Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Light Heavyweight
Apr 23, 2008
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (205-185)
1. Quinton Jackson (Pictures) (29-6-0)
Currently starring in the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," "Rampage" has provided high-quality television thus far. Here's hoping for a high-quality bout in the season's culmination on July 5, when Jackson defends his UFC title against opposing coach Forrest Griffin (Pictures).
2. Dan
Henderson (Pictures) (22-6-0)
He was torn up in his 185-pound title bout against Anderson Silva, and his next move is uncertain. However, if Dan Henderson (Pictures) returns to the 205-pound division, there will be no shortage of interesting matchups -- although there may be a shortage of easy ones.
3. Keith Jardine (Pictures) (13-3-1)
Was Keith Jardine (Pictures) an opportunist capitalizing on a savvy game plan and an unmotivated opponent in September when he upset Chuck Liddell (Pictures)? "The Dean of Mean" will have a chance to prove he's no one-hit wonder in May, when he takes on Wanderlei Silva (Pictures).
Griffin has gone from TUF competitor to coach, as he leads his team against Quinton Jackson (Pictures)'s on the seventh season of the show. However, what's more important is the buildup to July's light heavyweight title clash, which should pull big numbers for Zuffa and the UFC.
5. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) (21-5)
A badly torn hamstring has put Liddell on the shelf and cancelled his main event bout with Rashad Evans (Pictures) for June's UFC 85 card in London. Already entering the twilight of his career, the injury certainly isn't a good sign for one of MMA's most battle-tested veterans.
6. Mauricio Rua (Pictures) (16-3-0)
After injuring his knee and stumbling in his UFC debut, it seemed "Shogun" had hit rock bottom. Then, with a big fight against Chuck Liddell (Pictures) looming, disaster struck again when Rua injured the same knee that had been surgically repaired just months before.
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. 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)
The 31-year-old Brazilian has lost three in a row. Given the progression of his career, few would fault him for taking a tune-up bout. Instead, the longtime Pride king will return in May to take on Keith Jardine (Pictures), who outpointed Chuck Liddell (Pictures) last September.
9. Rashad Evans (Pictures) (11-0-1)
After "Shogun" injured his knee a second time, Evans was moved into the main event role against Chuck Liddell (Pictures) only to see Liddell suffer a hamstring injury that forced him to pull out. Evans is without an official opponent for the time being, although all signs point to him facing James Irvin (Pictures).
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), but he was brought back down to earth in a blowout against Lyoto Machida (Pictures) in December. The young Cameroonian will have the chance to get back on track in May, taking on Kazuhiro Nakamura (Pictures) in an important bout for both of the former judo standouts.
1. Quinton Jackson (Pictures) (29-6-0)
Currently starring in the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," "Rampage" has provided high-quality television thus far. Here's hoping for a high-quality bout in the season's culmination on July 5, when Jackson defends his UFC title against opposing coach Forrest Griffin (Pictures).
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He was torn up in his 185-pound title bout against Anderson Silva, and his next move is uncertain. However, if Dan Henderson (Pictures) returns to the 205-pound division, there will be no shortage of interesting matchups -- although there may be a shortage of easy ones.
3. Keith Jardine (Pictures) (13-3-1)
Was Keith Jardine (Pictures) an opportunist capitalizing on a savvy game plan and an unmotivated opponent in September when he upset Chuck Liddell (Pictures)? "The Dean of Mean" will have a chance to prove he's no one-hit wonder in May, when he takes on Wanderlei Silva (Pictures).
4. Forrest Griffin (Pictures) (15-4-0)
Griffin has gone from TUF competitor to coach, as he leads his team against Quinton Jackson (Pictures)'s on the seventh season of the show. However, what's more important is the buildup to July's light heavyweight title clash, which should pull big numbers for Zuffa and the UFC.
5. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) (21-5)
A badly torn hamstring has put Liddell on the shelf and cancelled his main event bout with Rashad Evans (Pictures) for June's UFC 85 card in London. Already entering the twilight of his career, the injury certainly isn't a good sign for one of MMA's most battle-tested veterans.
6. Mauricio Rua (Pictures) (16-3-0)
After injuring his knee and stumbling in his UFC debut, it seemed "Shogun" had hit rock bottom. Then, with a big fight against Chuck Liddell (Pictures) looming, disaster struck again when Rua injured the same knee that had been surgically repaired just months before.
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. 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)
The 31-year-old Brazilian has lost three in a row. Given the progression of his career, few would fault him for taking a tune-up bout. Instead, the longtime Pride king will return in May to take on Keith Jardine (Pictures), who outpointed Chuck Liddell (Pictures) last September.
9. Rashad Evans (Pictures) (11-0-1)
After "Shogun" injured his knee a second time, Evans was moved into the main event role against Chuck Liddell (Pictures) only to see Liddell suffer a hamstring injury that forced him to pull out. Evans is without an official opponent for the time being, although all signs point to him facing James Irvin (Pictures).
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), but he was brought back down to earth in a blowout against Lyoto Machida (Pictures) in December. The young Cameroonian will have the chance to get back on track in May, taking on Kazuhiro Nakamura (Pictures) in an important bout for both of the former judo standouts.
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