MMA Rankings > MMA P4P Rankings - April 2010
MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
April 2010 - MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
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UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva picked up a disappointing win at UFC 112. |
Pro Fighting Fans Editor-in-Chief and Director of MMA Content Scott Dryden once again provides his pound for pound ranking of the top fighters in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. As part of his column entitled The Triangle Choke, Dryden takes a look at the Top 10 MMA fighters in the world and ranks them pound for pound. While similar lists can be found online, our pound for pound rankings are some of the most accurate found anywhere online or in print as Dryden's experience around MMA and wealth of knowledge is unmatched. Also, look to ProFighting-fans.com for MMA news & coverage as well as additonal 2010 MMA rankings, and keep checking back each month for updates to our rankings of UFC weight classes, non-UFC fighters, WEC fighters and MMA pound for pound ranking lists.
MMA fans have been treated to a spring MMA season featuring several of the debated p4p champions in action. With BJ Penn, Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson, Gegard Mousasi, Shinya Aoki and many others all in action within the last month, both the UFC and Strikeforce cages are staying active and busy.
Who are the best MMA fighters on the planet regardless of weight and organization? That is a question often asked with many different views expressed. Like other sports its hard to predict without seeing it played out in the field of competition, however ProFighting-fans.com has the most accurate rankings in the business. There were plenty of upsets in the past month which dramatically changed the rankings from our February update. Our pound for pound rankings are listed below and reveal the best fighters in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts regardless of weight class.
Ranking |
MMA Fighter |
MMA Fighter Comments |
Previous Ranking |
Ranking Change |
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| MMA P4P #1 |
Fedor Emelianenko |
Fedor will go down as the greatest mixed martial artist in the history of the sport. The 33 year old heavyweight is 31-1 and is likely to face Fabricio Werdum in June on a future Strikeforce fight card. Make no mistake no matter what the UFC and others say, Fedor has been the most dominant and versatile fighter in the history of the sport. |
#1 |
none |
 |
| MMA P4P #2 |
Anderson Silva |
Like him or hate him Silva is one of the most talented athletes on the planet. His long legs and arms are hard to escape and his agility and movement are unmatched. Silva, 35, is 26-4 and has won 12 fights in a row since his DQ loss to Yushin Okami. Hopefully Silva will face Chael Sonnen in his next title defense. |
#2 |
none |
|
| MMA P4P #3 |
Georges St. Pierre |
The best athlete in all of MMA put together a solid performance against the talkative Dan Hardy at UFC 111. There aren’t too many fighters left to face in the welterweight division as rumors swirl GSP will face Anderson Silva at a catch weight. The 20-2 GSP would likely accept the challenge. If he stays in the welterweight division he will face the winner of Koscheck/Daley or Jon Fitch. |
#3 |
none |
|
| MMA P4P #4 |
Lyoto Machida |
The Dragon is an extremely talented fighter who uses unorthodox Karate to dodge strikes and land lethal kicks/punches. The 16-0 Machida escaped with a controversial victory over Shogun Rua at UFC 104. The two will throw leather again atop the UFC 113 fight card on May 8th. The rematch should be as entertaining as the first but Machida will remain undefeated. |
#4 |
none |
|
| MMA P4P #5 |
Rashad Evans |
Evans if often forgotten when lists of the greatest fighters on the planet are made. However, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is 14-1-1 with his only loss coming to Machida. “Sugar” will face his nemesis Rampage Jackson atop the UFC 114 fight card on May 29th. |
#5 |
none |
|
| MMA P4P #6 |
Brock Lesnar |
The UFC Heavyweight Champion hasn’t competed since UFC 100 on July 11th 2009. He will return from a serious injury in the July/August time frame, possibly atop the atop the UFC 116 fight card, to face a very tough challenge in Shane Carwin. Although Brock is only 4-1 he is as dominant as any mixed martial artist on the planet. |
#8 |
+2 |
|
| MMA P4P #7 |
Eddie Alvarez |
The 19-2 Alvarez is one of the most explosive athletes in all of MMA. With the surprising loss by BJ Penn, Alvarez is now the #1 ranked lightweight on the planet. Alvarez will face Josh Neer atop the Bellator 17 fight card and if things go as planned in the Bellator Lightweight Tournament, Alvarez will have his hands full with the very talented Roger Huerta. |
#7 |
none |
|
| MMA P4P #8 |
Nick Diaz |
Although Diaz is controversial and doesn’t show the discipline he should, he is simply the second best welterweight in the world. His game continues to improve as he is equally versed on his feet as he is on the ground. The Strikeforce Welterweight Champion is only 26 years of age and holds a career record of 21-7. Looking ahead, Diaz should take a rematch against the talented KJ Noons who is the last man to defeat him via a controversial referee stoppage due to a cut. |
N/A |
N/A |
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| MMA P4P #9 |
Jon Fitch |
The tough-minded welterweight is 22-3 with his only loss in the UFC coming to GSP via a unanimous decision at UFC 87. Fitch is extremely physical and loves to throw leather. He trains with some of the best fighters on the planet at AKA and continues to evolve his game. With his four fight winning streak Fitch deserves a rematch with GSP. |
N/A |
N/A |
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| MMA P4P #10 |
Jon "Bones" Jones |
Although many will disagree with Jones being in the top ten this early in his career, the fact is he is one of the best fighters on the planet. He is extremely talented and lethal with his striking game. Jones is 10-1 with his only loss coming via a controversial DQ to Matt Hamill in a fight he dominated throughout. |
N/A |
N/A |
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Other Top MMA Pound for Pound (p4p) Candidates:
- Shogun Rua- Rua is 18-4 and is the only man to really push Machida. He lost via a controversial decision. The well versed Brazilian has victories over some of the best names in the sport. His rematch against Machida should be a classic.
