I've been looking around the rest of B/R to find out what other sporting groups are focusing on for their articles.
What did I find you ask? Power Rankings!!!
Yes, we've seen MMA power rankings before, but none like this. We haven't hardly made it out of the top five, and when we do, we tend to start breaking them into their respective divisions.
But this power ranking system is different. It's overall MMA. Oh, and it has a bottom five of the people we know from organized MMA (obviously we wouldn't take the nobodies of the world into consideration here). And the Power Rankings will be consisting ONLY OF THE TOP 20 IN THE WORLD. If I were to go deeper, more controversy would ensue, and I'd be so tired. So no.
So, without further introduction, here is the MMA Power Rankings Week One edition on B/R. As always, comments are welcome, and if you don't like my rankings, by all means make your own.
1) Fedor Emelianenko
Simply the best. Better than all the rest. I know it comes from a song, but still. He's the best. He's proven it back and forth, and though Silva gives him stiff competition at this spot, right now he's the best, and come January, expect a war with Arlovski.
2) Anderson Silva
Simply the second best. Hahaha, the fact is that he very well could and maybe should be number one. I think if he does a little bit more at 205, sure, I'll give him the nod. Until then, I'll stick with Fedor for now...even though I'm a UFC man.
3) BJ Penn
This guy's BJJ is the best in the world quite possibly. He makes big men look like mice, and when he trains as hard as possible, no one, even Aoki, can beat him. Should be a great bout with GSP in the near future.
4) Georges St. Pierre
This guy's the class of the Welterweight division. He can take any welterweight out in the world, and come most likely January, we'll see if he can take any lightweight out in the world too.
5) Shinya Aoki
I put this guy here, even though he doesn't get half the recognition he deserves. I used to be blind to Japanese MMA, but B/R contributors have widely opened my eyes. Thanks crew.
6) Forrest Griffin
I dare you to find me one fighter in all of MMA that gives more to his sport than Forrest. Can't find one can you? Well, that's why he's sitting pretty at the sixth spot. Right now, no one better at LHW.
7) Randy Couture
Gotta give some love to the elderly. This man is simply remarkable, and he is who he is because of who he is. What? I know, but the fact remains Captain Couture is the second best HW, and once he finishes his career, he'll be the best coach around, even surpassing the great Greg Jackson.
8) Urijah Faber
This guy is unstoppable at 145 lbs. There is no way, NO WAY, at all, that anyone person will beat him at 145. Then, the only solution to being beaten is to go up to 155 and make the most amazing bout this century with BJ Penn.
9) Andrei Arlovski
Yes, I put him ahead of Nogueira and Mir, and any others right now. He's back to old Arlovski, the one that no one could beat. Lets see if he holds that mentality come January with the world's best.
10) Big Nog
He's the interim champ of the UFC, and rightly so, but don't give me this routine about how he'll go down as the best HW behind Fedor. The guy got smashed by both Sylvia and Herring, and for all you Lesnar haters out there, remember that Herring didn't come close to winning one round against that beast. Not many are better at BJJ, but up top, Nog's got some problems.
11) Quinton Jackson
Even though Rampage has had some problems recently, if he's able to pull through them, he'll be back on the road to redemption. And with such a stacked division, he has to rebound quick.
12) Eddie Alvarez
Also thanks to the B/R contributors, Alvarez has made me a believer. If he never got injured at the Grand Prix, he'd be the champ for sure. However, "Hellboy" Hansen came in and won, so good for him. Yet, Alvarez should defeat Diaz soon in EliteXC for the newly vacated Noons title.
13) Thiago Silva
I'm not a believer that injuries make a fighter drop off the planet. But it was devastating to see Silva not be able to compete against Machida. Now, after a little rehab, the bout should still go on, and Silva will still be one fight away from garnering that coveted LHW belt.
14) Lyoto Machida
Likewise, Machida also is one fight away from the belt just like Silva, and they should be the next ones in line for the winner of Evans/Griffin. Regardless, this guy has truly "Samurai'ed" his way to the title.
15) Dan Henderson
After showing where Rousimar Palhares was weak, this man will be the next coach of TUF. His U.K. counterpart may be Michael Bisping. If this follows through, Hendo will beat him (no doubt) and may be either one fight away from Silva, or the #1 contender at that time.
16) Kenny Florian
You are simply looking at the next man to challenge BJ Penn for the Lightweight title. There is almost no doubt that he beats Joe Stevenson, and gets the next shot. After his dismantling of Roger Huerta, Florian honestly deserved the shot then, but was forced into this bout with Joe Daddy. Should be a good bout with BJ, though many wouldn't give him a shot.
17) Thiago Alves
I'm not a fan of Alves. I think this is the 20th time I've said that, but obviously I mean it. But the win streak this guy is on is worthy of his bout with Diego Sanchez, and the winner of that could be looking at the winner of Penn/GSP.
18) Rich Franklin
Franklin, coming off a very good win against Matt Hamill is building on that win, and should get a pretty decent fight with another contender at 205. If he could continue to win, you may see him get to tangle with Silva for a 20th time...
