcoming: Unknown
After losing in an uninspiring affair against Alistair Overeem, Werdum continues to wait for his next chance.
9: Frank Mir
Record: 15-5 (won last 2)
Recent opponents: Roy Nelson, Cro Cop, Shane Carwin (loss)
Upcoming: vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira @ UFC 140
Mir gets a chance to show that his win over Minotauro was no fluke, as they are set for a rematch this December
10: Roy Nelson
Record: 15-6 (lost last 2)
Recent opponents: Frank Mir (loss), Junior dos Santos (loss), Stefan Struve
Upcoming: vs Cro Cop @ UFC 137
Getting battered and beaten by Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir keeps Big Country out of the elite of the elite.
Notes:
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira drops from the rankings due to the entry of Daniel Cormier.
