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MMA Rankings > UFC Heavyweight Rankings

UFC Heavyweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's Heavyweight division - January 2012 Update

With news swirling all around the world of MMA in regards to the heavyweight weight class, it seems that the UFC will finally be able to lay claim to a list of the top heavyweights in the sport, hands down. True MMA fans knew for years that Strikeforce could not only hold a candle to, but likely compete very strongly, with the top Heavyweights of the UFC, but with Zuffa's acquisition of Strikeforce in March and the recent news that Strikeforce will no longer have a Heavyweight Division after mid-2012, the UFC truly has the best of the best. Already leaving Strikeforce for the UFC is Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Chad Griggs and more, and with the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix set to crown a winner in March Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier will likely soon be heading to the UFC as well.

The biggest, both literally and figuratively, fight in the Heavyweight Division that had major title implications was the UFC 141 main event featuring former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar versus former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champ Alistair Overeem. Overeem was able to keep the fight standing and end it with a liver kick in the 1st round earning a shot at Junior dos Santos. With the UFC Heavyweight Division having more depth than ever, expect to see more exciting fights throughout 2012.

Also be sure to see our Bellator Heavyweight rankings as we take a look at the top heavyweight fighters in Bellator organization.

UFC Heavyweight Frank Mir defeats Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar's comeback win over Shane Carwin secured his place as a Top 5 Heavyweight, but Alistair Overeem kicked him into retirement.

1. Junior dos Santos – (14-1, 8-0 UFC) – Dos Santos has hammered his way through the heavyweight division, finishing 6 of the 8 opponents that he’s faced in the Octagon while dominating the other two he could not finish. Dos Santos, who was supposed to face Brock Lesnar at UFC 131 instead crushed Shane Carwin to earn a title shot then proceeded to KO Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX 1 and become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. While dos Santos heals up from injuries sustained training for the Velasquez fight he awaits the winner of Lesnar vs. Overeem in his first title defense.

2. Alistair Overeem – (36-11, 1-0 UFC) – Alistair Overeem, who has not lost since 2007, has 12 straight MMA wins fighting for Strikeforce, Dream and now the UFC. The Dutch kickboxer will now look to prove himself against Junior dos Santos as he fights for the UFC Heavyweight title after defeating Brock Lesnar at UFC 141.

3. Cain Velasquez – (9-1, 7-1 UFC) – After 13 months off due to a shoulder injury, Cain Velasquez lost his UFC Heavyweight Championship belt to Junior dos Santos in the UFC's highest profile event to date. Velasquez will now look to bouce back against the deepest field of Heavyweights ever assembled by the UFC.

4. Brock Lesnar – (5-3, 4-3 UFC) – Brock Lesnar made his return to the Octagon opposite Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 with a title shot on the line and a kick to the liver did Lesnar in. Unlike many athletes, Lesanr's pronouced retirement seems genuine and final, but time will tell. If he remains retired then bump the rest of tihs list up a notch.

5. Shane Carwin – (12-2, 4-2 UFC) – Injuries sidelined Shane Carwin for 11 months in 2010 and 2011 before a loss to Junior dos Santos and again in late 2011 keeping Carwin out of the spotlight for a good part of a year and a half. A healthy Shane Carwin can fight for a Top 5 spot in the UFC Heavyweight Division, but the recent neck and back injuries leaves reason for concern over his long-term relevance in the division.

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6. Frank Mir – (16-5, 14-5 UFC) – Mir has seen lots of ups and downs in his tenure in the UFC, but he appears to be pointed back in the right direction. A winner of three straight and four of his last five fights, he could be looking at a top contender's bout in his next fight. Most recently the 11-year MMA pro submitted Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with a kimura, the only submission loss for Big Nog in 40+ career MMA fights.

7. Cheick Kongo – (17-6-2, 10-4-1 UFC) – An 11-year MMA pro and veteran of 15 UFC fights, Cheick Kongo is undefeated in his past four fights stopping the momentum of youngsters Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione. Kongo is second only to Frank Mir in UFC wins and fights on the current roster of UFC Heavyweights and is expected to face Mark Hunt at UFC 144 in Japan in February 2012.

8. Travis Browne – (12-0-1, 3-0-1 UFC) – Travis Browne has emerged on the scene in the UFC Heavyweight Division and has opened some eyes with a 3-0-1 record in four UFC fights. Most impressive for Browne is likely his superman punch KO of Stefan Struve at UFC 130 and he is currently scheduled to face Chad Griggs in March 2012 on the UFC 145 fight card.

9. Roy Nelson – (16-6; 3-2 UFC) – Roy Nelson seems to be a fighter you either love or hate with a "blue-collar personality and free-wheeling fight style" that many fans enjoy. While his physique gets more attention than his fighting many times, a 3-2 start to his UFC career has come against the best of the best and he remains a couple of wins away from talk of a title shot.

10. Matt Mitrione – (5-1; 5-1 UFC) – A student of Duke Roufus in Milwaukee, Wisconsion, Matt Mitrione has spent his entire pro MMA career with the UFC. The former Purdue defensive tackle and NFL player debuted on The Ultimate Fighter 10 and scored 4 KO/TKO wins in his first 5 fights including a TKO win that sent Kimbo Slice packing. Most recently Mitrione suffered his first loss of his career in dropping a decision to Cheick Kongo at UFC 137.

Look for updates on all of our UFC rankings online here at ProFighting-fans.com.

Published January 2012
Photo used with permission from the UFC

UFC Heavyweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's Heavyweight division - January 2012 Update

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