By George Hernandez
The UFC Light Heavyweight division is the most stacked division in any organization in the world. With an undefeated champion Lyoto Machida (16-0) and top one loss contenders like Rashad Evans (13-1-1) and Thiago Silva (14-1), and veteran contenders like Quinton Jackson (30-7) and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (18-4).
Champion- Lyoto Machida is 8-0 in the UFC with wins over the likes of Evans, Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz (15-7-1) and a controversial win over Shogun. With a rematch against Shogun in the works Machida’s undefeated streak and title rain might be coming to a close.
Contenders- Shogun is getting another shot at Machida first after he should have won there first contest. The UFC 108 bout between Evans and Silva is looking like a number one contender match up with the winner getting the next shot. That leaves former champ Jackson having to get two more wins before he gets his next shot. Does Jackson really care about a title shot or a shot at Evans?
In the picture- Two former champions might have to roll off a couple wins before they get there next shot UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture (17-10). Couture moved back down to the light heavyweight division and beat Brandon Vera (11-4), and now is looking forward to his bout with fellow Hall of Famer Mark Coleman (16-9). After two devastating losses Forrest Griffin (17-6) took out Ortiz at UFC 106 and is looking to stay active in 2010.
Rising star- There probably isn’t any other young talent with more potential then Jon Jones (9-1). After losing his last fight by DQ but dominating the fight against Matt Hamill (8-2), Jones is looking to get back to his winning ways against Vera at UFC 111. There is also TUF 9 winner Ryan Bader (10-0) who is looking to get his shot at a big fight. Luiz Cane (10-2) lost his last fight but still has skills to be a top five light heavyweight and a champion one day. Both former WEC light heavyweight champions Brian Stann (8-2) and Steve Cantwell (7-3) can cause havoc for anyone in the division.
Outside Looking In- Former champion and UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell (21-7) wants one more shot at a title run and that will start with a bout against nemesis Ortiz later this year after they coach season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter. Liddell has lost 4 of 5. Ortiz is also looking at another title run but hasn’t won a match in almost 3 years, but does have a draw against Evans. Antionio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3) only has one UFC fight under his belt but with more performances like the one against Cane he’ll jump right into title contender status. Brandon Vera hasn’t lived up to his potential at light heavyweight. Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4) is back in the UFC and looks to become number one contender again. Hamill is still the best wrestler in the division and could make a title run with some big wins. Two loses in a row for Stephan Bonnar (11-6) doesn’t look good.
UFC Light Heavyweight Rankings
1. Lyoto Machida
2. Mauricio Rua
3. Quinton Jackson
4. Rashad Evans
5. Thiago Silva
6. Randy Couture
7. Forrest Griffin
8. Antionio Rogerio Nogueira
9. Jon Jones
10. Chuck Liddell
11. Tito Ortiz
12. Brandon Vera
13. Mark Coleman
14. Matt Hamill
15. Luiz Cane
16. Vladimir Matyushenko
17. Ryan Bader
18. Brian Stann
19. Steve Cantwell
20. Stephan Bonnar
Leave a Reply