(Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Some people weren't too happy with my decision to include the UFC heavyweight champ in last month's installment of the pound-for-pound rankings, clinging to the usual arguments made against Brock Lesnar.
This month, I counter with this: Lesnar had the same size advantage in his first fight against Frank Mir that he had the second time they met, yet the outcomes were different.
Why? Lesnar is evolving; he's learning to combine his massive size with his freakish athleticism and hands the size of lunch boxes.
As he continues to pick off top contenders, Lesnar will continue to climb these rankings, no matter how much his detractors dislike the idea.
Keyboard Kimura Pound-for-Pound Rankings (as of Sept. 24, 2009)
1. Anderson Silva—UFC Middleweight Champion (Last Month: 1)
He dominates two divisions and has put together a 10-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC. What more could you possible ask for?
Vitor Belfort appears to be the next man to try and take Silva's middleweight title, and while "The Phenom" has exhibited quick hands and a renewed dedication to the sport, a lot of fighters people thought would present a challenge to "The Spider" have been laid to waste in recent years.
Belfort will be no different.
2. Georges St-Pierre—UFC Welterweight Champion (Last Month: 2)
He's getting awful close to Anderson Silva territory, having cleaned out the welterweight division and done so in impressive fashion as of late.
Yes, there is the Matt Serra incident, but since that time, St-Pierre has been untouchable. Whether he's hesitant to get clipped again a la Serra or not, "Rush" has steamrolled (in order): Josh Koscheck, Matt Hughes, Serra, Jon Fitch, B.J. Penn, and Thiago Alves in a little over two years.
The only question that remains is "Who's next?"
3. Fedor Emelianenko—No. 1 HW Contender, Strikeforce (Last Month: 3)
Evan Shoman said it well when I interviewed him last month:
Come on...Fedor. No one is even close. People who know the sport, know this. Here’s why:
1. He’s never lost.
2. He’s never lost to someone he shouldn’t have.
3. Has been in wars and on the brink of defeat only to pull out the win.
Other P4P arguments are GSP or Silva. Numbers 1 and 2 don’t apply to GSP. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 don’t apply to Anderson.
That being said, he also hasn't challenged himself against the best in the world the same way St-Pierre and Silva have, so he remains at No. 3.
4. Lyoto Machida—UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (Last Month: 4)
The next time we see the UFC on pay-per-view, Machida will be making his first title defense against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
They say you're not a true champion until you defend the belt, so the pressure is on "The Dragon" to continue his undefeated career and silence any last remaining critics.
If we see the "Shogun" Rua who once dominated Pride, this will be an outstanding fight. If we see anyone else, we'll see another brilliant display of Machida's tactical excellence and surgical striking ability.
Both sound good to me.
5. B.J. Penn—UFC Lightweight Champion (Last Month: 5)
What makes Diego Sanchez any different from Kenny Florian, Joe Stevenson, or Sean Sherk?
All three came into their fight with "The Prodigy" in the best shape of their life, ready to dethrone the champ and show that he could be beaten at 155.
All three left defeated, forced to regroup and recover from being dominated by the best lightweight in the history of the sport.
Yeah, I said it...
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