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Light Heavyweight
1. Vadim Nemkov (15-2, 1 NC) | Bellator [1]
After struggling with the wrestling of Corey Anderson before their first meeting at Bellator 277 resulted in a no contest, Nemkov turned the tables in a major way their rematch at Bellator 288, winning a five-round verdict to retain his light heavyweight crown in the evening’s headliner. The Fedorteam representative is unbeaten in his last 11 professional appearances, a run that includes triumphs over the likes of Anderson, Phil Davis (twice) and Ryan Bader. Nemkov already has his next title defense scheduled: a showdown with Yoel Romero at Bellator 290.2. Jiri Prochazka (29-3-1) | UFC [2]
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. “Denisa” wanted to claim a more emphatic victory in a rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282, but a serious shoulder injury forced him to vacate the 205-pound belt, and his timetable for a return to the Octagon could be up to a year.3. Glover Teixeira (33-8) | UFC [3]
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, and he’ll attempt to prove Prochazka’s first win was a fluke in a rematch with the champion at UFC 282 on Dec. 10.4. Jan Blachowicz (29-9) | UFC [4]
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. Blachowicz will next face Magomed Ankalaev in a fight that will be for the vacant light heavyweight strap at UFC 282.5. Corey Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) | Bellator [5]
After using his wrestling to control the majority of his first bout with Vadim Nemkov before the fight ended prematurely due to an accidental clash of heads, Anderson had every reason to believe he’d be able to impose his will in the rematch at Bellator 288. Instead, Nemkov denied all of Anderson’s takedown attempts en route to retaining his 205-pound belt in a unanimous decision triumph. It’s another disappointing outcome for Anderson, who has been on the cusp of championships in both Bellator and the UFC but has come up short each time.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 will attempt to claim the vacant light heavyweight strap when he meets Jan Blachowicz in the UFC 282 headliner.7. Nikita Krylov (29-9) UFC [7]
Krylov proved himself to be more than simply a one-round fighter, as he blended striking and wrestling to wear down Volkan Oezdemir in a unanimous decision triumph at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 22. In winning via decision for just the second time in his professional career, Krylov survived some early adversity to earn his second consecutive triumph within the Las Vegas-based promotion.8. Volkan Oezdemir (18-7) | UFC [8]
Oezdemir got off to a strong start against Nikita Krylov at UFC 280, but he faded down the stretch, as he appeared to fatigue while consistently surrendering takedowns in a unanimous decision defeat. That halts the positive momentum “No Time” built in a tactical decision win over Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 208 and sends the former light heavyweight title challenger to his third loss in four outings.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 (16-1) | One Championship [10]
De Ridder surrendered his light heavyweight (225-pound) belt to interim heavyweight king Anatoliy Malykhin in lopsided fashion at One on Prime Video 5, falling via knockout 4:35 into Round 1 of their headlining clash. “The Dutch Knight” looked much smaller than his Russian foe, and he struggled to get the fight to the canvas as he absorbed punishing head and body work from Malykhin. De Ridder’s undefeated record is a thing of the past, but he remains the One Championship title holder at middleweight (205 pounds). It seems likely that his next bout will come with that belt on the line.Other Contenders: Phil Davis, Paul Craig, Jamahal Hill, Anthony Smith, Antonio Carlos Jr.
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