Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Heavyweight
Feb 6, 2008
HEAVYWEIGHT (265-205)
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (27-1-0, 1 NC)
After quickly submitting Hong Man Choi (Pictures), Emelianenko may see his next competition come against another K-1 standout. M-1 Global is currently considering former Fedor foe and three-time running K-1 World Grand Prix champion Semmy Schilt (Pictures) as a candidate for the Russian's next competition. More likely, however, is a showdown in May against former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson (Pictures).
2. Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira (Pictures) (31-4-1, 1 NC)
In a vintage performance, Nogueira took 10 minutes' worth of championship abuse from Tim Sylvia (Pictures) before submitting the two-time UFC champ in the third round. With the victory, Nogueira became the only man to wear both Pride and UFC title belts, and he regains the No. 2 spot in the rankings. If "Minotauro" can duplicate his performance against other top-10 foes, he may regain the top heavyweight status he once owned.
3. Randy Couture (Pictures) (16-8-0)
Just when it seemed Couture couldn't capture any more headlines in 2007 after his underdog demolitions of Tim Sylvia (Pictures) and Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures), "The Natural" resigned from the UFC. A fight against Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) seems impossible, and Couture's next battle will be a legal one, as he attempts to get out of his contract with Zuffa. With Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures)'s win over Tim Sylvia (Pictures), Nogueira regains his former two spot, while Couture slips to three.
Through 10 minutes, Sylvia worked a perfect game plan in battering Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures). However, Nogueira made the most of his opportunity and swept and submitted the former UFC champion. Still a top heavyweight who may have title chances to come, Sylvia's route back to a title shot is anything but certain.
5. Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) (11-5-0)
After being held hostage by his promoter for most of 2007, the former UFC champ will see action in March against undefeated heavyweight prospect Jake O'Brien (Pictures). The bout will be relegated to the prelims, though, and win or lose, it could spell the end of the Belarusian in the Octagon. Nonetheless, Arlovski rises from sixth to fifth in the rankings after Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures)'s loss.
6. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) (10-3-1)
Werdum successfully rebounded from a woeful Octagon debut in April against Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) with a well-earned stoppage over Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) in January. Now, as Dana White has suggested, Werdum could have the opportunity to avenge a loss and snag UFC gold if a title bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) is inked.
7. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) (8-3-0)
After his devastating knockout of Mirko Filipovic (Pictures), many thought Gonzaga was the next UFC champion. However, Randy Couture (Pictures) brought him back down into the atmosphere, and then Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) slammed him back down to earth with a second-round stoppage in January. It remains to be seen if Gonzaga will be able to replicate his win over "Cro Cop" in the near future.
8. Cheick Kongo (Pictures) (11-3-1)
While no one can take away his win over "Cro Cop," one can certainly debate how the limited Kongo will fare with experienced grapplers in the future. The best way for the Frenchman to end such discussions would be to take a win over Heath Herring (Pictures) in March.
9. Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) (22-6-2)
"Cro Cop" is just 1-2 since joining the UFC ranks after winning the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix. After a considerable hiatus, especially for the active Croatian's standards, Zuffa has asked him to make an immediate decision regarding his future in the Octagon.
10. Ben Rothwell (Pictures) (29-5-0)
While Rothwell is unproven against top competition, the 26-year-old Miletich product is riding a 13-fight winning streak, including wins over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) and recently crowned IFL champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). With his relationship with the IFL looking a tad rocky, many are calling for Rothwell to take the jump in competition in 2008.
1. Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) (27-1-0, 1 NC)
After quickly submitting Hong Man Choi (Pictures), Emelianenko may see his next competition come against another K-1 standout. M-1 Global is currently considering former Fedor foe and three-time running K-1 World Grand Prix champion Semmy Schilt (Pictures) as a candidate for the Russian's next competition. More likely, however, is a showdown in May against former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson (Pictures).
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In a vintage performance, Nogueira took 10 minutes' worth of championship abuse from Tim Sylvia (Pictures) before submitting the two-time UFC champ in the third round. With the victory, Nogueira became the only man to wear both Pride and UFC title belts, and he regains the No. 2 spot in the rankings. If "Minotauro" can duplicate his performance against other top-10 foes, he may regain the top heavyweight status he once owned.
3. Randy Couture (Pictures) (16-8-0)
Just when it seemed Couture couldn't capture any more headlines in 2007 after his underdog demolitions of Tim Sylvia (Pictures) and Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures), "The Natural" resigned from the UFC. A fight against Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) seems impossible, and Couture's next battle will be a legal one, as he attempts to get out of his contract with Zuffa. With Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures)'s win over Tim Sylvia (Pictures), Nogueira regains his former two spot, while Couture slips to three.
4. Tim
Sylvia (Pictures) (24-4-0)
Through 10 minutes, Sylvia worked a perfect game plan in battering Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures). However, Nogueira made the most of his opportunity and swept and submitted the former UFC champion. Still a top heavyweight who may have title chances to come, Sylvia's route back to a title shot is anything but certain.
5. Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) (11-5-0)
After being held hostage by his promoter for most of 2007, the former UFC champ will see action in March against undefeated heavyweight prospect Jake O'Brien (Pictures). The bout will be relegated to the prelims, though, and win or lose, it could spell the end of the Belarusian in the Octagon. Nonetheless, Arlovski rises from sixth to fifth in the rankings after Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures)'s loss.
6. Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) (10-3-1)
Werdum successfully rebounded from a woeful Octagon debut in April against Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) with a well-earned stoppage over Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) in January. Now, as Dana White has suggested, Werdum could have the opportunity to avenge a loss and snag UFC gold if a title bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) is inked.
7. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures) (8-3-0)
After his devastating knockout of Mirko Filipovic (Pictures), many thought Gonzaga was the next UFC champion. However, Randy Couture (Pictures) brought him back down into the atmosphere, and then Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) slammed him back down to earth with a second-round stoppage in January. It remains to be seen if Gonzaga will be able to replicate his win over "Cro Cop" in the near future.
8. Cheick Kongo (Pictures) (11-3-1)
While no one can take away his win over "Cro Cop," one can certainly debate how the limited Kongo will fare with experienced grapplers in the future. The best way for the Frenchman to end such discussions would be to take a win over Heath Herring (Pictures) in March.
9. Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) (22-6-2)
"Cro Cop" is just 1-2 since joining the UFC ranks after winning the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix. After a considerable hiatus, especially for the active Croatian's standards, Zuffa has asked him to make an immediate decision regarding his future in the Octagon.
10. Ben Rothwell (Pictures) (29-5-0)
While Rothwell is unproven against top competition, the 26-year-old Miletich product is riding a 13-fight winning streak, including wins over former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) and recently crowned IFL champion Roy Nelson (Pictures). With his relationship with the IFL looking a tad rocky, many are calling for Rothwell to take the jump in competition in 2008.
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