Everyone answers to somebody, so we, the staff at Sherdog.com, have decided to defer to our readers. “The Doggy Bag” gives you the opportunity to speak about what’s on your mind from time to time.

Our reporters, columnists, radio hosts, and editors will chime in with our answers and thoughts, so keep the emails coming.

This week, readers weigh-in on newly-crowned UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and Sherdog.com’s mixed martial arts rankings, which like most things in life, didn’t seem to please quite everyone.

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Stuck between a Brock and a hard place

“Assuming [Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira] "Minotauro" gets past Frank Mir, how do you break down a match between Nogueira and [Brock] Lesnar? I personally feel that Nogueria can handle Lesnar’s best punch on the feet, and the fight will be no contest on the floor, where the Brazilian should be able to lock up a submission within seconds. Like TJ De Santis says: “Triangle Choke!”
-- Mitch Wells

Brian Knapp, associate editor: Good question, Mitch, and your analysis seems valid. However, I think Lesnar’s submission loss to Mir lures a lot of people into underestimating his effectiveness as a ground fighter. Remember, he was playing a drum solo on Mir’s head before Steve Mazzagatti stepped in and docked him a point for an illegal blow to the back of the head at UFC 81.

Nogueira, arguably the sport’s most durable man, would certainly be the favorite should the two meet, but he was hurt badly in each of his two UFC appearances -- first by Heath Herring and again by Tim Sylvia -- and survived. If he tastes the canvas against Lesnar, he might not be so fortunate.

Make no mistake about it. Lesnar’s a once-in-a-generation athlete, a real-life incredible hulk. While the WWE stigma will likely follow him no matter what he accomplishes as a mixed martial artist, the mere fact that he’s the heavyweight champion in MMA’s most visible promotion this early in his career speaks volumes about what he brings to the table. And at age 31, he’s right in the middle of his prime. He’s only going to improve.

Having said that, I think Nogueira falls behind early, drags him into the later rounds, waits for fatigue to set in and cinches one of his patented submissions.

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Can you clowns please fill me in here? [Brock] Lesnar wins the UFC heavyweight title from the sport’s most decorated legend, and you guys have him at #5 in your heavyweight rankings? Maybe you guys missed the fact that he holds MMA’s most prestigious title, which should no doubt make him the clear #1 fighter in the world. The [Sherdog ranking] are a joke! I [expletive] dare you to publish this email as it was submitted. You have no valid argument for my complaints. I’ll never read your [expletive] “rankings” again!
-- Kris Harper

Mike Fridley, managing editor: Nice rant, Kris. It’s emails like this that make mailbags readable, so we truly appreciate your ignorance and willingness to expose yourself to public ridicule and shame.

Firstly, promotional titles have little or no bearing at all in our rankings. While I do agree that possessing a UFC divisional title makes a stronger bullet point on a respective résumé than perhaps any other accomplishment, it’s important to point out a few facts.

Let’s start with past UFC champions. Remember when Tim Sylvia and Ricco Rodriguez were considered the greatest heavyweights in the sport? Me neither. Frank Mir? Not so much. For what we compile, a title is only as good as who it was taken from, and where that ex-champion fit into the fold prior to his defeat.

The other half of the UFC heavyweight title picture, “Minotauro” Nogueira -- who holds the interim belt -- makes a much better case for a high ranking than Lesnar. If you want to argue that the UFC champion should be the clear No. 1, Nogueira is your best bet.

That said, it’s tough to give the Brazilian much consideration for the top slot when he has been on the wrong end of two one-sided beatings from our clear top dog, Fedor Emelianenko.

From my viewpoint, the Russian is by far and away the obvious choice for top billing. As a matter of fact, since launching the Sherdog Rankings in August of 2007, not one panelist has ever ranked “The Last Emperor” in any position but the lead.

Since it’s the basis to your argument, let’s not forget a 6-0 (1 NC) record against former and current UFC champions. If Fedor ever gets his shot against Lesnar or a reunion with Nogueira, you can expect that tally to upgrade to seven wins.