Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Heavyweight
Sep 10, 2007
HEAVYWEIGHT (265-205)
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (26-1-0, 1 NC)
Easiest fighter to rank atop the polls in any division; the Russian is the most sought after free agent the sport has seen. Reigning PRIDE heavyweight champion Emelianenko is equal parts athleticism, brawn, brains, heart and skill -- a combination some have called the finest MMA has ever seen. His pace has slowed some with the demise of PRIDE, but suitors from all corners of the sport have pursued his services. The only loss of his career was brutally erased when Fedor dismantled Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (Pictures) in April 2005. There is no timetable for his return to the ring. Fedor last fought in April, armbarring undersized American Matt Lindland (Pictures) as Russian President Vladimir Putin watched from ringside in St. Petersburg, Russia.
2. Randy
Couture (Pictures) (16-8-0)
Unbelievable. If Couture never wins another fight, he won't have any problem finding his place on the pantheon of MMA greats. The 44-year-old UFC heavyweight champion dominated Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) on Aug. 25 to score his second win over a Top 10 opponent in five months. Couture is now one half of the biggest fight in the sport that can't be made -- not until Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) signs with the UFC. Couture jumps from No. 6 to the second spot, hurdling former PRIDE champion "Minotauro" Nogueira in the process.
3. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) (30-4-1, 1 NC)
Following a stellar career in PRIDE, where he owned the heavyweight title before Fedor showed up, Nogueira is now in the UFC, having recently been fortunate to out-point Heath Herring (Pictures) for the third time. Nogueira could hold the distinction of the best submission-based heavyweight in the history of MMA, but his reputation has taken a hit as he's slowed after taking several beatings. He needs to perform better than he did against Herring to regain his No. 2 spot.
Barnett had one of the busiest years ever in 2006. Fighting seven times against quality -- even world-class -- opposition, Barnett went 5-2. Despite splitting a pair of decisions with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures), and suffering yet another loss to Mirko Filipovic (Pictures), Barnett showed that he remains one of the sport's brightest young mixed martial artists. The fight-loving grappler captured the UFC heavyweight crown at the age of 24 before making his way overseas and eventually into PRIDE. Currently a free agent, Barnett would be a great acquisition for any promoter. Barnett benefits with Filipovic's loss to Kongo by moving up a slot from No. 5.
5. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) (8-2-0)
A dangerous grappler, Gonzaga showed he's more than capable of finishing a fight with his fists or his feet by knocking out Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) and breaking Randy Couture (Pictures)'s arm with a high kick. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Couture mauled him during their heavyweight title fight on Aug. 25 in Las Vegas. The previously ranked No. 3 heavyweight slips two spots.
6. Tim Sylvia (Pictures) (23-3-0)
Sylvia had an opportunity to become a star if he could defeat Randy Couture (Pictures) in March. Instead, he was dropped with the first punch and never recovered as Couture swarmed him for 25 minutes. The 6-foot-8 Sylvia is a counter puncher who carries a pretty stiff jab and heavy right hand. His decent-enough takedown defense has saved him against the likes of Jeff Monson (Pictures), but Couture was a whole different animal. Currently Sylvia is battling a case of staph infection that made its way around the heavyweight's Bettendorf, Iowa gym. Sylvia gains ground thanks to the divisional shakeup.
7. Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) (11-5-0)
The Belarusian former UFC heavyweight champ has won two in a row since losing consecutive fights to Tim Sylvia (Pictures). A knockout of Marcio Cruz (Pictures) and a decision against Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) have Arlovski part of the UFC heavyweight title picture again. An athletic fighter with proficient boxing and powerful leg-locks, Arlovski is an intimidating heavyweight when he decides to be aggressive. As the UFC heavyweight division continues to expand, Arlovski will surely have an opportunity to move up the list. Arlovski goes from No. 8 to 7.
8. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) (9-3-1)
Werdum has a tendency to under-perform, but he is a dangerous BJJ stylist and has shown an ability to survive on the feet. In his UFC debut in April, Werdum lost a unanimous decision against former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski (Pictures). He moves up from the ninth spot.
9. Cheick Kongo (Pictures) (11-3-1)
Speaking to the power of a win over a name opponent, Kongo, who is still fairly limited as a mixed martial artist, finds himself ranked after Saturday's impressive decision victory over Mirko Filipovic (Pictures). The tall, powerful striker is a danger for anyone on the feet, but quality grapplers would still have their way with the Frenchman.
10. Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) (22-6-2)
Filipovic falls hard following his second consecutive loss in the UFC. Following Sept. 8's decision loss to Cheick Kongo (Pictures), "Cro Cop" is just 1-2 since joining the UFC ranks after winning the 2006 PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix. Filipovic needs time off and a serious reevaluation of his career if he's going to approach Top 5 status again. Filipovic was ranked No. 4.
Note: Aleksander Emelianenko (Pictures) previously ranked No. 10, drops out of the rankings.
