November was a big month for mixed martial arts. The Ultimate Fighting Championship made history by signing its first ever female fighter, Ronda Rousey, and by hosting its first ever event in China; plus the sport’s biggest star, Georges St-Pierre, made his long-awaited return to the Octagon in front of his hometown fans at UFC 154.
GSP won a unanimous decision over Carlos Condit in a performance that showcased his full arsenal of MMA skills plus heart and an ability to overcome adversity. Not only did he unify the 170-pound belts and cement his spot as the greatest welterweight in UFC history, but he leapfrogged his way back atop the Sporsnet.ca pound-for-pound rankings.
Most consider Anderson Silva the greatest fighter of all-time and rightfully so, but GSP has the most complete MMA game in UFC history.
“I don’t have the knockout power of a ‘Rampage’ Jackson, I don’t have the athletic ability of a Jon Jones, I don’t have the accuracy of an Anderson Silva, I don’t have the wrestling of a Chael Sonnen, but I use my body with the tools I have the best I can and that’s why I win fights,” St-Pierre said at the UFC 154 post-fight press conference. “It’s not always about the muscle, it’s about the mind.”
In terms of pound-for-pound rankings, it’s not just about mind or muscle, it’s about pure, unadulterated MMA skill and that’s what GSP possesses more than any fighter currently competing in the sport.
With that in mind, here are Sportsnet.ca MMA rankings for November 2012:
Jump to: Pound-for-pound | Canadians | Women
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POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Georges St-Pierre
He is the most skilled, well-rounded mixed martial artist out there.
2. Anderson Silva
He does things other fighters can’t.
3. Jose Aldo
Almost untouchable in his division.
4. Jon Jones
Overcame adversity and gained a lot of respect at UFC 152.
5. Junior dos Santos
Has arguably the best boxing in MMA and the ability to keep any fight standing.
6. Dominick Cruz
Recovering from a torn ACL; must rehab like GSP did.
7. Benson Henderson
Flexibility, durability, excellent top control and tenacity made him a champ.
8. Demetrious Johnson
The fastest fighter in MMA and has skills everywhere.
9. Cain Velasquez
When he’s healthy he’s as good as anyone in MMA and right now he’s healthy.
10. Joseph Benavidez
Was barely outpointed by Johnson at UFC 152.
Honourable mention: Frankie Edgar, Dan Henderson, Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz, Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans
CANADIAN POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Georges St-Pierre
Proved again at UFC 154 why he’s the greatest Canadian in MMA.
2. Rory MacDonald
Says he’s going to smash BJ Penn in December.
3. T.J. Grant
Meets Matt Wiman in January.
4. Ivan Menjivar
Won Submission of the Night at UFC 154.
5. Mark Bocek
Was outmatched by Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 154.
6. Claude Patrick
Hasn’t fought since December at UFC 140.
7. Ryan Jimmo
Has won 17 straight and had a seven-second knockout in his UFC debut.
8. Jordan Mein
Headlines Score Fighting Series on Nov. 23.
9. Yves Jabouin
Was doing well against Brad Pickett Until he got caught.
10. Nick Ring
Was not cleared by doctors before UFC 154 due to illness.
Honourable mention: Antonio Carvalho, Sam Stout, Mitch Gagnon, Roland Delorme, Nick Denis, John Makdessi
FEMALE POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Ronda Rousey
The first female UFC champion.
2. Sarah Kaufman
Rousey’s ground game was simply too much.
3. Miesha Tate
Submitted Julie Kedzie in a Fight of the Year candidate.
4. Sara McMann
Beat Shayna Baszler in July.
5. Jessica Aguilar
Has won nine of ten fights.
6. Zoila Gurgel
Picked up a win at Bellator 78.
7. Megumi Fujii
Coming off second career loss.
8. Jessica Penne
Became Invicta FC atomweight champion in October.
9. Marloes Coenen
Not afraid to call out Rousey and other top fighters.
10. Alexis Davis
Submitted Hitomi Akano at Invicta FC 2.
