Light Heavyweight 2-2-09

Rank

Fighter

Comments

1.

Rashad Evans

The UFC still doesn't have an unassailable ruler at 205 pounds, but after what Sugar did to Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, you can't really argue that he doesn't deserve to be on top for now. And between his powerful hands and wrestling ability, we like his chances against Quinton Jackson or Lyoto Machida, whoever comes first.

2.

Lyoto Machida

14-0, and he's only lost one round in his entire career. Call him a stand-'n'-bland fighter if you must, but you can't argue with success. Machida's flawless technique allows him to strike when he knows he'll make contact, while avoiding nearly all of his opponents' strikes and takedowns. Chase him around the cage and you'll find yourself on the embarrassing end of a karate foot-sweep. Let your guard down for even a moment and you're toast.

3.

Quinton Jackson

Was he in rough emotional shape before the Forrest Griffin fight last July? Has he been able to lay his personal demons to rest at Wolfslair Academy, far away from Juanito Ibarra and his former trainer's alleged betrayals? It's hard to make a firm judgment on Rampage's recovery until his next outing, but his lights-out KO of Wanderlei Silva in December must have lifted a tremendous weight off his shoulders. Jackson is back, and ready to get his wolf on, so to speak. Getting in hook-range of this guy is a bad, bad idea.

4.

Forrest Griffin

 

5.

Mauricio Rua

To put it gently, Shogun's performance against Mark Coleman at UFC 93 was fucking appalling. Injuries had put him out of the game for too long, and his gas tank was just as inadequate as the exhausted 44-year-old who he was facing. Rua's upcoming fight with Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 is a battle to see which fighter can recapture some of their ferocious potential — and which one will no longer be thought of as an elite 205-pounder.

6.

Chuck Liddell

7.

Wanderlei Silva

It's not like any of the four guys Wandy lost to in his last five fights were scrubs, but it makes you wonder if his top-competitor days are finally over. Silva looked thin coming into his most recent match against Rampage, fought tentatively, and blacked out after the first hard punch. Is "World's Scariest Gatekeeper" the future that awaits him?

8.

Keith Jardine

 

9.

Renato Sobral

Babalu is the definition of "crafty veteran." And he's experiencing another career peak lately, winning Strikeforce's light-heavyweight championship and scoring his second win in Affliction; he's only lost twice in the last six years. He edges out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira for being a little more active over the last few years, and for holding wins over the last two guys who beat Lil' Nog (Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Mauricio Rua).

10.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

 

See previous rankings (published January 25, 2009)