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (26-1-0, 1 NC)
Easiest fighter to rank atop the polls in any division; the Russian is the most sought after free agent the sport has seen. Reigning PRIDE heavyweight champion Emelianenko is equal parts athleticism, brawn, brains, heart and skill -- a combination some have called the finest MMA has ever seen. His pace has slowed some with the demise of PRIDE, but suitors from all corners of the sport have pursued his services. The only loss of his career was brutally erased when Fedor dismantled Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (Pictures) in April 2005. There is no timetable for his return to the ring. Fedor last fought in April, armbarring undersized American Matt Lindland (Pictures) as Russian President Vladimir Putin watched from ringside in St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Unbelievable. If Couture never wins another fight, he won't have any problem finding his place on the pantheon of MMA greats. The 44-year-old UFC heavyweight champion dominated Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) on Aug. 25 to score his second win over a Top 10 opponent in five months. Couture is now one half of the biggest fight in the sport that can't be made -- not until Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) signs with the UFC. Couture jumps from No. 6 to the second spot, hurdling former PRIDE champion "Minotauro" Nogueira in the process.
3. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) (30-4-1, 1 NC)
Following a stellar career in PRIDE, where he owned the heavyweight title before Fedor showed up, Nogueira is now in the UFC, having recently been fortunate to out-point Heath Herring (Pictures) for the third time. Nogueira could hold the distinction of the best submission-based heavyweight in the history of MMA, but his reputation has taken a hit as he's slowed after taking several beatings. He needs to perform better than he did against Herring to regain his No. 2 spot.
4. Josh
Barnett (Pictures) (20-5-0)
Barnett had one of the busiest years ever in 2006. Fighting seven times against quality -- even world-class -- opposition, Barnett went 5-2. Despite splitting a pair of decisions with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures), and suffering yet another loss to Mirko Filipovic (Pictures), Barnett showed that he remains one of the sport's brightest young mixed martial artists. The fight-loving grappler captured the UFC heavyweight crown at the age of 24 before making his way overseas and eventually into PRIDE. Currently a free agent, Barnett would be a great acquisition for any promoter. Barnett benefits with Filipovic's loss to Kongo by moving up a slot from No. 5.
5. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) (8-2-0)
A dangerous grappler, Gonzaga showed he's more than capable of finishing a fight with his fists or his feet by knocking out Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) and breaking Randy Couture (Pictures)'s arm with a high kick. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Couture mauled him during their heavyweight title fight on Aug. 25 in Las Vegas. The previously ranked No. 3 heavyweight slips two spots.
6. Tim Sylvia (Pictures) (23-3-0)
Sylvia had an opportunity to become a star if he could defeat Randy Couture (Pictures) in March. Instead, he was dropped with the first punch and never recovered as Couture swarmed him for 25 minutes. The 6-foot-8 Sylvia is a counter puncher who carries a pretty stiff jab and heavy right hand. His decent-enough takedown defense has saved him against the likes of Jeff Monson (Pictures), but Couture was a whole different animal. Currently Sylvia is battling a case of staph infection that made its way around the heavyweight's Bettendorf, Iowa gym. Sylvia gains ground thanks to the divisional shakeup.
7. Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) (11-5-0)
The Belarusian former UFC heavyweight champ has won two in a row since losing consecutive fights to Tim Sylvia (Pictures). A knockout of Marcio Cruz (Pictures) and a decision against Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) have Arlovski part of the UFC heavyweight title picture again. An athletic fighter with proficient boxing and powerful leg-locks, Arlovski is an intimidating heavyweight when he decides to be aggressive. As the UFC heavyweight division continues to expand, Arlovski will surely have an opportunity to move up the list. Arlovski goes from No. 8 to 7.
8. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) (9-3-1)
Werdum has a tendency to under-perform, but he is a dangerous BJJ stylist and has shown an ability to survive on the feet. In his UFC debut in April, Werdum lost a unanimous decision against former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski (Pictures). He moves up from the ninth spot.
9. Cheick Kongo (Pictures) (11-3-1)
Speaking to the power of a win over a name opponent, Kongo, who is still fairly limited as a mixed martial artist, finds himself ranked after Saturday's impressive decision victory over Mirko Filipovic (Pictures). The tall, powerful striker is a danger for anyone on the feet, but quality grapplers would still have their way with the Frenchman.
10. Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) (22-6-2)
Filipovic falls hard following his second consecutive loss in the UFC. Following Sept. 8's decision loss to Cheick Kongo (Pictures), "Cro Cop" is just 1-2 since joining the UFC ranks after winning the 2006 PRIDE Open-Weight Grand Prix. Filipovic needs time off and a serious reevaluation of his career if he's going to approach Top 5 status again. Filipovic was ranked No. 4.
Note: Aleksander Emelianenko (Pictures) previously ranked No. 10, drops out of the rankings.
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