MMA Rankings > UFC Light Heavyweight Rankings

UFC Light Heavyweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 205-pound Light Heavyweight division - January 2012 Update

The UFC’s light heavyweight division is one of the deepest divisions in the UFC with almost every one of the top 205 pound fighters in the sport fighting in the UFC. With reigning champion Jon Jones being billed as unbeatable along with a slew of top contenders and former champions to choose from, the Light Heavyweight division seems destined to be the premiere destination for marquee match ups in the years to come. Also be sure to see our Bellator Light Heavyweight Rankings as we look at the top fighters from the UFC's biggest competitor.

Here are the UFC’s top ten light heavyweights for the month of January 2012.

Rashad Evans defeated Thiago Silva at UFC 108 to remain one of the top Light Heavyweight contenders in the UFC.

1. Jon Jones – (15-1; 9-1 UFC) – The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jonny “Bones” Jones just capped off possibly the most impressive year in MMA. With a win over fellow rising prospect, and undefeated Ryan Bader to get him into title contention, Jones went on to dominate Shogun Rua and claim the title he now holds. So far, his title run has been one of the most difficult for any UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with wins over former titleholders Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida. The future looks bright for Jones as he looks to be the most dominant champion in UFC history. Heading into 2012, Jones has said he would like to fight four times, similar to his impressive 2011 run.

2. Dan Henderson – (29-8; 5-2 UFC) – The oldest member on this list may be the next in line for a shot at Jon Jones title. He may also have the best shot at claiming that title. Henderson left the UFC after a contract dispute in 2009, moving to Strikeforce. After Strikeforce was bought out by the UFC’s parent company Zuffa, in March of 2010 the door was reopened for Henderson to make his return. Henderson rattled off wins over Babalu Sobral, Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael Cavalcante and legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. After becoming the Strikeforce champion, and beating a legend, the UFC wanted their star back. His latest victory, a win over former champion, Shogun Rua in a five-round decision leaves him at the top of the division.

3. Rashad Evans – (21-1-1; 14-1-1 UFC) – “Suga” Rashad Evans has been in line for a shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Title for some time now. After a win over Thiago Silva, he was appointed to coach opposite Rampage Jackson on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter with the winner receiving a title shot. Evans took a close unanimous decision over Jackson and was promised the next shot at Lyoto Machida’s title, following a rematch with Shogun Rua. Injuries plagued Evans, and he was forced out of his title bout with newly crowned champion, Shogun Rua. Jon Jones stepped in and captured the title. Being training partners, Evans and Jones were thought not to fight one another, but Jones accepted the fight with Evans, and a rivalry ensued. Evans was again plagued with various injuries, as well as Jones sustaining a hand injury, and his place in line for title contention was shuffled. After a win over Tito Ortiz, Evans now finds himself in a number one contender bout with Phil Davis for the next shot at the title.

4. Phil Davis – (9-0; 5-0 UFC) – “Mr. Wonderful” has skyrocketed his way into title contention with a win over Antônio Rogério Nogueira in March of 2011. Win wins over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson and an impressive submission of Tim Boetsch; Davis is scheduled to fight Rashad Evans for the next shot at the light heavyweight title.

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5. Quinton Jackson– (32-9; 7-3 UFC) – Rampage was given a shot at Jon Jones’s title after back-to-back decision wins over Lyoto Machida and Matt Hamill. He looked outclassed on the feet but was able to stuff a few of Jones’s takedowns. He survived into the fourth round before submitting to a rear-naked choke. It was the first time Rampage had been finished in his career. His next fight is scheduled to be against Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan.

6. Lyoto Machida – (17-3; 9-3 UFC) – After losing his title to Shogun Rua, “The Dragon” was given a tough road back to title contention. After a close split decision loss to Rampage Jackson, he rebounded with a win over MMA legend Randy Couture with a spectacular jumping front kick knockout. With Rashad Evans still injured, and with Rampage Jackson having just lost his title fight, Machida was the only logical choice for a title fight. Given his skill set, Machida was seen as a real threat to Jones’s title. He gave Jones some problems in the first round, but succumbed to elbow strikes and was eventually choked unconscious in the second round. With only one win in his last four fights, Machida falls out of the title picture.

7. Shogun Rua – (20-6; 4-4 UFC) –After losing his title in 2011 to Jon Jones, the future was uncertain for Shogun. He looked miserable in his title defense, and was unable to mount any sort of offensive attack. He rebounded with a knockout win over former titleholder Forrest Griffin in his native Brazil, and in his most recent outing walked away from a close fight with Dan Henderson on the wrong side of the judges’ scorecards.

8. Antônio Rogério Nogueira – (20-5; 3-2 UFC) – Little Nog was beginning to make his way into the title picture, but after losses to Ryan Bader, and Phil Davis, he fell out. He rebounded with a dominant performance against Tito Ortiz in December of 2011, and he looks to be clawing his way back into contention into the New Year.

9. Ryan Bader – (13-2; 6-2 UFC) – “Darth” Bader began his career 12-0 before facing fellow rising prospect Jon Jones. Bader lost via guillotine choke against Jones, and followed up that performance with another guillotine choke loss to Tito Ortiz. A hole in Bader’s game had been exposed, and he was on the hot seat facing three straight losses. He avoided the unofficial UFC cut policy with a spectacular knockout win over Jason Brilz in November.

10. Alexander Gustafsson – (13-1; 5-1 UFC) – “The Mauler” vaulted into the top ten win a win over solidified gatekeeper Vladimir Matyushenkoat UFC 141. Gustafsson is 13-1 with his sole loss coming to contender Phil Davis. His future looks bright, and he is expected to be featured when the UFC makes its debut in Sweden.

By Steve Cassidy
ProFighting-fans.com Senior Staff Writer

Published January 2012
Photo used with permission from the UFC

UFC Light Heavyweight Division Rankings

A review and ranking of the UFC's 205-pound Light Heavyweight division - January 2012 Update

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