Honourable mention: Tara LaRosa, Amanda Nunes, Shayna Baszler, Liz Carmouche, Germaine de Randamie, Julie Kedzie, Ayaka Hamasaki
Note: Cristiane (Cyborg) Santos is not on the list due to her failed drug test and subsequent one-year suspension.
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Junior dos Santos
Meets Velasquez on Dec. 29 at UFC 155.
2. Cain Velasquez
The most well-rounded heavyweight is focused and wants his belt back.
3. Fabricio Werdum
Will coach TUF Brazil 2 against Big Nog.
4. Daniel Cormier
Faces Dion Staring in January.
5. Alistair Overeem
Wanted a title shot but gets Bigfoot instead.
6. Antonio Silva
Nearly decapitated Travis Browne, now looks to Overeem.
7. Shane Carwin
Knee injury forced him out of TUF 16 finale bout vs. Big Country.
8. Frank Mir
We don’t know what’s next for Mir.
9. Roy Nelson
Now takes on TUF 10 rival Matt Mitrione after Carwin pulled out.
10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Not the same Big Nog as years past but looked good against Dave Herman.
Honourable mention: Travis Browne, Stefan Struve, Josh Barnett, Ben Rothwell, Stipe Miocic
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Will defend his belt against Chael Sonnen after stint as TUF 17 coach.
2. Rashad Evans
Returns against Lil Nog in February.
3. Dan Henderson
Luckily didn’t need surgery on his injured knee, meets Machida next.
4. Mauricio Rua
Faces Gustafsson on prime time TV next month.
5. Lyoto Machida
Takes on Hendo at UFC 157.
6. Phil Davis
Looked fantastic submitting Wagner Prado, faces challenge in Forrest Griffin at UFC 155.
7. Alexander Gustafsson
Meets Shogun on Dec. 8 in biggest fight of his career.
8. Glover Teixeira
Pulverized Fabio Maldonado at UFC 153, faces Rampage on FOX in January.
9. Ryan Bader
Was completely outclassed by Machida in August.
10. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Back from injury to fight Evans in early 2013.
Honourable mention: Thiago Silva, Quinton Jackson, Gegard Mousasi
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Anderson Silva
Fights on another frequency than most in the UFC.
2. Michael Bisping
Travels to Brazil to fight Belfort in January.
3. Alan Belcher
Takes on Yushin Okami at UFC 155.
4. Chris Weidman
Meets Boetsch at UFC 155.
5. Vitor Belfort
Showed heart against Jones at UFC 152 but middleweight is his home.
6. Luke Rockhold
Recovering from injury but will fight Lorenz Larkin in January.
7. Hector Lombard
Fights Rousimar Palhares in Australia in December.
8. Ronaldo Souza
Deserves a rematch with Rockhold.
9. Tim Boetsch
Looks to stay unbeaten at middleweight against Weidman.
10. Constantinos Philippou
Continues to impress; his fight with Nick Ring at UFC 154 was cancelled.
Honourable mention: Brian Stann, Rousimar Palhares, Yushin Okami
Note: Chael Sonnen was No. 2 but has since moved up to the 205-pound division.
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Georges St-Pierre
Looked better than ever against Condit at UFC 154.
2. Carlos Condit
Pushed GSP to the limit and proved his worth.
3. Nick Diaz
Wasn’t impressed with GSP’s performance. Will return in 2013.
4. Nate Marquardt
The Strikeforce champion meets Tarec Saffiedine in January.
5. Johny Hendricks
Planked Kampmann in Montreal. GSP says he’s the top contender.
6. Rory MacDonald
Always improving, always rising in the ranks.
7. Demian Maia
After disposing of Rick Story, he is one of the biggest threats in the division.
8. Jon Fitch
He impressed at UFC 153 and fights Maia next.
9. Martin Kampmann
Got caught by a perfect Hendricks punch.
10. Jake Ellenberger
Beat Jay Hieron in a forgettable performance.
