Sherdog's top 10

Here's some pretty good rankings, still don't agree with Fedor at the top, he hasn't fought a HW of note in over a year, but that should change soon.

HEAVYWEIGHT (265-205)

1. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (27-1-0, 1 NC)
After quickly submitting Hong Man Choi (Pictures), Emelianenko may see his next competition come against another K-1 standout. M-1 Global is currently considering former Fedor foe and three-time running K-1 World Grand Prix champion Semmy Schilt (Pictures) as a candidate for the Russian's next competition. More likely, however, is a showdown in May against former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson (Pictures).

2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) (31-4-1, 1 NC)
In a vintage performance, Nogueira took 10 minutes' worth of championship abuse from Tim Sylvia (Pictures) before submitting the two-time UFC champ in the third round. With the victory, Nogueira became the only man to wear both Pride and UFC title belts, and he regains the No. 2 spot in the rankings. If "Minotauro" can duplicate his performance against other top-10 foes, he may regain the top heavyweight status he once owned.

3. Randy Couture (Pictures) (16-8-0)
Just when it seemed Couture couldn't capture any more headlines in 2007 after his underdog demolitions of Tim Sylvia (Pictures) and Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures), "The Natural" resigned from the UFC. A fight against Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) seems impossible, and Couture's next battle will be a legal one, as he attempts to get out of his contract with Zuffa. With Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures)'s win over Tim Sylvia (Pictures), Nogueira regains his former two spot, while Couture slips to three.

4. Tim Sylvia (Pictures) (24-4-0)
Through 10 minutes, Sylvia worked a perfect game plan in battering Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures). However, Nogueira made the most of his opportunity and swept and submitted the former UFC champion. Still a top heavyweight who may have title chances to come, Sylvia's route back to a title shot is anything but certain.

5. Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) (11-5-0)
After being held hostage by his promoter for most of 2007, the former UFC champ will see action in March against undefeated heavyweight prospect Jake O'Brien (Pictures). The bout will be relegated to the prelims, though, and win or lose, it could spell the end of the Belarusian in the Octagon. Nonetheless, Arlovski rises from sixth to fifth in the rankings after Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures)'s loss.

6. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) (10-3-1)
Werdum successfully rebounded from a woeful Octagon debut in April against Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) with a well-earned stoppage over Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) in January. Now, as Dana White has suggested, Werdum could have the opportunity to avenge a loss and snag UFC gold if a title bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) is inked.

7. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) (8-3-0)
After his devastating knockout of Mirko Filipovic (Pictures), many thought Gonzaga was the next UFC champion. However, Randy Couture (Pictures) brought him back down into the atmosphere, and then Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) slammed him back down to earth with a second-round stoppage in January. It remains to be seen if Gonzaga will be able to replicate his win over "Cro Cop" in the near future.

8. Cheick Kongo (Pictures) (11-3-1)
While no one can take away his win over "Cro Cop," one can certainly debate how the limited Kongo will fare with experienced grapplers in the future. The best way for the Frenchman to end such discussions would be to take a win over Heath Herring (Pictures) in March.

9. Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) (22-6-2)
"Cro Cop" is just 1-2 since joining the UFC ranks after winning the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix. After a considerable hiatus, especially for the active Croatian's standards, Zuffa has asked him to make an immediate decision regarding his future in the Octagon.

10. Ben Rothwell (Pictures) (29-5-0)
While Rothwell is unproven against top competition, the 26-year-old Miletich product is riding a 13-fight winning streak, including wins over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) and recently crowned IFL champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). With his relationship with the IFL looking a tad rocky, many are calling for Rothwell to take the jump in competition in 2008.

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (205-185)

1. Quinton Jackson (Pictures) (29-6-0)
"Rampage" has worked past the troubles that haunted him after a tough series of fights in Pride, the last of which saw him go down in defeat to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. The exciting and flamboyant UFC light heavyweight put himself on the map by blasting out Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in less than two minutes. He followed that with a hard-fought victory over Dan Henderson (Pictures) on Sept. 8. Next up, Jackson looks to become a crossover star, as he'll coach alongside Forrest Griffin (Pictures) as part of the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

2. Dan Henderson (Pictures) (22-6-0)
Undersized for the division, Dan Henderson (Pictures) is not a known name amongst many casual MMA fans. A scrappy former Olympic wrestler who has worked hard to integrate a dangerous striking game punctuated by one of the best right hands in the sport, Henderson has continually defied the odds against heavier opposition. His 25-minute war against Jackson is indicative of how tough the 37-year-old Henderson can be. In March, Henderson will drop to middleweight for a meeting with UFC champion Anderson Silva.

