Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Flyweight
Dec 18, 2007
FLYWEIGHT (125-115)
1. Shinichi Kojima (Pictures) (8-2-4)
A miserable year for the Shooto world champion got even worse at Shooto's super-card at Yoyogi in November. BJ said it was his dream to hold both the Shooto world 123-pound and 132-pound titles. He tried to take his first step toward that goal against 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas in his 132-pound debut. The young Andre Pederneiras pupil was a step ahead of BJ, who has looked dreadful since leaving Hiroyuki Abe's AACC and linking up with Shuichiro Katsumura (Pictures) and his Katsumura Dojo. With his next 123-pound title defense in the upcoming months, something drastic will have to happen, or BJ will likely be beltless.
2. Yasuhiro Urushitani (Pictures) (14-3-5)
A rough year got rougher for Urushitani this month, when he got a much tougher-than-expected tune-up against Guamanian import Jesse Taitano (Pictures). Though he controlled most of the bout, a knockdown seemingly swayed the judges who ruled the bout a majority draw, with only one card going to the deserving Urushitani. Thankfully, it appears Urushitani will get his opportunity to take the belt he should already own against BJ Kojima in the Shooto ring in '08.
3. Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) (18-4-3)
The longtime ruler of the 123-pounders wasn't able to repeat his December 2003 win over Urushitani. He will need to work his way back up the ladder to earn another shot at BJ or Urushitani. However, the positive for Mamoru is that while BJ and Urushitani may offer difficult tests for him, he is still head and shoulders above the rest of the weight class.
4. Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) (7-3-2)
Having one of the best 2007 campaigns of any pro Shootor, Shoujou ran his record to 3-0 this year with a commanding decision victory over ever-tough veteran Junji Ikoma (Pictures) last month. The always-exciting Shoujou is now in the thick of things in Shooto's 123-pound division and should provide fantastic scraps for years to come.
5. Rambaa Somdet (Pictures) (4-2)
Surreal to say the least, former Thai stadium standout Rambaa "M-16" Somdet, after nearly five years away from MMA, returned to the ring earlier this year. First he demolished 115-pounder Takehiro Harusaki (Pictures) effortlessly in July. Then this month he destroyed a streaking Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures), threatening with both submission attempts and vicious strikes before forcing a doctor's stoppage after the second round. While it's unclear if Somdet will continue campaigning at 115 or 123 pounds, the colorful and unorthodox fighter has commanded the attention of fans with his last two wins.
1. Shinichi Kojima (Pictures) (8-2-4)
A miserable year for the Shooto world champion got even worse at Shooto's super-card at Yoyogi in November. BJ said it was his dream to hold both the Shooto world 123-pound and 132-pound titles. He tried to take his first step toward that goal against 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy Eduardo "Dudu" Dantas in his 132-pound debut. The young Andre Pederneiras pupil was a step ahead of BJ, who has looked dreadful since leaving Hiroyuki Abe's AACC and linking up with Shuichiro Katsumura (Pictures) and his Katsumura Dojo. With his next 123-pound title defense in the upcoming months, something drastic will have to happen, or BJ will likely be beltless.
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A rough year got rougher for Urushitani this month, when he got a much tougher-than-expected tune-up against Guamanian import Jesse Taitano (Pictures). Though he controlled most of the bout, a knockdown seemingly swayed the judges who ruled the bout a majority draw, with only one card going to the deserving Urushitani. Thankfully, it appears Urushitani will get his opportunity to take the belt he should already own against BJ Kojima in the Shooto ring in '08.
3. Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) (18-4-3)
The longtime ruler of the 123-pounders wasn't able to repeat his December 2003 win over Urushitani. He will need to work his way back up the ladder to earn another shot at BJ or Urushitani. However, the positive for Mamoru is that while BJ and Urushitani may offer difficult tests for him, he is still head and shoulders above the rest of the weight class.
4. Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) (7-3-2)
Having one of the best 2007 campaigns of any pro Shootor, Shoujou ran his record to 3-0 this year with a commanding decision victory over ever-tough veteran Junji Ikoma (Pictures) last month. The always-exciting Shoujou is now in the thick of things in Shooto's 123-pound division and should provide fantastic scraps for years to come.
5. Rambaa Somdet (Pictures) (4-2)
Surreal to say the least, former Thai stadium standout Rambaa "M-16" Somdet, after nearly five years away from MMA, returned to the ring earlier this year. First he demolished 115-pounder Takehiro Harusaki (Pictures) effortlessly in July. Then this month he destroyed a streaking Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures), threatening with both submission attempts and vicious strikes before forcing a doctor's stoppage after the second round. While it's unclear if Somdet will continue campaigning at 115 or 123 pounds, the colorful and unorthodox fighter has commanded the attention of fans with his last two wins.
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