- Aleksander Emelianenko Not Fighting in Korea
- Paul Buentello Reportedly Leaves Strikeforce, Heading To The UFC
- Evangelista vs Gurgel To Main Event Nov. 6 Strikeforce Challengers Event
- Full UFC 103: Franklin vs Belfort Bouts Confirmed
- 2-Time Olympian Daniel Cormier To Make MMA Debut At Strikeforce Sept 25
- Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones In The Works For "TUF 10 Finale"
- Rick Story Reportedly In For Daley Against Brian Foster
- Gesias "JZ" Calvacante VS Daisuke Nakamura At DREAM 11
- Fight Card Set For "MFC 22: Payoff"
- Clementi vs. Duncan To Headline Cage Wars Championship
- On The Spot ~ Raffaello 'Tractor' Oliveira
- On The Spot ~ Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit
- On The Spot ~ James Brasco
- Video: On The Spot ~ Roan Carneiro
- Jimi Manuwa ~ Becoming The Poster Boy
- Royce Gracie: I Give Them The Tools, The Rest Is Up To Them
- On The Spot ~ Gilbert Melendez
- Renato Sobral ~ It Speaks For Itself
- On The Spot ~ Denis Kang
- Introducing Mayhem Promotions
Pound 4 Pound
Pound For Pound
1. Fedor Emelianenko [Affliction] 29-1-0
What’s there to discuss? Almost a decade of flawless dominance has engraved the top Pound for Pound spot in Fedor’s name until he is beaten or chooses to stop fighting. Without a lackluster performance in his career Fedor claims the top spot once again.
2. Anderson Silva: [UFC] 23-4-0
While a lot of people have turned their backs on Anderson as the UFC’s best fighter after two lackluster wins, people seem to forget how few fighters in the world could beat Patrick Cote and Thales Leites without being hit. It would be nice to see Anderson be more aggressive then seen in his last two outings, but he has nothing left to prove to fans.
3. Georges St. Pierre: [UFC] 18-2-0
One thing undoubtedly holding GSP back from p4p dominance is his size advantage over anybody in the 170 pound division, except for one fighter. When Georges and Thiago Alves meet at UFC 100 the world will know if GSP is just as dangerous without a size and strength advantage over his opponents, but until that #3 is as high as you can rank him.
4. Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida [UFC] 15-0-0
Lyoto Machida has taken less shots in his whole career than some of the fighters ranked above him have in one fight, and his hard work and skill have now been rewarded with the light heavyweight title. Arguably the most prestigious belt in the whole sport since Pride’s heavyweight belt, Lyoto will look to join a short list of defending champions when he defends against the versatile Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. While his list of victims seems to lack the amount of top 10 victories it takes to stake a claim to the #1 spot, with a laundry list of top fighters awaiting him it is possible that Lyoto could be Fedor’s successor when Father Time catches up with him. With nearly flawless standup that comes at you from everywhere, and a very solid ground and clinch game to back it up, Lyoto Machida is the best fighter in the light heavyweight division. No wonder Forrest didn't want to fight him.
5. B.J. Penn: [UFC] 13-5-1
The most gifted martial artist ever is currently at a low point in his career, after being shown how size could overcome skill by GSP at UFC 94 B.J. Penn must now rebound from a loss, something that many people believe he cannot do. With better dedication and a better mind set B.J. can still be the greatest fighter in the world.
6. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto [Dream] 17-1-0
Although Kid’s 7 year unbeaten streak has official been ended by the best wrestler currently fighting in mixed martial arts, scrappy Joe Warren, Kid remains one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. Not exactly Norifumi’s best luck that his first fight back from a long layoff and a major knee surgery is the only person below 145 with better wrestling than himself, but Kid never gave up and made it to a close split decision. Without ring rust in his next fight look for Kid to rebound strongly and perhaps start another 7 year win streak. Look out for Joe Warren to make a name for himself in MMA, or win an Olympic gold in wrestling when his suspension is up.
7. Dan 'Hollywood' Henderson [UFC] 24-7-0
The only man to ever hold a belt in two different weight classes in a major organization, and although he never defended them, the road he took to get him there is remarkable enough. Winning the first and last 183lb Grand Prix and taking the belt from Wanderlei Silva earned Dan Henderson a spot in history, and his two recent wins over tough fighters Rich Franklin and Rousimar Palhares (in different weight classes) have “Hendo” back in the top 10 P4P. His ability to be a top fighter in more than one weight class has never been seen before in the UFC, and while age may be catching up to Dan Henderson, the last thing to go is still power, which is all he needs to put you out.
8. Rashad 'Sugar' Evans [UFC] 13-0-1
Although the last time Rashad left the octagon was after being humbled by Lyoto Machida, he still has a claim to being a top light heavyweight and pound for pound fighter. One could argue in one sentence that Rashad Evan's has the most dangerous hands at 205, and in the next sentence claim that he has the best wrestling. On top of great boxing and takedown defense, he has speed, agility and power. Size hasn't been an issue throughout his career, giving up size to his opponents in every fight except one. Although the Rashad puzzle has been solved finally, doesn’t make it an easy puzzle to solve.
9. Miguel Torres [WEC] 37-1-0
A breakthrough year has earned Miguel Torres a spot near the top of the bantamweight rankings, on many FOTY lists, and on our top 10 pound for pound fighters in the world. With great standup and a feared ground game it is a wonder why it took so long for him to find the spotlight. And with many challengers left at 135 for him to fight, the only thing holding him back from the top 5 besides competition is a relevant takedown game. With the WEC expanding and bringing in new talent from Japan, look for Torres to be tested more and more each fight.
10. Thiago 'Pitbull' Alves [UFC] 16-3-0
Thiago’s Pound for Pound rank suffers from the same disease that GSP’s does: “being too big”. Alves has struggled to make the 170 limit in his career and even failed once, but when he fights someone relatively his size at UFC 100 we will see how much size affects his dominance. The GSP/Alves fight answers a lot of questions on both fighters.
One 2 Watch: Mike Brown [UFC] 21-4-0
The winner of the Mike Brown/Urijah Faber match will more than likely find their way into the top 10 by the end of the year, but Mike Brown receives the honorable mention spot for already having the leg up on Urijah. Although Mike Brown’s career at 155 was lackluster, his pure dominance so far at 145 has made many people have second thoughts about him. Coming off of his first title defense, in which he dominated home town hero Leonard Garcia, it is hard to dispute Mike Brown's claim as the best 145lber in the world. With another fight in his opponent’s home town upcoming, it seems like the WEC is trying to give every disadvantage they can to their champ. Mike Brown not only displays how a true martial artist should be inside the ring with his well rounded and exciting fights, but how they should be outside of the ring.
Posted at 04-07-2009