3. Keith Jardine (Pictures) (13-3-1)
Proof that a good game plan and a quality fight camp can get you far in MMA, Keith Jardine (Pictures) enjoyed the benefits of both on Sept. 22 in out-pointing former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures). Like Liddell, "The Dean of Mean" was returning to the ring for the first time since suffering a brutal knockout loss, but Jardine showed no ill effects in winning.

4. Forrest Griffin (Pictures) (15-4-0)
An enormous win over "Shogun" validated Griffin in September. Now he will have the chance to add to both his celebrity and his résumé when he takes on a coaching role on the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which will culminate in a title clash against Quinton Jackson (Pictures). Silva's loss to Liddell allows Griffin to rise one slot, from fifth to fourth.

5. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) (21-5)
After back-to-back disappointing losses to Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Keith Jardine (Pictures), Liddell was in a must-win situation in his long-awaited showdown with Wanderlei Silva (Pictures). "The Iceman" turned in one of the best performances of his career, punching his way to a dominant decision against "The Axe Murderer." Next up the pipe may be an equally alluring bout with another top Brazilian in Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

6. Mauricio Rua (Pictures) (16-3-0)
After a dismal effort in September against Forrest Griffin (Pictures), many thought "Shogun" was in for a softball in his second UFC bout. Instead, the former Pride GP champ has signed on to face Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in another star-laden fight in arguably MMA's most illustrious division.

7. Lyoto Machida (Pictures) (12-0-0)
An undefeated record, years of hype and a riddle of a fight style have gained Machida attention, and his recent domination of a surging Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) really put him on the map. However, Machida's path to his deserved title shot now seemingly runs through former UFC poster boy and champion Tito Ortiz (Pictures).

8. Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) (31-8-1, 1 NC)
Silva fought gamely in losing a decisive decision to Chuck Liddell (Pictures) on Dec. 29. The 31-year-old Brazilian has lost three in a row, but there are still plenty of interesting matchups for "The Axe Murderer" heading into 2008.

9. Rashad Evans (Pictures) (11-0-1)
Evans' close decision win over Michael Bisping (Pictures) may not have gained him many fans or greatly increased his stature in the division. However, he has moved into position to challenge another undefeated up-and-coming light heavyweight in Thiago Silva (Pictures). If the bout materializes, it could put either fighter in the thick of things in a very deep 205-pound talent pool.

10. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) (4-2-0)
Africa's top mixed martial artist exploded upon the world stage in 2007 with early knockouts of then top-10 light heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) and Ricardo Arona (Pictures). Whether it was a case of too much too soon, or just being matched against a special kind of opponent, Sokoudjou was crushed by Machida in his UFC debut on Dec. 29. At 23 years old, Sokoudjou has all the time in the world to evolve into an elite fighter.

 

MIDDLEWEIGHT (185-170)

1. Anderson Silva (20-4)
After a string of stirring victories that earned him the title of the sport's top fighter in the eyes of many, Silva will have an opportunity to further cement his status in a March bout against Dan Henderson (Pictures). In Henderson, Silva meets another pound-for-pound stalwart who could possess the staying power to test "The Spider" in a way he hasn't been challenged in quite a while. Here's to hoping a potential classic delivers.

2. Paulo Filho (Pictures) (16-0-0)
The good: Filho knocked off a very solid and worthy opponent in his Dec. 12 WEC title defense in Chael Sonnen (Pictures). The bad: He looked positively awful doing it, and the fight's finish came amid considerable controversy. The ugly: The fight has led to many fans and pundits alike questioning whether Filho is nearly as talented as his beefy record says. It's a question that could get answered when he rematches Sonnen in March.

3. Rich Franklin (Pictures) (22-3-0, 1 NC)
Following another destruction at the hands of Anderson Silva, Franklin will attempt to get back into the saddle in March against solid but unspectacular competition in Travis Lutter (Pictures). Like Franklin, Lutter has firsthand knowledge of the division's kingpin, having been another victim of Silva last February. With Lindland out of the picture, Franklin jumps up one spot to third.

4. Nathan Marquardt (Pictures) (26-7-2)
Although Marquardt was overwhelmed in his UFC title bid in July by Anderson Silva, the multiple-time King of Pancrase looked sterling in his destruction of Jeremy Horn (Pictures). The win puts Marquardt back in the mix at 185, and with the subtraction of "The Law," Marquardt rises from five to four.

