Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Light Heavyweight
1. Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1) | UFC [1]
There were more than a few times when Prochazka appeared to be dead in the water against Glover Teixeira in their light heavyweight title bout at UFC 275, but ultimately the resilient Czech prevailed with a rear-naked choke submission at the 4:32 mark of Round 5. Had the bout gone to the scorecards, Prochazka would have likely been on the wrong end of a decision defeat. Instead, the former Rizin Fighting Federation titlist claims 205-pound gold and extends his professional winning streak to 13. “Denisa” has also finished his last 11 opponents inside the distance.2. Glover Teixeira (33-8) | UFC [2]
Teixeira was less than a minute from retaining his light heavyweight belt in the UFC 275 headliner before Jiri Prochazka ended his reign in heartbreaking fashion with a rear-naked choke at the 4:32 mark of Round 5. In a fight full of momentum swings, Teixeira controlled more of the action than his unorthodox opponent, but one key mistake in the waning moments brought an end to the Brazilian veteran’s six-bout winning streak. Regardless of how things concluded, Teixeira still looks to have plenty left in the tank with his 43rd birthday on the horizon and he confirmed in his post-fight interview that he plans to keep going in his MMA career.3. Jan Blachowicz (29-9) | UFC [3]
It probably wasn’t the way he drew it up, but Blachowicz won’t return his victory over Aleksandar Rakic, which occurred when his opponent suffered a knee injury in the third round of their headlining bout at UFC on ESPN 36. The Pole returns to the win column after relinquishing the light heavyweight crown to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267 and has won six of seven bouts dating back to July 2019. At the very least, Blachowicz’s latest triumph keeps him in the title discussion at 205 pounds.4. Corey Anderson (16-5, 1 NC) | UFC [4]
Anderson’s title fight clash with Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 277 on April 15 ended in disappointment for all involved, but especially for challenger Anderson, who appeared to be winning when an inadvertent clash of heads ended the fight in the second round. Considering that Anderson remains the most deserving challenger to Nemkov’s title, an immediate rematch seems likely, and the onus will be on the champ to find an answer for Anderson’s wrestling by then.5. Vadim Nemkov (14-2, 1 NC) | UFC [5]
Nemkov had plowed through the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix, defending his title at each stop along the way, in order to meet Corey Anderson in the final at Bellator 277 on April 15. Their matchup seemed to be a win-win proposition for the promotion — that is, until an accidental clash of heads resulted in a no-contest in the second round. Nemkov retained his title as a result, but considering that Anderson appeared to be winning until the untimely stoppage, the champ will have just as much to prove in their inevitable rematch as the challenger.6. Magomed Ankalaev (17-1) | UFC [6]
Ankalaev capitalized on a an apparent leg injury to opponent Anthony Smith at UFC 277, winning via technical knockout in the second round of their light heavyweight feature. The 30-year-old Dagestani has now won nine straight fights in UFC competition, with the last three coming against former title challengers in Smith, Thiago Santos and Volkan Oezdemir. Ankalaev’s own championship opportunity could very well be on the horizon.7. Dominick Reyes (12-3) | UFC [7]
Reyes was plenty game against Jiri Prochazka in the UFC on ESPN 23 main event, but he simply couldn’t go blow-for-blow with his Czech opponent, and the end result was knockout loss 4:29 into the second round of their May 1 bout. The Californian’s future seemed bright following a contentious decision loss to then 205-pound champ Jon Jones at UFC 247, but back-to-back KO defeats at the hands of Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz have changed that outlook for the time being.8. Volkan Oezdemir (18-6) | UFC [8]
Oezdemir halted a two-bout skid at UFC Fight Night 208 in London, as he captured a unanimous decision over Paul Craig in a featured light heavyweight bout on July 23. “No Time” exhibited a sound strategy as he largely avoided entering Craig’s guard and forced his opponent to engage in a standup battle, which he won with relative ease. The former title challenger is still a ways from the top of the division, but the win over Craig keeps him in the mix for another ranked foe in his next Octagon appearance.9. Aleksandar Rakic (14-3) | UFC [9]
Rakic was engaged in a competitive battle with Jan Blachowicz at UFC on ESPN 36 when disaster struck, as “Rocket” suffered a right knee injury while moving backward early in the third round of their light heavyweight headliner. Not only is it a missed opportunity for Rakic to make a serious statement in the division, but the Austrian could face a lengthy rehab depending on the severity of the ailment.10. Reinier de Ridder (16-0) | One [10]
“The Dutch Knight” dazzled at One 159, snaring Vitaly Bigdash in a sensational first-round inverted triangle choke to retain his One Championship middleweight (205-pound) belt. The two-division champ’s record now stands at a perfect 16-0, and he is making a strong case to be considered the Singaporean promotion’s most dominant champion and top overall talent. If de Ridder plans to defend his light heavyweight belt next, a matchup with BJJ legend and undefeated MMA prospect Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida looms large.Other Contenders: Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, Paul Craig, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos.
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