- Rampage Jackson- The humorous Jackson retired then came out of retirement following his stint as BA Baracus of the A-Team. The 30-7 Jackson will get his chance against nemesis Rashad Evans at UFC 114.
- Jake Shields- Although his performances aren’t a thing of beauty, the 25-4 jiu-jitsu practitioner hasn’t lost a fight since 2004. He is now a free agent and his victory over Dan Henderson will likely cause a bidding war between the UFC and Strikeforce.
- BJ Penn - Although he is the greatest lightweight in the history of the sport his motivation has been questioned throughout his career. If you get Penn training somewhere other than Hawaii he is one of the best fighters in the history of the sport (for his fight against Frankie Edgar Penn trained in Hawaii). Rumors point to a Penn vs Edgar rematch atop the UFC 118 fight card.
- Frankie Edgar- The “Answer” passed the Penn test as he dominated Penn and won the UFC Lightweight title. Edgar will likely face Gray Maynard in his first defense.
- Dan Henderson- Many are stating Hendo suffered a back injury leading up to his fight against Jake Shields. That is the only reasonable explanation as Henderson was dominated in a fashion that hasn’t happened in his long distinguished career.
- King Mo Lawal- The King backed up his talk as he dominated the heavy favorite Gegard Mousasi to become the new Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. The charismatic Lawal moved to 7-0 with the victory.
- Gegard Mousasi- The 28-3 Mousasi had no answers for the superior wrestling game of Lawal. Although Gegard was very effective in the stand up he couldn’t keep the fight on his feet. Hopefully Strikeforce will have a rematch in the near future.
- Jose Aldo- The 22 year old Brazilian is a phenomenal striker having won his last six fights via KO/TKO due to strikes. The WEC Featherweight Champion will have his hands full against Urijah Faber in what should be a very entertaining bout.
- Shane Carwin- The super strong heavyweight has cruised through the UFC’s big boy division. He is 12-0 and has yet to be pushed to the 2nd round. His biggest test will happen this summer when he faces Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Title.
- Cain Velasquez- Cain, like Carwin, has progressed with ease early in his career. The 8-0 grappling great will likely get a shot at the winner of Carwin/Lesnar.
- Gilbert Melendez- El Nino has stormed through the competition since his loss to Josh Thomson. Melendez is on a four fight winning streak which includes avenging his loss to Thomson. The sky is the limit for the 18-2 Melendez as he is already the longest-reigning Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.
- Gray Maynard- At 9-0 “The Bully” believes he deserves a shot at the title, and considering the fact that he is the lone fighter to ever beat UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, it is hard to argue. It would be an interesting match-up against the ultra quick Frankie Edgar.
- Diego Sanchez- At 21-3 “The Nightmare” is still a factor in the UFC’s Lightweight division. Sanchez may be the in the mix to get a shot at Edgar.
- Kenny Florian- Since his loss to BJ Penn, K-Flo has looked very impressive in victories over Clay Guida and Takanori Gomi. Florian also hopes to get a shot at Edgar.
This wraps up our April 2010 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings. Be sure to check back here at ProFighting-fans.com for all of our MMA rankings lists including individual weight classes inside and outside of the UFC, as well as fighter interviews & profiles, previews, foght predictions, recaps & results from the biggest Mixed Martial Arts fights and more.
Previous Mixed Martial Arts Pound for Pound Rankings @ ProFighting-fans.com:
- February 2010 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- November 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- September 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- June 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- April 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- February 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
- January 2009 MMA Pound for Pound Rankings
By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief