The Rankings are just that – The MMA Manifesto’s rankings of the best fighters in mixed martial arts today. Check back every Monday and Friday for our rankings of a different weight class. Next up: The Light Heavyweight Rankings
Voting Panel: Jeff Fox, Daniel Vreeland, Ricky Leone, and Ryan MacDonald.
*stipulations: 1) any fighter currently suspended or 2) inactive for at least 12 months (without an upcoming fight scheduled) are excluded from the rankings
CLICK ON FIGHTER’S NAME FOR DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT
The Light Heavyweight Rankings
1) (Previous ranking (1) – Daniel Cormier – UFC Light Heavyweight Champion – 39 out of 40 points
Record: 18-1
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 2-0 (W-Gustafsson, W-Johnson)
Next Fight: TBA
Will Daniel Cormier ever get a chance to prove he can beat Bones?
Record: 22-5
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 5-1 (W-Teixeira, W-Manuwa, W-Bader, L-Cormier, W-Gustafsson, W-Davis)
3) (3) Alexander Gustafsson – UFC – 29 points
Record: 17-4
Last Five Fights: 2-3
Record vs Top 10: 2-3 (L-Cormier, L-Johnson, W-Manuwa, W-Rua, L-Davis)
Next Fight: TBA
The Mauler got a much-needed win last time in the cage.
Record: 22-5
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 2-2 (L-Johnson, W-Davis, W-Saint Preux, L-Teixeira)
Next Fight: TBA
Bader reeled off two-straight wins to end 2016.
5) (5) Phil Davis – Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion – 26 points
(Brad Penner-USA Today Sports)
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 3-2 (W-McGeary, L-Bader, W-Teixeira, L-Johnson, W-Gustafsson)
Next Fight: TBA
Record: 25-5
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 2-2 (L-Johnson, W-Saint Preux, L-Davis, W-Bader)
Next Fight: vs Jared Cannonier – UFC 208 – Feb 11th
Glover got absolutely smoked by Rumble.
7) (7) Jimi Manuwa – UFC – 15 points
Record: 16-2
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 1-2 (W-St. Preux, L-Johnson, L-Gustafsson)
Next Fight: TBA
Poster Boy picked up the biggest win of his career last time in the cage, KOing OSP in his native England.
8) (8) Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua – UFC – 8 points
Record: 24-10
Last Five Fights: 3-2
Record vs Top 10: 0-2 (L-Saint Preux, L-Gustafsson)
Next Fight: TBA
Shogun is riding a nice two-fight win streak.
9) (tied) (9) Ovince St. Preux – UFC – 6 points
Record: 19-9
Last Five Fights: 2-3
Record vs Top 10: 1-3 (L-Manuwa, L-Teixeira, W-Rua, L-Bader)
Next Fight: TBA
OSP once-promising career has hit the skids – two straight losses, three losses out of four.
Record: 11-1
Last Five Fights: 4-1
Record vs Top 10: 0-0
Next Fight: TBA
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