19) Nate Marquardt
This guy is primed for another Anderson Silva matchup. He's looked the best, and when Cote gets picked apart by Silva, look for Marquardt to take really good notes.
20) Brock Lesnar/Takanori Gomi/Josh Barnett
As you can see, I didn't have the heart to leave these guys all off the list. If I left Gomi off, I'd get so much heat it's not even funny. Lesnar was a personal choice, as he'll shoot up next months' rankings should he beat Couture, and Barnett is the #2 contender only to Arlovski. I promise I won't do this again next month, but there's just so many good fighters!
Just Missed the Cut:
Gegard Mousasi- No more MMA for this guy....
Diego Sanchez- Lets see what he does against Alves
Fabricio Werdum- Overhyped to say the least...just a BJJ practitioner despite the Gonzaga KO
Shogun Rua- What have you done for me lately?
Paulo Filho- See Shogun Rua...and Dr. Drew for rehab.
Rashad Evans- If he beats Forrest, I'll let him take his place at six.
Tyson Griffin- I don't know why I left him off...I'll put him in the top 15 next month...if he doesn't lose to Sherk.
Bottom Five:
Matt Hughes/Serra: Aren't they one in the same? Haha, but seriously this is just an elderly battle now, and neither are serious contenders to the title now.
Houston Alexander: Talk about downfall. This guy didn't take the elevator down, he just jumped! We thought he wasn't just all hype, and well...he is!
Antonio Silva- Bigfoot can use it to stick in his mouth after a positive steroid test. Too bad...he looked destined for...Kimbo?
Kimbo Slice- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Brawlers will be brawlers...
Cub Swanson- Ever since his loss to Jens, he won't touch title contention for awhile now.
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about 1 month ago
Wow I dont know where to start. First Id like to start with a positive and say youve come up with a great idea. But might I suggest a more panel like list. For example have like the top 20 mma writers make a list ranking from 1-20 and give the spots based on points. Bleacher needs a good MMA PR list and what better list than a community list right, instead of 20 people each making there own and arguing over it.
As for the list you made, Werdum deserves a spot, ahead of Lesnar and Barnett. Arlovski shouldnt be ahead of Nog right now considering hes not a champ and his last fight was very unimpressive. Rashad deserves more respect as well.
I agree with leaving Filho and Shogun off the list being that theyve both been inactive for a while.
Bottom five I'd have to put in Ken Shamrock, hes still active and he just reportedly signed on to fight Frank
about 1 month ago
Great concept and glad you decided to take this on.
I also really like Mike's idea of a points based system. Perhaps we should talk to Zander and see what his engineers can do to streamline something like this.
I will try and absorb the list more before I leave any comments on how you ranked the fighter's.
Glad to see your latest article up and I am sure this one will spark some good debate! Keep up the good work Nick.
about 1 month ago
Thanks to both of you. Totally right you are Mike. I just felt like I had to get something out there, as it's been so long since I came out with a recent article. Panel-like is certainly the way to go. I'll send a few notes out, with both of you included. Thanks for the ideas, and the comments. Very respectful.
about 1 month ago
What does "I'm a UFC man" mean? Does that mean you are first and foremost a fan of organisations rather than fighters? To me that is a pretty soulless statement, the UFC are promoters, nothing more and nothing less. You might as well be a fan of Don King.
I'm a fan of GSP. A fan of Fedor. A fan of Couture. Just a fan of fighters wherever they may fight. Maybe one day that is how everyone will see the sport with fighters being big enough to hold the whip hand over the promotors. Hopefully that'll be the end of exclusive, one-sided, multi-fight contracts.
about 1 month ago
Big Nog at no. 10 = don't drink and post bro.
about 1 month ago
To Richard: By that statement, all I meant was that the UFC has the best fighters, and that means that I rather watch UFC fighters fight than any other promotion. As you may have realized, I'm not biased towards the UFC, rather they simply have the best fights, bar none.
To Anthony: I think that is an unfair statement. Big Nog is highly overrated. To put him ahead of the others I did is really a tough call to make. Who would you put there?
about 1 month ago
Jake Shields? Miguel Torres?
Also, I'm not sure why everyone is so high on Thiago Silva. Obviously he has been impressive so far but who has he really fought? James Irvin is his best win. Does that win and a couple other victories over top 50 guys warrant a #1 contender match with Machida? I'm not so sure ... If he beats machida he can be on the list but until then I probably would not put him on there.
about 1 month ago
I agree with Derek on Thiago Silva. How could you put him above Machida! Or Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin or Rashad Evans. Also, its very hard for me to see Arlovski, and even Couture, ranked above Nog.
Regardless this is an incredibly hard task for one person to put together. And people are always going to disagree no matter how good the list is.
So thank you again for putting the list together. And I look forward to B/R putting together a weekly fighter ranking system, by division. It would be similar to a college football type ranking where we would all get to cast our vote.
Jeremy Botter is currently working with Zander to make this happen. Thanks to him for his efforts to improve the site. And a Huge Thanks to the B/R engineers!
