September World MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweights
Jon Jones beat up Rampage Jackson for 4 rounds, solidifying his status as the top 205 pounder in the world. Here’s how we think LHW breaks down after recent events:
1: Jon Jones
Record: 14-1 (won last 5)
Recent opponents: Rampage Jackson, Mauricio Rua, Ryan Bader
Upcoming: vs Rashad Evans, date unknown
Jones has demonstrated that the hype machine surrounding him has been for good reason. He successfully defended the UFC light heavyweight title with a strong performance against Rampage.
2: Mauricio Rua
Record: 20-5 (won last 1)
Recent opponents: Forrest Griffin, Jon Jones (loss), Lyoto Machida
Upcoming: vs Dan Henderson @ UFC 139
Shogun will look to continue working back towards the title when he faces fellow Pride standout Dan Henderson this November.
3: Rashad Evans
Record: 16-1-1 (won last 3)
Recent opponents: Tito Ortiz, Rampage Jackson, Thiago Silva
Upcoming: vs Jon Jones, date unknown
Evans will face the champion in a grudge match between former teammates.
4: Quinton Jackson
Record: 32-9 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Jon Jones (loss), Matt Hamill, Lyoto Machida
Upcoming: Unknown
Rampage lasted 4 rounds against Jon Jones, but couldn’t muster any offence against the champion.
5: Lyoto Machida
Record: 17-2 (won last 1)
Recent opponents: Randy Couture, Rampage Jackson (loss), Mauricio Rua (loss)
Upcoming: Unknown
The Machida era may never have started, but Lyoto is still a terrible styles matchup for virtually anyone in the division.
6: Forrest Griffin
Record: 18-7 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Mauricio Rua (loss), Rich Franklin, Tito Ortiz
Upcoming: Unknown
Yet another former champ in this stacked division, Forrest lost decisively to Shogun, evening their series at 1-1.
7: Phil Davis
Record: 9-0
Recent opponents: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Tim Boetsch, Rodney Wallace
Upcoming: Unknown
Davis is still recovering from an injury that took him out of a match against Rashad Evans. Mr. Wonderful is another great up and comer whose wrestling can give anyone fits.
8: Dan Henderson
Record: 28-8 (won last 3)
Recent opponents: Fedor Emelianenko (fought at heavyweight), Rafael Cavalcante, Renato Sobral
Upcoming: vs Mauricio Rua @ UFC 139
The Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is the latest Strikeforce fighter to move to the UFC, signalling the promotion’s days are numbered. Henderson provides matchmakers with versatility, as he can compete at a high level in 3 weight classes.
9: Tito Ortiz
Record: 16-9-1 (lost last 1)
Recent opponents: Rashad Evans (loss), Ryan Bader, Matt Hamill (loss)
Upcoming: vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira @ UFC 140
Ortiz was on a high after saving his job with a win over Ryan Bader, and won more respect by taking a fight against Rashad Evans on short notice. Unfortunately, things crashed back down to earth, and now he faces Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a match that could see the loser get cut.
10: Ryan Bader
Record: 12-2 (lost last 2)
Recent opponents: Tito Ortiz (loss), Jon Jones (loss), Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Upcoming: vs Jason Brilz @ UFC 139
Bader started off 12-0, then lost 2 in a row. He gets a chance to bounce back with a match against Jason Brilz.
One Rant to “September World MMA Rankings: Light Heavyweights”
Leave a Rant
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
FEATURED PARTNERS
- 54 Beautifully Offensive Desktop Wallpapers
- Newt Gingrich Confesses To An Unusual Addiction
- Stephen Colbert Mocks Fox News And CNN's Iowa Caucus Coverage
- Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom -- Kobe to Be Cut Up & Eaten at Dallas Welcome Dinner
- Elin Nordegren -- I Demolished My $12 MILLION Mansion
- Khloe & Kim Kardashian -- Dallas Odom Cheerleaders!
- High School All-American P*sses His Mother Off with His School Choice During His ‘Decision’ on ESPN
- For Sale: A Jar of Farts
- I Hate You on Facebook
Remember, we don’t think in words – so we don’t think in language. We think in images, emotions, meaning.