- 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
Light Heavyweight
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)
Written by Douglas O. and The Rankings team at the Spot.
1. Lyoto Machida: 
15-0-0
After the destruction of Rashad Evans at UFC 98 its hard to argue Machida's spot anywhere but #1. He won the bout in spectacular fashion by KO'ing the Champ mid-way through the second. His once 'elusive' style has seemingly been forgotten by fans who have gained a new appreciation for Machida and his style which hasn't seen such popularity since the Daniel-san and Miyagi days in the mid-80's.
2. Rashad Evans: 16-1-1
Losing his title and receiving his first loss ever in MMA. Rashad "Sugar" Evans looks to redeem himself with a fight against bitter rival Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. This is a battle that many fight fans are looking forward to. The shame is we will be looking forward to in after season ten of the Ultimate Fighter. Until then Rashard will be sitting at number two unless Shogun puts Machida in a Hurt Locker.
3. Forrest Griffin: 16-5-0
It has been announced that MW Champion Anderson "the Spider" Silvia is going to move up in weight to face Griffin in the LHW division at UFC 101 in Philadelphia. The former champ will try to get back to his winning ways as he's been out of action since a third round TKO loss to 'Sugar' Rashad Evans late last year. Will he be the first man in three years to beat the MW Champ? We here at the Spot don't know but we sure will enjoy watching him anyway.
4. Quinton Jackson: 29-7-0
Rampage is to be coaching for a second time on TUF 10 and against not other than his "black on black crime" rival Rashard Evans. Look for this one to be a war and substantiate both fighters positioning in the LHW mix. Until then we'll have fun with Rampage quotes until season ten is over.
5. Mauricio Rua: 18-3-0
In front of a capacity crowd in Montreal in mid-April, Rua crushed the dreams of Liddell's fans everywhere by hammer-fisting him into retirement. After landing a left-hook late in the first, he followed with a succession of blows for the KO of the night. Shogun's next fight will be against none other than Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida.
6. Renato Sobral: 
32-7-0
He is one of the classics that has still not fallen; Unlike his nemesis Chuck Liddell, who has been victim of some brutal losses as of late. Babalu is still kicking some major ass and is the Strikeforce LHW Champ. Although an August 1st bout with Gegard Mousasi, at Afflcition: Trilogy was scrapped, Babalu and Mousasi will meet for his Strikeforce championship on August 15th's "Carano vs. Cyborg" event.
7. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: [Free Agent] 17-3-0
Lil Nog was last seen in action in May, when he scored a third round submission win versus Dion Staring. Although it wasn't to a 'big named' opponent, every trip to the cage helps in keeping the ring rust to a minimum. Now a free agent due to Affliction's demise, Noguiera's next match will be at the star-heavy Bitetti Combat MMA event in Brazil. He will be taking on Alex Stiebling.
8. Kieth Jardine: 14-5-1
Win - Loss - Win - Loss - Win - Loss. Boy the Dean of Mean doesn't seem to know whether he is coming or going. Always one to duke it out, sometimes one wonders if he has what it take's to be a LHW star or weather he will just be the top ten gatekeeper? Let see how he does against Thiago Silva and then we will all have a better idea of how this bottom tier of the LHW top ten will be structured.
9. Luis Cane: 10-1-0
At UFC 97 in Montreal, Luis 'Banha' Cane was tested by former WEC LHW champion Steve Cantwell. In a bout where both fighters showed off spectacular chins, it was proven that neither would give way as Cane won the unanimous decision. That makes it three in a row for the Brazilian, and he can be sure his next fight is highly anticipated by the fans.
10. Thiago Silva: 13-1-0
Many people do not give Silva the credit he deserves because, simply because he lost to the now LHW Champion Machida so convincgly. I know that Machida may have his share of fans that are not impressed with his style but the guy hasn't lost a fight and neither has this guy except to the LHW Champ to give him anything less than a top 10 ranking would just not be fair and down right biased.
One 2 Watch: Jon "Bones" Jones: 9-0-0
Pretty fresh on the UFC scene Jon "Bones" Jones can be considered nothing more than exciting right now. With his flair and Unothodox style of fighting Jon has been able to win his first two fights in the UFC and one of them was by the narrowest margins against non other than Stephan Bonner. With his wit, charisma, and entertaining fight style Jon seems to be the Dan Hardy of the LHW division. His streak is so far unblemished but lets see what happens when he faces stiffer competition, if anything we certainly will be entertained.
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Posted at 02-28-2009