Honourable mention: Mike Pierce, Dong Hyun Kim, Josh Koscheck, Thiago Alves, Erick Silva, Mike Pyle
LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Benson Henderson
Defends his belt against Diaz on FOX in Dec. 8.
2. Nate Diaz
Not intimidated whatsoever by Bendo.
3. Gilbert Melendez
Pat Healy is next for the Strikeforce champ.
4. Gray Maynard
Injury forced him out of UFC 155 bout with Lauzon.
5. Anthony Pettis
A bout with Cerrone is set for January.
6. Donald Cerrone
Doesn’t like Pettis and will have the chance to settle the score.
7. Michael Chandler
Will defend his Bellator title against Rick Hawn.
8. Eddie Alvarez
Being courted by the UFC. Knocked out Patricky Freire at Bellator 76 with spectacular head-kick.
9. Jim Miller
Steps in for Maynard against J-Lau.
10. Joe Lauzon
Coming off big win over Jamie Varner. Fights Miller next.
Honourable mention: Rafael dos Anjos, TJ Grant, Matt Wiman, Evan Dunham, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gleison Tibau, Josh Thomson
FEATHERWEIGHT
1. Jose Aldo
Headlines UFC 156 against Edgar.
2. Pat Curran
Out with an injury but Bellator’s top talent.
3. Chad Mendes
Meets Hacran Dias in December.
4. Eric Koch
Title bout with Aldo fell apart several times. Now fights Lamas.
5. Chan Sung Jung
Closing in on a title shot.
6. Dustin Poirier
Faces Jonathan Brookins at TUF 16 finale.
7. Ricardo Lamas
A win over Koch could get him a title shot.
8. Frankie Edgar
The only reason he’s ranked 8th is because he’s unproven at this weight.
9. Cub Swanson
A third straight win in the UFC and two straight KO of the Night awards.
10. Dennis Siver
Takes on fellow striker Nam Phan in December.
Honourable mention: Diego Nunes, Hatsu Hioki, Nik Lentz, Rani Yahya, Hacran Dias, Darren Elkins, Yuri Alcantara
BANTAMWEIGHT
1. Dominick Cruz
Will he be the same after knee surgery?
2. Renan Barao
There is talk of him defending his interim belt.
3. Urijah Faber
Still one of the best lighter-weight fighters.
4. Brian Bowles
Only career losses to Cruz and Faber.
5. Michael McDonald
The top up-and-comer at 135 and could fight Barao for interim strap.
6. Brad Pickett
KO’d Yves Jabouin with one of the best punches of the year. Meets Wineland next.
7. Mike Easton
Fights Bryan Caraway on Dec. 8.
8. Bibiano Fernandes
Coming off dominant win over Gustavo Falciroli in ONE FC.
9. Eddie Wineland
His fight with Pickett should be a barnburner.
10. Ivan Menjivar
Performed brilliantly at UFC 154.
Honourable mention: Eduardo Dantas, Scott Jorgensen, Takeya Mizugaki
FLYWEIGHT
1. Demetrious Johnson
His first title challanger will be Dodson.
2. Joseph Benavidez
Heartbroken after close, split decision loss to Mighty Mouse.
3. Ian McCall
Currently dealing with some legal troubles.
4. John Dodson
Can he go from TUF champ to UFC champ?
5. Darrell Montague
Hasn’t had a fight since May.
6. Jussier da Silva
Was unsuccessful in his UFC debut against Dodson.
7. John Moraga
Coming off blistering KO win over Ulysses Gomez in his UFC debut.
8. John Lineker
Looked great against Yasuhiro Urushitani in Macau.
9. Chris Cariaso
Had success at 135 but could make waves at 125.
10. Darren Uyenoyama
Submitted Phil Harris and showed why his ground game is so feared.
Honourable mention: Timothy Elliott, Ulysses Gomez, Jose Maria Tome, Louis Gaudinot, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Rambaa Somdet, Yasuhiro Urushitani
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.
