Sportstwo.com presents: MMA Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Top Ten August 18th, 2010 10. Dan Henderson (28-8, 5-2 UFC), 205lbs. Henderson played hardball with the UFC in 2009 following his signature knockout of Michael Bisping. He attempted to negotiate a big money deal with the promotion using rival Strikeforce as leverage. Things didn't exactly go according to plan as the UFC showed him the door and his Strikeforce debut fizzled when he lost a unanimous decision to Jake Shields. Yet ultimately the move to Strikeforce was the best thing for Hendo's career. Three straight knockout victories, including an incredible TKO of former P4P king Fedor Emelianenko, has Henderson back en-route to the UFC and a possible immediate title shot. 09. Nick Diaz (25-7-0-1, 6-4 UFC), 170lbs. Former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz is riding a 10-fight winning streak that includes some of the best fights of the past three years. His slug-fest with Paul Daley in April is a surefire candidate for fight of the year, as was his two-round epic with Cyborg Santos in January. The mercurial triathlete has his plate full with Georges St-Pierre in December as its the first time he's faced a dominant wrestler since losing to Sean Sherk in 2006. 08. Jon Fitch (23-3-1-1, 13-1-1 UFC), 170lbs. At this point if you hear rumours Jon Fitch was able to finish his lunch, be skeptical. Nine straight fights have gone to decision for Fitch, who remains unbeaten in the UFC except for a lopsided loss to champion Georges St-Pierre in 2008. Fitch's long road to another title shot hit a bump in February when he drew with BJ Penn. Though many including Fitch expected an immediate rematch, shoulder surgery for Fitch sent Penn off to fight Carlos Condit, leaving Fitch without an opponent or a clear road back into contention. Fitch is likely to compete again at UFC 139 in San Jose with Rick Story as a possible challenger. 07. Dominick Cruz (18-1, 1-0 UFC), 135lbs. Seven of Dominick Cruz's last eight fights have gone to a decision, yet unlike Jon Fitch or Georges St-Pierre, Cruz hasn't been criticized for not finishing. Instead, he's been called-out for his herky-jerky fighting style that is predicated on striking from bizarre angles while moving out of danger. However, Cruz's point-fighting has propelled him to the top of a deep division and kept him there. The UFC Bantamweight Champion faces an equally fast opponent in October in Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, but will come into the bout with a significant 5" reach advantage--possibly enough to keep the energetic challenger at bay. 06. Frank Edgar (13-1-1, 8-1-1 UFC), 155lbs. Frank Edgar knows he can do better against Gray Maynard, the only fighter to defeat him in MMA, and he'll get the chance (for the second time) to redeem himself in October when the two square-off in Houston, Texas. The 29-year old was able to recover from a brutal first round against Maynard in January to muster a draw--an improvement over the loss he suffered at Maynard's hands in April of 2008. The UFC Lightweight Champion is perhaps the most vulnerable champion in the UFC with several legitimate contenders swirling around him at the moment in Dennis Siver, Melvin Guillard, Ben Henderson, Clay Guida, Donald Cerrone, Jim Miller, and others waiting to get their chance, yet the diminutive lightweight seems ready for anything. 05. Jon Jones (13-1, 7-1 UFC), 205lbs. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones shocked the MMA world in March when he crushed incumbent champion Shogun Rua, becoming one of the UFC's youngest ever champions. Jones' rapid rise through the light heavyweight rankings has been justified by his performances every step of the way. The ever-improving Rochester, New York native faces veteran Rampage Jackson in September but has opened as a 5-to-1 favourite. There is no limit on what Jones can achieve in MMA if his trajectory remains constant. 04. Cain Velasquez (9-0, 7-0 UFC), 265lbs. For Velasquez, each new fight is his toughest to date. The UFC Heavyweight Champion entered the UFC with only two professional bouts and has graduated to top competition in record time. The undefeated 29-year old has made short work of his UFC opponents thus far, finishing six of seven, but is in tough against 26-year old Brazilian boxer Junior dos Santos in November. Velasquez is likely to rely on his wrestling and fantastic conditioning to see him through the bout. 03. Jose Aldo (19-1, 1-0 UFC), 145lbs. UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo battered top contender Mark Hominick in April, running his winning streak up to 12 but showing some chinks in his armour as well. Aldo tired in the bout allowing himself to be dominated in the fifth round by an injured and half-blind Hominick. Aldo later blamed a difficult weight cut and preexisting injuries. Unfortunately for Aldo's competition, there are few fighters in the featherweight division able to survive in a fight with him long enough to exploit any possible conditioning issues he may have. Aldo faces Kenny Florian in October, a taller and more experienced fighter, though one he will still be a heavy favourite to defeat. 02. Georges St-Pierre (22-2, 16-2 UFC), 170lbs. Fans have started to turn on GSP because five of his last six fights have gone to decision, the exception being a four-round fight with BJ Penn that was also headed to a decision before being called-off by Penn's corner men. The reigning, defending UFC Welterweight Champion has been dominant but his killer instinct has faded. This is at least partially the responsibility of his shell-shocked opponents, who go into defensive mode almost immediately and stay there, which makes GSP's upcoming bout with Nick Diaz that much more compelling. Diaz is a straightforward fighter who isn't afraid to lose. St-Pierre is likely to use his wrestling and top-game to smother Diaz but the challenger has a great deal to offer the champ from his guard. 01. Anderson Silva (30-4, 13-0 UFC), 185lbs. The reigning UFC Middleweight Champion had a scare against Chael Sonnen last year but rebounded with a spectacular knockout win over Vitor Belfort in April. Competition for the 36-year old continues to wain at 185-lbs., yet the champion is reluctant to entertain fights with Shogun Rua or Jon Jones. His upcoming bout with Yushin Okami will be his first opportunity to avenge a loss, albeit a disqualification one. Silva is quickly reaching the point in his career where he will have to decide whether to retire on top or keep going until his competition catches-up with him--if that is even possible.
Notable omissions: Heavyweight: Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem Light Heavyweight: Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson Middleweight: Yushin Okami, Chael Sonnen Welterweight: Jake Shields, Ben Askren Lightweight: Gilbert Melendez, Gray Maynard, Clay Guida Featherweight: Chad Mendes, Hatsu Hioki, Mark Hominick Bantamweight: Joe Benavidez, Demetrious Johnson
Join the club. Excellent list speeds. JDS and Rashad are on the cusp as well but I think your list is perfect as is.
