The Doggy Bag: Lesnar Era Begins

Overrated?

I think you guys usually do a pretty good job with the rankings, but this time I have to disagree. Thiago Silva at number 8 on the 205-pound list seems off to me. He's undefeated, but who has he fought? I would argue [Mauricio Rua] “Shogun” belongs in that spot. He did lose to Forrest Griffin, but Forrest is currently ranked number 1, and he's beaten a healthy list of top light heavyweights.
-- Nik Kivich

Jordan Breen; radio host, columnist: I agree with you entirely on ranking “Shogun” above Silva here. Certainly, even with a loss to Forrest Griffin, Shogun's light heavyweight record over the last three to four years trumps Silva's.

However, for better or for worse, Sherdog.com's rankings currently exclude fighters who have been inactive for one year and no fight scheduled within the next 30 days, and that grace period passed for Shogun in September. Although we may consider revising the time window for inactivity in the future, when Shogun fights Coleman in January, he will be eligible for ranking just as Randy Couture was readmitted into our heavyweight fold after fighting Lesnar.

And, as to the quality of Silva's curriculum vitae, even if I am to concede Shogun, which would in theory make Silva our ninth-ranked light heavyweight, I don't see too many other 205'ers to rank ahead of him. Silva has 13 wins in just over three years time, dispatching all but one of them, and most importantly, the likes of Antonio Mendes, Tomasz Drwal and Vitor Vianna are quality B-level opposition in the division. I'd consider Luis Arthur Cane, in light of his two recent drubbings of Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Jason Lambert. However, beyond "Banha," you're really left with either Vladimir Matyushenko, whose winning streak has come against lesser opposition than Silva's, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (probably our hypothetical eleventh man in this edition of the rankings) who since getting smacked by Sokoudjou, has been less impressive than Silva against a similar caliber of opposition.

So, the 205-pound rankings will receive a shake-up soon when "Shogun" returns, if Rich Franklin finds continued success, and if a Matyushenko-Nogueira rematch comes off for January's Affliction. For now, however, Silva's ranking is righteous.

---

Grade A angus

What's the deal with the readers on Sherdog? I am starting to think that the average MMA fan is a highly retarded inbreed disgrace to the sport that they love. The emails posted in the last version of the “Doggy Bag” prove this theory.

The Randy [Couture] “nuthuggery” and ranking debates have been pounded out worse than Cain Velasquez's last opponent. Another email complained about your coverage of the WEC, lack of coverage of the recent Sengoku and a bias for Dana White. That was rather laughable, as any intelligent reader of Sherdog.com knows that the coverage of all MMA is next to none of the web today … This is like complaining that McDonalds has too much Angus on their Angus burgers.

I have to give props to the "Where is he Now" series. The article pertaining to Mark Schultz was excellent. One of the best MMA articles I have came across in a long time. I also enjoy all the pre-fight coverage with both main card and undercard fighters. Many MMA websites will have countless interviews with main card fighters, but rarely do you get to read or watch a good interview with an under card athelet. Another great feature of Sherdog that I am starting to love is the "Pros Pick.” It's awesome to see what our favorite pro fighters think of the upcoming fights. My only complaint for "Pros Pick" is to expand the dialogue for who will win or lose and why.
-- Benny

Loretta Hunt, news editor: Benny, Thank you for the kind words. I guess the Doggy Bag was created so readers like yourself, and the one you refer to who was featured in the last edition, can speak your mind. We do read and consider every comment that comes in –- whether positive or negative -- and hope to provide the fans of this sport with current and correct news stories, enlightening features and previews, and thought-provoking commentary. You, the fans, deserve nothing less for your dedication.

We do try our very best to balance out the coverage, but we also try and keep a keen sense of what the visitors want to read and go after it.

Our “Pros Pick” taskmaster, Mike Sloan, does an incredible job hunting down fighters, coaches, and trainers for their expert opinions. Sometimes I’m blown away with the people Mike is able to contact! I’ll pass on your request for longer explanations from the pros to the rest of the editorial staff.

As for the “Where is he Nows,” we have more on the way. The staff is really enjoying tracking down the figures that helped shape this sport and telling their stories. In turn, I think the fighters are also enjoying their trips down memory lane and re-igniting their connections with MMA.

If you have anyone in particular you are itching to hear about, feel free to email us at [email protected].