Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Flyweight
Apr 23, 2008
FLYWEIGHT (125-115)
1. Shinichi Kojima (Pictures) (8-3-4)
After an absolutely humiliating 2007, the Shooto 123-pound world champion showed he had learned nothing in his bout with Eduardo Dantas (Pictures) by taking another fight at 132 pounds against So Tazawa (Pictures). He was thoroughly outworked in the match and saved by the referee while caught in a locked armbar in the third round. Hopefully it signals the end of Kojima's dream to be a two-division champion.
2. Yasuhiro Urushitani
(Pictures) (14-3-5)
After a year in which he was seemingly shortchanged at every turn, Urushitani will have the chance to solidify his status as the top contender to the Shooto 123-pound world title on May 3, when he takes on upstart rookie champ Ryuichi Miki (Pictures). A win would seemingly force a third clash between Kojima and Urushitani for the title.
3. Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) (20-4-3)
After his disappointing September loss to Urushitani, Mamoru has looked sensational in dominant decision victories over up-and-comers Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) and Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures). In knocking off Sugawara last month, Mamoru put one of the most exciting performances of his career in what may have been the best bout in pro Shooto thus far in 2008.
4. Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) (7-4-2)
After a great 2007 campaign, Shoujou took the step up in competition against former champion Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) last month. Despite a spirited effort, Mamoru was dominant for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision. Although losing to Mamoru is nothing to be ashamed of, Shoujou's loss illustrates the difficulty for up-and-coming flyweights to break the compact of the "big three."
5. Rambaa Somdet (Pictures) (4-2)
Surreal to say the least, former Thai stadium standout Rambaa "M-16" Somdet, after nearly five years away from MMA, returned to the ring last year. First he demolished 115-pounder Takehiro Harusaki (Pictures) effortlessly in July. Then in November he destroyed a streaking Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures), threatening with both submission attempts and vicious strikes before forcing a doctor's stoppage after the second round. While it's unclear if Somdet will continue campaigning at 115 or 123 pounds, the colorful and unorthodox fighter has commanded the attention of fans with his last two wins.
1. Shinichi Kojima (Pictures) (8-3-4)
After an absolutely humiliating 2007, the Shooto 123-pound world champion showed he had learned nothing in his bout with Eduardo Dantas (Pictures) by taking another fight at 132 pounds against So Tazawa (Pictures). He was thoroughly outworked in the match and saved by the referee while caught in a locked armbar in the third round. Hopefully it signals the end of Kojima's dream to be a two-division champion.
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After a year in which he was seemingly shortchanged at every turn, Urushitani will have the chance to solidify his status as the top contender to the Shooto 123-pound world title on May 3, when he takes on upstart rookie champ Ryuichi Miki (Pictures). A win would seemingly force a third clash between Kojima and Urushitani for the title.
3. Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) (20-4-3)
After his disappointing September loss to Urushitani, Mamoru has looked sensational in dominant decision victories over up-and-comers Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) and Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures). In knocking off Sugawara last month, Mamoru put one of the most exciting performances of his career in what may have been the best bout in pro Shooto thus far in 2008.
4. Yuki Shoujou (Pictures) (7-4-2)
After a great 2007 campaign, Shoujou took the step up in competition against former champion Mamoru Yamaguchi (Pictures) last month. Despite a spirited effort, Mamoru was dominant for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision. Although losing to Mamoru is nothing to be ashamed of, Shoujou's loss illustrates the difficulty for up-and-coming flyweights to break the compact of the "big three."
5. Rambaa Somdet (Pictures) (4-2)
Surreal to say the least, former Thai stadium standout Rambaa "M-16" Somdet, after nearly five years away from MMA, returned to the ring last year. First he demolished 115-pounder Takehiro Harusaki (Pictures) effortlessly in July. Then in November he destroyed a streaking Masaaki Sugawara (Pictures), threatening with both submission attempts and vicious strikes before forcing a doctor's stoppage after the second round. While it's unclear if Somdet will continue campaigning at 115 or 123 pounds, the colorful and unorthodox fighter has commanded the attention of fans with his last two wins.
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