5. Robbie Lawler (Pictures) (16-4-0)
Injury again nixed a proposed Dec. 15 bout in Icon Sport with Hawaiian banger Kala Kolohe Hose (Pictures). Here's hoping that the third time is the charm for getting this fight done and that one of ProElite's top talents can stay healthy for action in the new year. Lawler also gains one spot, heading from six to five.

6. Yushin Okami (Pictures) (21-4-0)
Following his domination of Jason MacDonald (Pictures) in October, rumors immediately surfaced that Okami was done in the UFC and that Zuffa had no interest in re-signing him. Thankfully, that isn't the case, and the Japanese standout will look to ruin the Octagon return of former champ Evan Tanner (Pictures) in March. Okami also gains a spot, moving from seventh to sixth.

7. Frank Trigg (Pictures) (16-6-0)
Not the most poignant victory in the world, "Twinkle Toes" made easy work of Edwin Dewees (Pictures) on the Dec. 15 HDNet Fights card. What's more important is that Jason "Mayhem" Miller knocked off Tim Kennedy (Pictures), setting up a quality rematch between the two fighters early next year. Their first encounter was the bout that brought Trigg back to prominence, as he literally stomped out MMA's cult hero in December 2006.

8. Yoshihiro Akiyama (Pictures) (10-1-0, 2 NC)
While there is much scrutiny around potential political motivations being the impetus for overturning Akiyama's bout with Kazuo Misaki (Pictures), the fact remains that the governing powers overturned the bout. However deserved, Akiyama moves ahead of Misaki and takes the eighth spot following the invalidation of his loss. For the sake of propriety, hopefully a rematch happens down the line.

9. Kazuo Misaki (Pictures) (18-8-2, 1 NC)
Talk about a rollercoaster: after his improbable and arguably tainted PRIDE Grand Prix run in 2006, Misaki began 2007 with high hopes, and was instead destroyed by Frank Trigg (Pictures). Misaki appeared to turn in a performance that embodied the brand of gameness he's known for, getting up from a brutal knockdown to put Yoshihiro Akiyama (Pictures) to sleep in vicious fashion. However, Akiyama protested, alleging that Misaki finished with an illegal soccer kick. The result was overturned and the win erased.

10. Jorge Santiago (Pictures) (16-7-0)
With the subtractions of Lindland and Misaki, Santiago debuts at No. 10. The Brazilian seemed relegated to gatekeeper status after being ousted from the UFC on two losses. Since then Santiago has went on a four-fight win streak, including respectable wins over Jeremy Horn (Pictures) and Andrei Semenov (Pictures) anchored by a fantastic win over the ever-tough Trevor Prangley (Pictures) to capture Strikeforce's one-night tournament in November.

 

WELTERWEIGHT (170-155)

1. Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) (15-2-0)
GSP has the top spot in these rankings but not the UFC 170-pound championship. In order to hold his place and regain the UFC championship, St. Pierre will need to defeat Matt Serra (Pictures) in their rematch April 19. If nothing else, he will have a raucous, partisan crowd behind him, as the two do battle in Montreal's Bell Centre.

2. Matt Serra (Pictures) (9-4-0)
Serra's chance at an epic year was erased when he was forced to pull out of his slated Dec. 29 title defense against Matt Hughes (Pictures). Then GSP stepped in and destroyed Hughes. However, Serra still owns the UFC welterweight title, and as soon as he's ready to go, he'll have the chance to prove lightning can strike twice.

3. Matt Hughes (Pictures) (41-6-0)
The sport's most celebrated welterweight is nearing the end. Hughes was completely destroyed by Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) in their rubber match on Dec. 29. With only a couple of fights left, it will be interesting to see what Zuffa proposes for the former champ before his retirement.

4. Jon Fitch (Pictures) (15-2-0, 1 NC)
Fitch, who openly states he wants to face top opposition no matter the challenge, got his wish with veteran Akihiro Gono (Pictures). However, when a broken hand forced Gono from their March 1 bout, Fitch didn't have to go slumming for an opponent. Now he will face tough Team Quest product Chris Wilson, who has recently taken wins over the likes of Derrick Noble (Pictures), Rory Markham (Pictures) and Jay Hieron (Pictures).

5. Josh Koscheck (Pictures) (9-2-0)
After wanting to get back into action as soon as possible following his loss to St. Pierre in August, Koscheck will finally make his return March 1. He will find opposition in submission-savvy upstart Dustin Hazelett (Pictures), who rides a three-bout win streak into their bout.

6. Diego Sanchez (Pictures) (17-2-0)
Sanchez has opted to stay at 170 pounds following losses to Koscheck and Fitch. His road to recovery in the 170-pound class starts March 1, when he'll meet Swedish standout David Bielkheden (Pictures).