Keep up the good work Nick-
about 1 month ago
Nick I know you are a huge Thiago Silva fan, but I have to agree with Brian, Evans, Henderson and Franklin deserve to pass before him. As for Big Nog, here I agree with you, he's good, but not great. Until he beats Mir and the winner of Couture/Lesnar he should stay no. 10.
The rest looks pretty good to me, as for the panel list Mike was talking about... I want in.
about 1 month ago
Haha, you got it Jessy...and trust me if I wasn't such a huge fan, I probably wouldn't put him there, but I think with a win over Machida like Derek and Brian mentioned, he's valid. Trust me, there's not a day where I don't question some of these calls, but someone has to make them, and it's me today! Hahaha, thanks for the continued input guys.
about 1 month ago
I think that this ranking would make a lot more sense if the criteria upon which the ranking is based were explained in detail, and if it were shown how each fighter is evaluated according to this ranking. In addition, I would like to know how a "power ranking" differs from a "pound-for-pound" ranking. If "power" is in any way based upon hype and ability to draw an audience then #1 should be Kimbo and #2 should be Lesnar.
Speaking of Lesnar, that he is included on this list seriously takes away from its credibility.
Lesnar has a record of 1-1, has never finished an opponent and has not been seriously punched in the face! You write that he is included because of "a personal choice, as he'll shoot up next months' rankings should he beat Couture..." Are fighters ranked according to what they have done, or according to what we hope that they will do? If Lesnar is a "personal choice" then is this a "power ranking" or a ranking of "Nick's Favorite fighters"?
from about 1 month ago
Honestly Martin, I'll take Nick's defense here and say this. The reason I see Brock Lesnar in the top 20 right now is not for his record of 2-1 but rather all the hype behind him. His name is on everybody's lips and he's been doing pretty good since starting in MMA.
from about 1 month ago
Wow, how could you put Kimbo above Brock in strength. Kimbo has nowhere near the power of Brock. Brock can throw Kimbo around and is probably the strongest guy in MMA right now.
about 1 month ago
To kinda back up what Jessy said, Lesnar's on the list purely because he does have tremendous upside, and little downside. The fact that he hasn't finished the fights can be attributed to his rookie status. Brock will eventually learn that once he has a man like Heath Herring on his back, the one main thing he should focus on is punching his face till his arms fall off. His strength and size need to be utilized better for him to do very well, and if he learns that in a short amount of time, then the possibility of him defeating Couture becomes better and better. With that being said, his submission defense needs to be better, and he needs to train BJJ all day to progress. As time goes on, so will the skepticism decrease, and the word will spread more and more that he's a contender.
Oh, and thanks for the defense Jessy.
about 1 month ago
Mike, I think what Martin was saying is that IF I was referring to "power" as hype and ratings, then Kimbo beats Brock, which I agree with, and disagree with. But he certainly doesn't mean physical strength...I hope.
from about 1 month ago
"The reason I see Brock Lesnar in the top 20 right now is not for his record of 2-1 but rather all the hype behind him." That is precisely what I am criticizing about this list! Thanks for making it more evident. By your logic, if Kimbo had beaten Shamrock then he would be in the top 20? Top 10?
"To kinda back up what Jessy said, Lesnar's on the list purely because he does have tremendous upside, and little downside."
Meaning, he looks great on TV and draws ratings, but he has not shown any finishing power. Laying on top of Heath Herring doesn't count.
"Brock will eventually learn that once he has a man like Heath Herring on his back, the one main thing he should focus on is punching his face till his arms fall off."
Uhm, Lesnar hasn't figured that one out yet? Tell me, does one need to train in MMA to figure that one out? Regardless, Couture will give him a vivid demonstration.
So, he needs to learn Ground and Pound, Submission defence and BJJ...oh and he needs to beat someone relevant, but other than that he ranks while Rashad Evans doesn't.
Again, how is this a power ranking, and not a list of "Nick's Fav Fighters."
about 1 month ago
Not much to complain about with your pics, Nick. I'd have moved Werdum up a few slots.
The tweaking of your picks by the more knowledgeable MMA responders (I know who they are) lends even more credence to your article.
good job of penning your thoughts, Nick!
about 1 month ago
To Joseph: Thank you for the kind words. I've seen a few of your postings as well, and it certainly sounds like you know your MMA, AND manners.
To Martin: Once again, I do appreciate and respect your input. It's not a listing of my favorite fighters because A) These fighters really are NOT my favorite fighters...I'd have Matt Hamill in there otherwise, and B) Because it's a power ranking of the overall fighter, and what they bring. I do agree with your idea that I should have had a better rating system for this, but unlike judges, I don't want to be restricted to usual comment of: "since he has this and that and that, this alone is the reason for his spot here." If I say that, then I would have to come up with a rating system that would have way more criticism itself than what I'm receiving for my personal opinion of the top 20 fighters here. Oh, and I believe I said it best when I said: "If you don't like my rankings, by all means make your own." I would like to see your top 20 Martin (I don't mean that to come off as rude by the way). Please, if you do make your own, let me know.
from about 1 month ago
I took the time to read your work and respond to it. I didn't know that disagreement was the same as a lack of manners. I apologize.
about 1 month ago
No Martin, I really do want to see your list. I mean it.
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