MidValleySports.Com

By George Hernandez

With MMA’s Light Heavyweight division being so stacked it was impossible to keep it at 20 so I bumped it up to 25. You’ll still see the regulars at the top like “Shogun”, Rampage, and Griffin. Also I included my Top 10 area amateur fighters. These are fighters that have been on MIDVALLEYSPORTS.COM and that I have seen fight. If you have a fighter or fighters that you think should be included on this list email me at MVS_FightGame@yahoo.com.

Top 25 MMA Light Heavyweights:

1. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-4, UFC LHW Champ) – Showed the Machida loss was a fluke; now looks to take out Evans.

2. Rashad Evans (18-1-1) – After a lackluster win over Rampage, Evans gets his shot at the red hot champ “Shogun”.

3. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (30-8) – A disappointing loss to Evans keeps him out of the title match but a win will put him right back in it against “Lil Nog“ at UFC 119. The winner faces winner of Shogun/Evans.

4. Lyoto Machida (16-1) – After suffering the first loss of his career will “The Dragon” bounce back?

5. Forrest Griffin (17-6) – Win over Ortiz put him back on track for another big bout and then a title shot.

6. Muhammed Lawal (7-0, Strikeforce LHW Champ) – Could show he’s the best in the world if he was in the UFC’s light heavyweight division; Will face “Feijao in first title defense.

7. Randy Couture (18-10) – Toney isn’t going to get him any higher in the rankings, but it will be his third straight win.

8. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-3) – After almost losing to Brilz some of the “Lil Nog” hype was lost but he’s a Nogueira and he’ll come back with a vengeance. A win over Rampage at 119 means he’ll get a shot at the winner of Shogun/Evans.

9. Rich Franklin (28-5) – Wins over Wandy and Liddell in his last three fights could put him closer to a title shot then people think.

10. Gegard Mousasi (28-3-1) – After losing his belt to “King Mo” Mousasi will try to get back on track in the Dream light heavyweight grand prix.

11. Thiago Silva (14-2) – Could be the light heavyweight wild card after an injury cost him a win against Evans, maybe he should be getting the title shot.

12. Jon Jones (10-1) – The most hyped fighter in the UFC gets a real test against Matushenko at UFC on Versus 2.

13. Ryan Bader (11-0) – Bader looks better every fight as he’s worked his way to the top tier of fighters.

14. Matt Hamill (9-2) – With the best wrestling in the division and striking getting better every bout Hamill could beat anybody in the division.

15. Vladimir Matushenko (24-4) – Hardcore MMA fans know “The Janitor” is a great fighter. A win over Jones would prove how good he is.

16. Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (9-2) – After training with the Nogueira’s and Anderson Silva, does anything else need to be said? He gets first crack at “King Mo”.

17. Chuck Liddell (21-8) – Three straight knockout losses to top light heavyweights, but “The Iceman” is still a legend and can knockout anyone in the game.

18. Cyrille Diabate (16-6-1) – Knockout win over former top prospect Cane shoots him up the rankings.

19. Jason Brilz (18-3-1) – Great showing against “Lil Nog”. Some think he should have got the W.

20. Luiz Cane (10-3) – Two straight losses put him in the bottom of the UFC’s food chain.

21. Brandon Vera (11-5) – What Vera will show up the next time?

22. Richardo Arona (14-5) – Could he be the next to sign with the UFC?

23. Tito Ortiz (16-7-1) – Backing out of his fight with Liddell looked like a good choice. What’s next for the former champ?

24. Mike Kyle (15-7-1) – Can never count out a puncher like “MAC”.

25. Keith Jardine (15-9-1) – Released after four straight UFC losses, could be a great pick up for Strikeforce.

Top 10 Area MMA Amateur Fighters:

1. Chris Fajardo (Ring of Fire) – Has shown his well rounded skills in all of his fights and is ready to make the next step after the IFS tournament.

2. Max Garibay (Ring of Fire) – Probably didn’t see the best “Beanie Boy” at Quake in the Cage but still pulled off the win against at tough opponent.

3. Edward Chavez (Submission Factory) – Fighting out of El Monte Chavez came in as a last second replacement and faced Vega at “Quake in the Cage” and still got the win.

4. Anthony Hernandez (Fight Academy) – Showed a great stand up game against Mike Green just has to let those hands go.

5. Beto Rodriguez (Team Florez) – Fighting out of La Puente Rodriguez is probably the best striker on the list. With some more takedown defense he could move up the rankings fast.

6. Israel Flores (Sling’em MMA/Team Florez) – Former Mountain View Viking with only self training he hasn’t tasted defeat yet. He’s now working with Alan Florez and Mark De La Cruz at Team Florez, “Izzy” should make his way up the rankings.

7. Paul Uhl (Ring of Fire) – Former Temple City Ram had a tough loss after an injury at “Quake in the Cage” but “Lil Hulk” showed heart through the whole fight, and will be back with a vengeance.

8. Anthony Olivas (Blood Bank MMA) – This Arroyo Knight is getting ready for his July 30th fight. He’s coming off a win and should be hungry for another one.

9. Danny Vega (Ring of Fire) – The toughest of the bunch. He showed he is well rounded against a more experienced fighter at “Quake in the Cage” and he wants to jump right back in the cage.

10. Eric Villages (Ring of Fire) – Will be fighting July 10^th and with the training partners he has he should put on a show.