It had been over six weeks since the last major mixed martial arts event in North America and UFC 152 delivered some great action and performances.
More than anyone else, Jon Jones gained a new level of respect from those that doubted or criticized him after everything that happened with UFC 151. His performance and perseverance cemented his No. 1 light-heavyweight ranking and proved why he is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA today, even though he admits there is still work do be done.
Other big winners who took a step up in the rankings included Demetrious Johnson, who made history becoming the first ever UFC flyweight champion; Michael Bisping who made a case for a middleweight title shot; featherweight Cub Swanson continued his impressive KO streak; Canadians TJ Grant, Mitch Gagnon and Sean Pierson also picked up big wins.
Also, since former 155-pound champ Frankie Edgar has announced he is making the drop to featherweight, he no longer appears in the lightweight rankings but makes an appearance on the 145-pound list.
Here are the sportsnet.ca’s MMA rankings for September…
Jump to: Pound-for-pound | Canadians | Women
Jump to: Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight | Welterweight
Jump to: Lightweight | Featherweight | Bantamweight | Flyweight
POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Jose Aldo
Almost untouchable in his division.
2. Georges St-Pierre
The most well-rounded fighter in MMA. Finally returns in November.
3. Anderson Silva
Unquestionably the greatest of all time, but his wrestling has been a slight issue.
4. Jon Jones
Overcame adversity against Belfort in his best performance so far in the UFC.
5. Junior dos Santos
Has arguably the best boxing in MMA and the ability to keep any fight standing.
6. Dominick Cruz
A torn ACL and long layoff leads to a slight drop in the ranks.
7. Benson Henderson
Says he wants to fight every lightweight out there.
8. Demetrious Johnson
The fastest fighter in MMA and now a UFC champion.
9. Joseph Benavidez
Was barely outpointed by Johnson at UFC 152.
10. Frankie Edgar
Looks to find new success at 145-pounds.
Honourable mention: Dan Henderson; Cain Velasquez, Rashad Evans, Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz, Nate Marquardt
CANADIAN POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Georges St-Pierre
Officially fights Carlos Condit in Montreal.
2. Rory MacDonald
Looking to beat down BJ Penn in December.
3. T.J. Grant
Beat Evan Dunham at UFC 152 in Toronto and is 3-0 at lightweight.
4. Mark Bocek
Faces Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 154.
5. Ivan Menjivar
Welcomes Azamat Gashimov to the UFC in November.
6. Claude Patrick
Hasn’t fought since December at UFC 140.
7. Yves Jabouin
Meets Brad Pickett in England on Sept. 29.
8. Sam Stout
Takes on fellow Canadian John Makdessi at UFC 154.
9. Jordan Mein
Defeated Tyler Stinson in Strikeforce with a terrific boxing display.
10. Ryan Jimmo
Has won 17 straight and had a seven-second knockout in his UFC debut.
Honourable mention: Antonio Carvalho, Mitch Gagnon, Roland Delorme, Nick Denis, Mark Hominick, Nick Ring
FEMALE POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Ronda Rousey
She has the best armbar in MMA and showed why against Kaufman.
2. Sarah Kaufman
Rousey’s ground game was simply too much. Fights at Invicta FC 3.
3. Miesha Tate
Submitted Julie Kedzie in a Fight of the Year candidate.
4. Zoila Gurgel
Finally returns at Bellator 78.
5. Jessica Aguilar
Has won nine of ten fights.
6. Tara LaRosa
Faces Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 3.
7. Sara McMann
Beat Shayna Baszler in July. Fights Liz Carmouche in Strikeforce in November.
8. Megumi Fujii
Coming off second career loss.
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: Amanda Nunes, Shayna Baszler, Liz Carmouche, Germaine de Randamie, Julie Kedzie, Ayaka Hamasaki
Note: Cristiane (Cyborg) Santos be on the list but is not eligible due to her failed drug test and subsequent one-year suspension.
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Junior dos Santos
Wants to fight Overeem next, but gets Velasquez on Dec. 29.
2. Cain Velasquez
The most well-rounded heavyweight is focused and wants his belt back.
3. Fabricio Werdum
Closing in on a title shot.
4. Daniel Cormier
Awaiting an opponent for his final Strikeforce bout.
5. Alistair Overeem
Says JDS is afraid of him, won’t return until 2013.
6. Frank Mir
Pulled out of his fight with Cormier with an injury.
7. Shane Carwin
Getting ready to fight ‘Big Country’ at TUF 16 finale.
8. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Returns against Dave Herman at UFC 153 in Brazil.
9. Roy Nelson
Chin will be tested against Carwin after TUF coaching stint.
10. Stipe Miocic
looks to remain unbeaten against Stefan Struve in main event at UFC on FUEL TV 5.
Honourable mention: Travis Browne, Josh Barnett, Ben Rothwell, Antonio Silva, Stefan Struve
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Could be out a while as his arm heals from UFC 152 title defence.
2. Rashad Evans
Evans will stay at 205 pounds and is waiting for a big fight.
3. Dan Henderson
Had to pull out of UFC 151 but should return in late 2012.
4. Mauricio Rua
Put away Brandon Vera in an all out war. Faces Gustafsson next.
5. Lyoto Machida
Knocked out Bader with ease, remaining a title threat.
6. Phil Davis
Will rematch Wagner Prado on Oct. 13.
7. Alexander Gustafsson
Meets Shogun on Dec. 8 in biggest fight of his career.
8. Glover Teixeira
One of the most feared at 205 pounds. Meets Fabio Maldonado at UFC 153.
9. Ryan Bader
Was completely outclassed by Machida in August.
10. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Often injured, but still one of the best.
Honourable mention: Gegard Mousasi, Thiago Silva, Fabio Maldonado, Quinton Jackson
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Anderson Silva
Moves up to 205 to take on Stephan Bonnar, saving UFC 153.
2. Chael Sonnen
Offered to fight Jon Jones on short notice at UFC 151.
3. Michael Bisping
Beat Stann at UFC 152 and could be in line for a title shot.
4. Alan Belcher
Recovering from a spinal fracture.
5. Chris Weidman
Meets Boetsch at UFC 155.
6. Vitor Belfort
Showed heart against Jones at UFC 152 but middleweight is his home.
7. Luke Rockhold
Defended his Strikeforce title against Tim Kennedy. Faces Lorenz Larkin next.
8. Hector Lombard
Fights Rousimar Palhares in Australia in December.
9. Ronaldo Souza
Deserves a rematch with Rockhold.
10. Tim Boetsch
Looks to stay unbeaten at middleweight against Weidman.
Honourable mention: Brian Stann, Rousimar Palhares, Jake Shields, Constantinos Philippou
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Georges St-Pierre
Will cage rust be a factor against Condit at UFC 154?
2. Carlos Condit
Has the tools to upset GSP.
3. Nick Diaz
Not done with MMA just yet. Will return in 2013.
4. Nate Marquardt
The Strikeforce champion awaits his first challenger.
5. Martin Kampmann
Set for UFC 154 bout with Hendricks.
6. Rory MacDonald
Always improving, always rising in the ranks.
7. Jake Ellenberger
Meets Jay Hieron on Oct. 5.
8. Johny Hendricks
Fights Kampmann in Montreal. Winner could get a title shot.
9. Josh Koscheck
Back injury forced him out of UFC 151.
10. Jon Fitch
Meets Erick Silva at UFC 153.
Honourable mention: Demian Maia, Mike Pierce, Thiago Alves, Erick Silva, Tyron Woodley, Diego Sanchez, Mike Pyle
LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Benson Henderson
Beat Edgar again at UFC 150. Defends his belt against Diaz on FOX.
2. Nate Diaz
Looking forward to fighting Henderson for the belt.
3. Gilbert Melendez
An injury forced him out of his bout with Pat Healy.
4. Gray Maynard
Meets Lauzon at UFC 155.
5. Anthony Pettis
A bout with Cerrone is likely in the cards.
6. Donald Cerrone
KO’d Melvin Guillard at UFC 150. Doesn’t like Pettis and wants him next.
7. Michael Chandler
Will defend his Bellator title against Rick Hawn.
8. Jim Miller
Coming off his first stoppage loss, but still world class.
9. Eddie Alvarez
Fights Patricky Freire at Bellator 76 in Windsor, Ont.
10. Joe Lauzon
Coming off big win over Jamie Varner. Fights Maynard next.
Honourable mention: TJ Grant, Evan Dunham, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gleison Tibau, Rafael dos Anjos, Josh Thomson
FEATHERWEIGHT
1. Jose Aldo
Keeps getting injured but should return in late 2012.
2. Pat Curran
Pulled out of his bout with Patricio (Pitbull) Freire at Bellator 73 with injury.
3. Chad Mendes
Embarassed Cody McKenzie at UFC 148.
4. Eric Koch
Title bout with Aldo fell apart several times.
5. Chan Sung Jung
Closing in on a title shot.
6. Dustin Poirier
Looking to rebound from his first loss at featherweight.
7. Ricardo Lamas
One win away from a title shot.
8. Frankie Edgar
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 Eddie Yagin in December.
Honourable mention: Hatsu HiokiDiego Nunes, Nik Lentz, Rani Yahya, Hacran Dias, Yuri Alcantara, Manny Gamburyan
BANTAMWEIGHT
1. Dominick Cruz
Will he be the same after knee surgery?
2. Renan Barao
Has won 19 straight. Became the new interim champion.
3. Urijah Faber
Was a step behind Barao at UFC 149.
4. Brian Bowles
Only career losses to Cruz and Faber.
5. Michael McDonald
The top up-and-comer at 135 but he’s recovering from a broken hand.
6. Brad Pickett
The Brit will fight Montreal’s Yves Jabouin in England.
7. Mike Easton
Win over Menjivar is a big boost to his resume.
8. Bibiano Fernandes
Coming off dominant win over Gustavo Falciroli in ONE FC.
9. Eddie Wineland
Former WEC champ impressively KO’d Jorgensen in June.
10. Ivan Menjivar
Crowd will be behind him at UFC 154.
Honourable mention: Eduardo Dantas, Scott Jorgensen, Miguel Torres, Takeya Mizugaki
FLYWEIGHT
1. Demetrious Johnson
Made history by becoming the first UFC flyweight champion.
2. Joseph Benavidez
Heartbroken after close, split decision loss to Mighty Mouse.
3. Ian McCall
Currently dealing with some legal trouble.
4. Jussier da Silva
Will make his UFC debut against Dodson at UFC on FX 5.
5. Darrell Montague
Had a big KO win over Taylor McCorriston on May 10.
6. John Dodson
Will welcome Jussier da Silva to the UFC.
7. John Moraga
Coming off blistering KO win over Ulysses Gomez in his UFC debut.
8. Yasuhiro Urushitani
Faces John Lineker in November.
9. Chris Cariaso
Had success at 135 but could make waves at 125.
10. Timothy Elliott
Impressive showing in his UFC debut, despite the loss to Dodson.
Honourable mention: Ulysses Gomez, Jose Maria Tome, Louis Gaudinot, Darren Uyenoyama, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Rambaa Somdet
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.
