Heavyweight Rankings - Outside the UFC

A review and ranking of the top MMA heavyweight fighters not under contract with the UFC - June 2009

Pro Fighting Fans MMA staff writer Nick Russell takes a look at the Top 5 MMA heavyweights outside of the UFC.

1. Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) – Is there any question? Fedor has dominated for almost a decade now and doesn’t seem to be slowing at all. He hasn’t lost in 27 straight fights dating back to December 2000. He is set to take on Josh Barnett at “Affliction: Trilogy” on August 1st for the WAMMA Heavyweight Title.
2. Josh Barnett (24-5) – During his four-fight win streak Barnett hasn’t exactly been defeating top-five talent. He has consecutive wins over Yoshida, Monson, Rizzo, and Yvel. He is dangerous on the ground (15 subs) and next will face the “Russian Emperor,” Fedor at the August 1st Affliction show.
3. Andrei Arlovski (15-6) – The “Pitbull” is coming off a loss to top-ranked Fedor but prior to that he won five straight. At 30 years old he continues to evolve as a fighter. Training with boxing guru Freddie Roach can’t hurt his already potent striking game either. He will take on up-and-coming Brett “The Grim” Rogers June 6th at “Strikeforce: Shields vs. Lawler.”
4. Alistair Overeem (29-11) – The “Demolition Man” hasn’t lost a fight since September 2007. He has finished four of his five opponents since then; the exception was a ‘No Contest’ to Mirko Filipovic, a fight in which he was dominating with striking. The Golden Glory product doesn’t have an opponent scheduled at the moment but is rumored to be in action this summer.
5. Fabricio Werdum (11-4-1) – He belongs in the top-five based on the level of his opponents. He hasn’t had the best luck as of late but hasn’t shied away from a tough fight. In 2008 he won back-to-back fights against Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon Vera but was knocked out by Junior dos Santos in devastating fashion later in the year. In 2009 he signed with an upgraded version of Strikeforce but doesn’t have an opponent to date.

> Check out all of the 2009 MMA rankings including our pound for pound rankings online provided by ProFighting-fans.com and buy Affliction shirts & apparel!

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer

More Non-UFC MMA Fighter Rankings:

• Top Light Heavyweights not in the UFC
• Top Middleweights not in the UFC
• Top Welterweights not in the UFC
• Top Lightweights not in the UFC