On Wednesday, we released the first of our new set of MMA rankings, which included three different pound-for-pound lists.
Next up, the four bigger weight classes (with the four smaller ones on Friday).
As always, these rankings were created with the following criteria in mind: A fighter’s recent performances and record, their quality of competition, and their overall skill set.
Here is Part 2 of April’s sportsnet.ca mixed martial arts rankings.
Jump to: Pound-for-pound | Canadians | Women
Jump to: Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight | Welterweight
Jump to: Lightweight | Featherweight | Bantamweight | Flyweight
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Junior dos Santos
Has been unstoppable since his UFC debut.
2. Cain Velasquez
Coming off his first loss after a long layoff.
3. Frank Mir
He breaks limbs. Fights Velasquez at UFC 146.
4. Fabricio Werdum
Once again a contender in the UFC.
5. Alistair Overeem
His recent test results lowers his status.
6. Daniel Cormier
An Olympic wrestler with knockout power.
7. Shane Carwin
Has been out of action since UFC 131 loss to JDS.
8. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Had Mir in trouble at UFC 140. Excellent boxing and BJJ.
9. Josh Barnett
His wrestling and submission skills can give anyone trouble.
10. Antonio Silva
Enormous even for heavyweight. Has skill to go along with size.
Honourable mention: Shane del Rosario, Roy Nelson, Stipe Miocic, Travis Browne, Sergei Kharitonov
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Looking to cement himself as the best light-heavyweight ever.
2. Rashad Evans
Wants to hurt Jones at UFC 145.
3. Dan Henderson
Coming off a close yet epic win over Shogun at UFC 139.
4. Mauricio Rua
Scheduled to fight Rampage later this year.
5. Lyoto Machida
Gave Jones a run for his money at UFC 140.
6. Phil Davis
Was outclassed by Rashad in February.
7. Alexander Gustafsson
Headlines UFC on FUEL TV 2 in his native Sweden.
8. Ryan Bader
Coming off a dominant win over a depleted Rampage.
9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Finished Tito Ortiz with body shots at UFC 140.
10. Gegard Mousasi
The most talented 205-pounder outside the UFC.
Honourable mention: Thiago Silva, Quinton Jackson, Forrest Griffin
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Anderson Silva
Wants to prove a point at UFC 147 against Chael Sonnen.
2. Chael Sonnen
His ground control is almost as impressive as his smack talk.
3. Vitor Belfort
Fights fellow TUF Brazil coach Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147.
4. Michael Bisping
Proved his worth in a tough loss to Sonnen.
5. Rousimar Palhares
The most dangerous fighter in the UFC (in terms of causing injuries).
6. Mark Munoz
8-1 at middleweight with devastating ground and pound.
7. Alan Belcher
The forgotten man at 185 pounds. Fights Palhares in May.
8. Tim Boetsch
Becoming a force in the division.
9. Hector Lombard
Bellator’s undisputed champion.
10. Chris Weidman
Currently the top middleweight prospect.
Honourable mention: Luke Rockhold, Brian Stann, Yushin Okami
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Georges St-Pierre
Will make his long-awaited return late in 2012.
2. Carlos Condit
Won the interim UFC belt at UFC 143.
3. Nick Diaz
Currently debating his future in MMA.
4. Jake Ellenberger
As dangerous as anyone in the division.
5. Josh Koscheck
Always a contender, never a champ.
6. Martin Kampmann
Can never be counted out in a fight.
7. Rory MacDonald
Besides GSP, maybe the most well-rounded welterweight.
8. Thiago Alves
Made one mistake against Kampmann and it cost him.
9. Johny Hendricks
Shocked the world against Fitch at UFC 141. Fights Koscheck next.
10. Jon Fitch
Looking to rebound from loss to Hendricks.
Honourable mention: Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, Jake Shields, Diego Sanchez, Mike Pierce
MMA rankings are subjective, and ultimately have no real bearing on how fights should or do play out, but they inevitably get fans talking about the sport and its best fighters. Send your thoughts and arguments to @MikeyJ_MMA.
Also, for comparison’s sake, here are the latest UFC CENTRAL rankings from Showdown Joe.
