Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Light Heavyweight
Feb 6, 2008
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (205-185)
1. Quinton Jackson (Pictures) (29-6-0)
"Rampage" has worked past the troubles that haunted him after a tough series of fights in Pride, the last of which saw him go down in defeat to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. The exciting and flamboyant UFC light heavyweight put himself on the map by blasting out Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in less than two minutes. He followed that with a hard-fought victory over Dan Henderson (Pictures) on Sept. 8. Next up, Jackson looks to become a crossover star, as he'll coach alongside Forrest Griffin (Pictures) as part of the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
2. Dan
Henderson (Pictures) (22-6-0)
Undersized for the division, Dan Henderson (Pictures) is not a known name amongst many casual MMA fans. A scrappy former Olympic wrestler who has worked hard to integrate a dangerous striking game punctuated by one of the best right hands in the sport, Henderson has continually defied the odds against heavier opposition. His 25-minute war against Jackson is indicative of how tough the 37-year-old Henderson can be. In March, Henderson will drop to middleweight for a meeting with UFC champion Anderson Silva.
3. Keith Jardine (Pictures) (13-3-1)
Proof that a good game plan and a quality fight camp can get you far in MMA, Keith Jardine (Pictures) enjoyed the benefits of both on Sept. 22 in out-pointing former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures). Like Liddell, "The Dean of Mean" was returning to the ring for the first time since suffering a brutal knockout loss, but Jardine showed no ill effects in winning.
An enormous win over "Shogun" validated Griffin in September. Now he will have the chance to add to both his celebrity and his résumé when he takes on a coaching role on the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which will culminate in a title clash against Quinton Jackson (Pictures). Silva's loss to Liddell allows Griffin to rise one slot, from fifth to fourth.
5. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) (21-5)
After back-to-back disappointing losses to Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Keith Jardine (Pictures), Liddell was in a must-win situation in his long-awaited showdown with Wanderlei Silva (Pictures). "The Iceman" turned in one of the best performances of his career, punching his way to a dominant decision against "The Axe Murderer." Next up the pipe may be an equally alluring bout with another top Brazilian in Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
6. Mauricio Rua (Pictures) (16-3-0)
After a dismal effort in September against Forrest Griffin (Pictures), many thought "Shogun" was in for a softball in his second UFC bout. Instead, the former Pride GP champ has signed on to face Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in another star-laden fight in arguably MMA's most illustrious division.
7. Lyoto Machida (Pictures) (12-0-0)
An undefeated record, years of hype and a riddle of a fight style have gained Machida attention, and his recent domination of a surging Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) really put him on the map. However, Machida's path to his deserved title shot now seemingly runs through former UFC poster boy and champion Tito Ortiz (Pictures).
8. Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) (31-8-1, 1 NC)
Silva fought gamely in losing a decisive decision to Chuck Liddell (Pictures) on Dec. 29. The 31-year-old Brazilian has lost three in a row, but there are still plenty of interesting matchups for "The Axe Murderer" heading into 2008.
9. Rashad Evans (Pictures) (11-0-1)
Evans' close decision win over Michael Bisping (Pictures) may not have gained him many fans or greatly increased his stature in the division. However, he has moved into position to challenge another undefeated up-and-coming light heavyweight in Thiago Silva (Pictures). If the bout materializes, it could put either fighter in the thick of things in a very deep 205-pound talent pool.
10. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) (4-2-0)
Africa's top mixed martial artist exploded upon the world stage in 2007 with early knockouts of then top-10 light heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) and Ricardo Arona (Pictures). Whether it was a case of too much too soon, or just being matched against a special kind of opponent, Sokoudjou was crushed by Machida in his UFC debut on Dec. 29. At 23 years old, Sokoudjou has all the time in the world to evolve into an elite fighter.
1. Quinton Jackson (Pictures) (29-6-0)
"Rampage" has worked past the troubles that haunted him after a tough series of fights in Pride, the last of which saw him go down in defeat to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. The exciting and flamboyant UFC light heavyweight put himself on the map by blasting out Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in less than two minutes. He followed that with a hard-fought victory over Dan Henderson (Pictures) on Sept. 8. Next up, Jackson looks to become a crossover star, as he'll coach alongside Forrest Griffin (Pictures) as part of the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
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Undersized for the division, Dan Henderson (Pictures) is not a known name amongst many casual MMA fans. A scrappy former Olympic wrestler who has worked hard to integrate a dangerous striking game punctuated by one of the best right hands in the sport, Henderson has continually defied the odds against heavier opposition. His 25-minute war against Jackson is indicative of how tough the 37-year-old Henderson can be. In March, Henderson will drop to middleweight for a meeting with UFC champion Anderson Silva.
3. Keith Jardine (Pictures) (13-3-1)
Proof that a good game plan and a quality fight camp can get you far in MMA, Keith Jardine (Pictures) enjoyed the benefits of both on Sept. 22 in out-pointing former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures). Like Liddell, "The Dean of Mean" was returning to the ring for the first time since suffering a brutal knockout loss, but Jardine showed no ill effects in winning.
4. Forrest Griffin (Pictures) (15-4-0)
An enormous win over "Shogun" validated Griffin in September. Now he will have the chance to add to both his celebrity and his résumé when he takes on a coaching role on the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which will culminate in a title clash against Quinton Jackson (Pictures). Silva's loss to Liddell allows Griffin to rise one slot, from fifth to fourth.
5. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) (21-5)
After back-to-back disappointing losses to Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Keith Jardine (Pictures), Liddell was in a must-win situation in his long-awaited showdown with Wanderlei Silva (Pictures). "The Iceman" turned in one of the best performances of his career, punching his way to a dominant decision against "The Axe Murderer." Next up the pipe may be an equally alluring bout with another top Brazilian in Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
6. Mauricio Rua (Pictures) (16-3-0)
After a dismal effort in September against Forrest Griffin (Pictures), many thought "Shogun" was in for a softball in his second UFC bout. Instead, the former Pride GP champ has signed on to face Chuck Liddell (Pictures) in another star-laden fight in arguably MMA's most illustrious division.
7. Lyoto Machida (Pictures) (12-0-0)
An undefeated record, years of hype and a riddle of a fight style have gained Machida attention, and his recent domination of a surging Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) really put him on the map. However, Machida's path to his deserved title shot now seemingly runs through former UFC poster boy and champion Tito Ortiz (Pictures).
8. Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) (31-8-1, 1 NC)
Silva fought gamely in losing a decisive decision to Chuck Liddell (Pictures) on Dec. 29. The 31-year-old Brazilian has lost three in a row, but there are still plenty of interesting matchups for "The Axe Murderer" heading into 2008.
9. Rashad Evans (Pictures) (11-0-1)
Evans' close decision win over Michael Bisping (Pictures) may not have gained him many fans or greatly increased his stature in the division. However, he has moved into position to challenge another undefeated up-and-coming light heavyweight in Thiago Silva (Pictures). If the bout materializes, it could put either fighter in the thick of things in a very deep 205-pound talent pool.
10. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Pictures) (4-2-0)
Africa's top mixed martial artist exploded upon the world stage in 2007 with early knockouts of then top-10 light heavyweights Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Pictures) and Ricardo Arona (Pictures). Whether it was a case of too much too soon, or just being matched against a special kind of opponent, Sokoudjou was crushed by Machida in his UFC debut on Dec. 29. At 23 years old, Sokoudjou has all the time in the world to evolve into an elite fighter.
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