MMA Rankings > UFC Heavyweight Rankings
UFC Heavyweight Division Rankings
A review and ranking of the UFC's Heavyweight division - August 2009 Update
July saw the crowning of the first Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion in a number of years when Brock Lesnar beat Frank Mir into submission in the second round of their rematch. The rankings may not have changed much in the mean time, but they should in the next few months, with every fighter in the top ten rankings scheduled for fights before the end of the year. Also be sure to see our MMA Heavyweight rankings as we take a look at the top heavyweight fighters in the UFC and other MMA organizations across the globe.
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Frank Mir defeated Brock Lesnar at UFC 81 via Ankle Lock, but Lesnar got his revenge at UFC 100 in July. |
1. Brock Lesnar – He may only have a 4-1 professional MMA record, but the new big man on the block, undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar has defeated two former champions in a row, both in the second round, making his place at the #1 spot rooted until someone takes it by force. That will not be an easy task. After defeating Heath Herring by Unanimous Decision in August 2007, Lesnar went on to take the heavyweight title from Randy Couture with a second round TKO at UFC 91, following that up with another second round TKO over former heavyweight champion and arch rival Frank Mir, who defeated Lesnar in his UFC debut two years ago.
2. Frank Mir – While it is still difficult to envision Mir staying above Randy Couture, Cain Valasquez, and Shane Carwin for much longer, the fact remains that he had been on an impressive run prior to his UFC 100 loss to Brock Lesnar in a rematch of their first fight. Mir is now rumored to be fighting Frenchman Cheick Kongo at UFC 107 in December. A win could place him right back in the title picture, while a loss could derail him indefinitely.
3. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira – After defeating Heath Herring and Tim Sylvia in come-from-behind victories since joining the UFC, Nogueira went into his December 2008 battle with Frank Mir as a heavy favorite. Unfortunately for “Big Nog,” his Pride days of taking way too much punishment came back to bite him, as Mir dropped the Brazilian early and often en route to a second round TKO, marking the first time Nogueira has been finished in his professional career. An August 29 UFC 102 main event with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture should answer all the questions for this heavyweight legend.
4. Randy Couture – Following a highly competitive first round against top contender Brock Lesnar last November in the main event of UFC 91, Couture was caught with a looping right hand in the second that marked the beginning of the end of their historic title fight. A win over Brazilian heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 this month could net Couture a rematch with the man who took his belt, and if not, it will certainly get him back in the conversation.5. Shane Carwin – The biggest name on Carwin’s undefeated record to date is Brazilian knockout and submission artist Gabriel Gonzaga, who he defeated by first round knockout in March at UFC 96. At 6’3”, and weighing close to the heavyweight limit, Carwin could represent the most significant physical threat of Lesnar’s career thus far and he will get that opportunity at in the main event on the UFC 106 fight card in Las Vegas on Novermber 21st. 6. Cain Velasquez – Valasquez is only 6-0 in his professional career, but this Mexican standout has serious potential and title aspirations wider than the Atlantic. His strong wrestling pedigree was a definite plus as he recently went the distance for the first time in his career at UFC 99 against Cheick Kongo. While he was originally going to face Shane Carwin as the co-main event on the UFC 104 fight card, Carwin was moved into a title shot and Velasquez will now face UFC-newcomer "Big" Ben Rothwell. 7. Junior Dos Santos – Following back-to-back knockout wins over Fabricio Werdum and Stefan Struve, “Cigano” looks to be one of the brightest young prospects in the UFC’s heavyweight division. He will get the chance to make a serious case for top contender’s status when he takes on devastating striker Mirko Filipovic at UFC 103 next month. |
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8. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic – While “Cro Cop” has yet to get a truly relevant win inside the Octagon—his current record stands at 2-2—the popular Croatian heavyweight has promised American fans a return to prominence after his re-signing with the UFC this year. Following a disappointing first round TKO over Mustapha Al Turk at UFC 99, which was induced by an eye poke, Filipovik will face a stern challenge in his second trip to the cage this year when he takes on Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103 next month. This one should provide fireworks from the start.
9. Cheick Kongo – Before being outwrestled in his UFC 99 match with rising contender Cain Valasquez in June, Kongo was on a three fight-winning streak, albeit against mediocre competition. An upcoming rumored fight with Frank Mir this December should provide Kongo the opportunity to get the biggest win of his career other than his win over Filipovic in 2007.
10. Gabriel Gonzaga – If it wasn’t for his complete inability to recover from a significant amount of striking damage, Gabriel Gonzaga could be the UFC’s heavyweight champion right now. Following a stellar 2007 that saw him deliver a now-infamous head kick knockout or Mirko Filipovic and battle Randy Couture into the third round, Gonzaga has been somewhat inconsistent, most recently losing in the first round against Shane Carwin after having the American brawler hurt badly in the opening minute. An upcoming UFC 102 bout with Chris Tuchscherer seems to be an attempt to get the talented Brazilian back on track.
Look for updates on the Top Ten UFC Rankings to be up the first week of every month from here on out, only on ProFighting-fans.com and don't miss the June 2009 UFC Heavyweight Rankings.
By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Senior Staff Writer
Published August 2009
Photo used with permission from the UFC
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