Light Heavyweight Rankings - Outside the UFC

A review and ranking of the top MMA light 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 Light Heavyweights outside of the UFC.

1. Renato Sobral (32-8) – The reigning Strikeforce Light-Heavy champion is reeling of late, winning his last five, four with stoppages. He choked out highly-touted Sokoudjou in January with a unique Brabo choke. After pulling out of a Strikeforce title defense in June, due to the expectation of his second child, he will face Gegard Mousasi in August at “Affliction: Trilogy”.
2. Gegard Mousasi (25-2-1) – Included in the division, even without a Light-Heavyweight bout under his belt, Mousasi immediately leaps to a top-five 205 pounder. Mousasi has been on-fire the last three years, winning twelve in a row, including a DREAM Middleweight Grand-Prix title. He is scheduled to fight Renato “Babalu” Sobral at Affliction: Trilogy on August 1st.
3. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3) – Quietly moving up in a deep division, "Little Nog" has won his last five fights which have taken place in four different organizations. His most impressive win during that time was a 2nd round KO of Vladimir Matyushenko at Affliction: Day of Reckoning in January ’09. Having fought in early May in his native Brazil for Jungle Fight, Nogueira will probably find his name on an Affliction card later in the summer or fall.
4. Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) – Even being off a full year due to a recent back surgery, Ortiz could jump to the top of the division with a significant win. He is 0-2-1 in his last three fights but the losses look better and better as time goes on. He lost to a prime “Iceman” in December ’06, only to fight former champ Rashad Evans to a draw in July ’07, followed by a loss via a decision to current champ – Lyoto Machida in May ’08. He is still unsigned but has been rumored to fight for Strikeforce later this year.
5. Rafael Cavalcante (7-1) – With seven stoppage wins in his eight career fights, “Feijao” will be a dangerous light heavyweight for years to come. The former IFL and Elite XC fighter has wins over mid-level fighters Travis Galbraith, Wayne Cole, and John Doyle over the course of the last 15 months. After signing with Strikeforce he was supposed to face Renato Sobral for the LHW title, but after Sobral pulled out his opponent was changed to Jared Hamman then again to Mike Kyle on the June 6th Lawler vs Shields card.

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By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer

More Non-UFC MMA Fighter Rankings:

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