7. Karo Parisyan (Pictures) (18-4-0)
If Parisyan wanted an easy bout to ensure a better chance at getting a UFC title shot, he sure didn't get it. Instead, the Armenian will meet Brazilian dynamo Thiago Alves (Pictures) in what could be an early fight of the year candidate on the televised main card of the stacked April 2 Ultimate Fight Night card.

8. Jake Shields (Pictures) (20-4-1)
With free agency looming, Shields inked a long-term deal with ProElite and then quickly dispatched of a quality opponent in Mike Pyle (Pictures). The next stop for Shields is an EliteXC title match versus battle-tested welterweight Drew Fickett (Pictures) on March 29.

9. Shinya Aoki (Pictures) (12-2-0)
Aoki's tougher-than-expected Dec. 31 bout against South Korean silver medal judoka Bu Kyung Jung (Pictures) took place at 154 pounds, where he figures to spend more of his time. However, Aoki's résumé as a welterweight is still sterling, and he should return to the division to defend his Shooto world title at 168 pounds in early 2008.

10. Carlos Condit (Pictures) (21-4-0)
The exciting up-and-coming Condit will get the star treatment as he puts his WEC title on the line Feb. 13. He gets the chance to avenge the first loss of his career against Carlo Prater (Pictures) in front of a partisan crowd in Condit's native New Mexico, where their first bout took place in September 2004. Best of all, it's on cable TV.

 

LIGHTWEIGHT (155-145)

1. Takanori Gomi (Pictures) (27-3-0, 1 ND)
After nearly a year of intense scrutiny over his notorious bout with Nick Diaz (Pictures) and mounting criticisms over how good Pride fighters really are, Gomi signed with upstart World Victory Road and will see action on the promotion's March 5 debut card. Gomi's ability to continue to reign as the sport's top lightweight will hinge on his ability to fight and beat top opponents in a rapidly changing division.

2. Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) (14-1-1)
After fans were robbed of a JZ-Aoki bout on New Year's Eve, the bout is scheduled to take place in March under the watch of K-1 and HERO'S backer Fight Entertainment Group. However, who puts it on and where it happens is unimportant, so long as the much-anticipated bout actually happens this time.

3. Mitsuhiro Ishida (Pictures) (16-3-1)
Undersized and predictable as a fighter, many thought Ishida had peaked with a fortuitous win over a streaking Marcus Aurelio. Instead, "The Endless Fighter" marched out to the ring and outwrestled the undefeated and highly regarded Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) for a unanimous decision -- the biggest win of his career. Like many former Pride fighters, what's next for Ishida is uncertain, but hopefully 2008 can see him against some noteworthy competition.

4. B.J. Penn (Pictures) (12-4-1)
There is little left to be said about B.J. Penn (Pictures)'s UFC lightweight title capture over Joe Stevenson -- the Hawaiian's first win over a top-10 lightweight in four years. He fought in the fashion most hoped he would for the duration of his career. With the win, Penn jumps from eighth to fourth in the rankings. If the new "Hilo Rude Boy" shows up with similar motivation, his forthcoming bout with Sean Sherk (Pictures) could be an Octagon classic. A win over Sherk would almost certainly propel Penn to the top of the division.

5. Gilbert Melendez (Pictures) (13-1-0)
In what looked to be a tough but winnable contest for Melendez, "El Nino" dropped a decision to Mitushiro Ishida in a back-and-forth bout of scrambles. While Melendez has already asked for a rematch, he'll first have to defend his Strikeforce crown in March. With the rise of "The Prodigy," Melendez falls from fourth to fifth.

6. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) (20-4-2)
After a year away from the ring, Kawajiri looked like the "Crusher" of old as he pounded Brazilian wildman Luiz Azeredo (Pictures) to a dominant unanimous decision on the Yarennoka card. Here's to seeing more of the former Shooto world champ in 2008. With Penn's leap into the top four, Kawajiri falls from fifth to sixth.

7. Vitor Ribeiro (Pictures) (19-2)
"Shaolin" had successful eye surgery in September following his destruction at the hands of Gesias Calvancante (Pictures). For Ribeiro, recovery likely can't come fast enough to allow him to erase the memories of his dreadful performance in the HERO'S semifinal. "Shaolin" falls from sixth to seventh.

8. Sean Sherk (Pictures) (32-2-1)
With his steroid saga behind him, Sherk can now focus on his opportunity to regain the UFC lightweight title he believes should still be his. The ever-game fighter faces an enormous challenge against the ultra-talented Penn in what should be a hotly anticipated encounter. For the time being, Penn's rise in the division drops Sherk from seventh to eighth.

9. Joe Stevenson (28-8-0)
After earning a well-deserved title opportunity in January, Stevenson was dismantled. Thankfully, there are still dozens of compelling bouts for the solid Stevenson, though another title shot in the UFC's 155-pound class could be a ways away.

10. Frank Edgar (Pictures) (8-0-0)
One of the most pleasant surprises of 2007, Edgar burst onto the scene in February with an instant classic and fight-of-the-year candidate against then-undefeated Tyson Griffin. The New Jersey standout will look to push his record to 9-0 against fellow undefeated wrestler Gray Maynard (Pictures) in April.

 

FEATHERWEIGHT (145-135)

1. Urijah Faber (Pictures) (20-1-0)
For a while, Faber was seen as the world's top featherweight based on talent and visibility rather than knocking off top competitors. "The California Kid" finally got the chance to validate his hype, and he passed the test with flying colors by choking out Jeff Curran (Pictures) in the second round of his Dec. 12 WEC title defense. With the victory, Faber finally earned the top spot in the rankings. However, heavy is the head that wears the crown, and with the likes of a rejuvenated Jens Pulver (Pictures) and relocated Hiroyuki Takaya (Pictures) in the cage, Faber will have no shortage of challenges.

2. Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) (11-5-2)
One of the biggest surprises of 2007, March 28 will see Tamura make the first defense of his Shooto world title against Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures). The bout will also give Tamura the chance to erase another defeat from his résumé, having lost to Kadowaki in March 2005.

3. Takeshi Inoue (Pictures) (14-2-0)
In a thoroughly entertaining but ultimately one-sided affair last month, Lion Takeshi showed the form that made him Shooto world champion while dominating tricky veteran Katsuya Toida (Pictures) for the meaningless Shooto 143-pound Pacific Rim title. However, a rubber match with Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) will have to wait. Tamura defends his title against Kadowaki, while Lion sees undercard action on the March 28 bill.

4. Jeff Curran (Pictures) (29-9-1)
"The Big Frog" had a great first round but ultimately fell prey to Urijah Faber (Pictures) in their Dec. 12 WEC title bout. A highly skilled vet at only 30 years old, Curran is nowhere near the end of the road as a fighter, but the miles ahead may be much harder with the influx of talent into the WEC.

5. Hiroyuki Takaya (Pictures) (9-4-1)
Takaya has looked sensational in his return to the featherweight division, icing Jarrod Card (Pictures) and Antonio Carvalho (Pictures). He now has the enormous chance to flaunt his skills stateside, starting first with a guaranteed gunfight on Feb. 13 against Leonard Garcia (Pictures).

6. Antonio Carvalho (Pictures) (10-3-0)
Carvalho came out the loser in his toe-to-toe war with Takaya in November, but now he figures to be the favorite in the 145-pound Cage Force tournament that GCM has lined up for '08. Carvalho's first action of the year comes in April, when he'll meet sturdy Japanese veteran Yuji Hoshino (Pictures).

7. Masakazu Imanari (Pictures) (13-5-1)
Imanari will make the first defense of his Cage Rage title March 8. He'll head back into hostile territory to face Chute Boxe product Jean Silva (Pictures) in London. MMA's leglocking authority may also have to make another title defense in the near future in Deep. Here's to solid competition.

8. Yoshiro Maeda (Pictures) (22-4-2)
A longtime top featherweight, Maeda is making the move stateside and will cut down to 135 pounds for his WEC debut on Feb. 13. The very skilled Maeda has failed miserably under pressure in the past, and against a very reputable foe in Charlie Valencia (Pictures), he'll more than certainly have his work cut out for him.

9. Jong Man Kim (Pictures) (3-2-2, 1 NC)
After a breakout year with solid results against the likes of Hatsu Hioki (Pictures) and Yoshiro Maeda (Pictures), Kim will have the chance to prove he's more than a fluke in GCM's 145-pound Cage Force tournament. First up on Feb. 11, he'll meet an opponent even more tenacious than himself in wildchild "Wicky Akiyo" Akiyo Nishiura (Pictures).

10. Hatsu Hioki (Pictures) (14-3-1)
After a very disappointing 2007, Hioki opened 2008 in stellar fashion, destroying eccentric veteran Katsuya Toida (Pictures) over two rounds on Jan. 26. However, Hioki will need to impress against more sterling competition to regain the stature he previously held in a thickening 145-pound class.