UFC Power Rankings: The Top 25 Heavyweights

***Updated 8/11/2010***

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* Rankings are primarily based on recent performance, comparable opponents, and UFC win/loss record.

* Fighters are eligible for ranking in any division they have competed in within the past twelve months. (Fight(s) must be with the UFC.)

* For the purposes of these rankings, fights scheduled as catchweight bouts are considered to be fought at the next weight class above the weights the fighters weighed in at.

* It is nearly impossible to remove all subjectivity from rankings. Therefore, I invite you to comment below with any questions, suggestions, or disagreements.

25. Matt Mitrione

Record: 2-0

Age: 32

Last Fight: Win (TKO: Round 2) vs. Kevin Ferguson @ UFC 113 (5/8/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Joey Beltran @ UFC 119 (9/25/2010)

Matt Mitrione has proven that he is more than just a former NFL player by ending the UFC careers of two fellow TUF participants, Marcus Jones and Kimbo Slice. Now, Mitrione will get the chance to establish himself as a mixed martial artist if he can beat a legitimate fighter in Joey Beltran.

The fight against Beltran will be a pivotal one in Mitrione’s career. With a win, Mitrione would likely earn a lot of respect from the MMA community and a step up in competition would be in order. However, a loss could have people questioning if “Meathead” belongs in the UFC.

24. Christian Morecraft

Record: 6-1

Age: 23

Last Fight: Loss (KO: Round 2) vs. Stefan Struve @ UFC 117 (8/7/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Christian Morecraft nearly burst onto the UFC heavyweight scene after dominating Stefan Struve in the first round of their fight at UFC 117. However, a decision to exchange with Struve to try to finish the fight in spectacular fashion backfired.

Despite the loss, Morecraft’s first round performance showed that the UFC newcomer is capable of having success at the highest level. 

23. Antoni Hardonk

Record: 8-6

Age: 34

Last Fight: Loss (TKO: Round 2) vs. Pat Barry @ UFC 104 (10/24/2009)

Next Fight: TBA

With two consecutive losses, Antoni Hardonk’s UFC career could be on the line in his next fight. Hardonk is still awaiting word on who his next adversary will be.

In his last fight, the 34-year-old Dutchman was successful in using leg kicks to keep a fight with Pat Barry close. Then, Barry landed a quick combination that dropped Hardonk midway through the second round.

22. Jon Madsen

Record: 6-0

Age: 30

Last Fight: Win (Unanimous Decision) vs. Karlos Vemola @ UFC 116 (7/3/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Todd Duffee @ UFC 121 (8/23/2010)

After passing every test the UFC has thrown at him thus far, Jon Madsen will finally get an opportunity against a big name opponent. A win against Todd Duffee could catapult Madsen out of the kiddy pool and into the deep end of the heavyweight division.

21. Travis Browne

Record: 10-0

Age: 28

Last Fight: Win (TKO: Round 1) vs. James McSweeney @ TUF 11 Finale (06/19/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Cheick Kongo @ UFC 120 (10/16/2010)

After dismantling James McSweeney in his UFC debut, Travis Browne has been placed on the fast track to relevance by being matched against Cheick Kongo. A win over Kongo would add Browne to the ever-growing list of heavyweight prospects in the UFC.

20. Stefan Struve

Record: 20-4

Age: 22

Last Fight: Win (KO: Round 2) vs. Christian Morecraft @ UFC 117 (8/7/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

After being completely dominated by Christian Morecraft in the first round of his last fight, Stefan Struve baited Morecraft into an exchange that resulted in a jaw dropping comeback victory. While his stand-up game finished the fight, it was Struve’s active and persistent guard that allowed Struve to survive Morecraft’s nasty ground and pound in the first round.

At 22, Struve could earn himself a long stay with the UFC if he continues to win exciting fights like he did against Morecraft at UFC 117.

19. Pat Barry

Record: 5-2

Age: 31

Last Fight: Loss (Submission: Round 3) vs. Mirko Filipovic @ UFC 115 (6/12/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Despite making a name for himself by fighting Cro Cop, Pat Barry has really done very little in the way of producing results with the UFC. Barry’s record with the UFC includes a loss to Tim Hague, who was cut from the promotion, along with wins against Dan Evensen, also no longer with the UFC, and an aging Antoni Hardonk.

In order to remain in the top 20 heavyweights in the UFC, Barry will need to record a win against one of the fighters listed above him in these rankings.

18. Chris Tuchscherer

Record: 18-3, 1 NC

Age: 34

Last Fight: Loss (TKO: Round 1) vs. Brendan Schaub @ UFC 116 (7/3/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Chris Tuchscherer’s UFC career has been lackluster thus far. First round defeats to Gabriel Gonzaga and Brendan Schaub sandwich a mediocre victory over Tim Hague. Tuchscherer’s next fight with the promotion could be a win or go home situation.

17. Joey Beltran

Record: 12-3

Age: 28

Last Fight: Win (Unanimous decision) vs. Tim Hague @ UFC 113 (5/8/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Matt Mitrione @ UFC 119 (9/25/2010)

Joey Beltran will look to improve his UFC record to 3-0 when he faces Matt Mitrione at UFC 119. Although winning a fight against “Meathead” won’t do much in the way of rankings for Beltran, an impressive performance could earn him a step up in competition.

16. Gilbert Yvel

Record: 36-15-1, 1 NC

Age: 34

Last Fight: Loss (Unanimous decision) vs. Ben Rothwell @ UFC 115 (6/12/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

After being thrown to the wolves in his first two UFC fights against Junior Dos Santos and Ben Rothwell, Gilbert Yvel is likely in a must win situation to preserve his career with the promotion. The decision of Yvel’s next opponent might just be a matter of whether the UFC wants to keep Yvel around or not.

15. Todd Duffee

Record: 6-1

Age: 24

Last Fight: Loss (KO: Round 3) vs. Mike Russow @ UFC 114 (5/29/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Jon Madsen @ UFC 121 (10/23/2010)

In a fight that looked as if Todd Duffee was about to cruise to a decision victory, Mike Russow reminded the world that one punch can turn a fight from a loss to a win in a second. Before the fight, Duffee was beginning to receive a lot of hype because of his quick knockout against Tim Hague.

Now, Duffee will need to beat Jon Madsen in order to refuel conversation that he is one of the best young prospects in the heavyweight division.

14. Mike Russow

Record: 13-1, 1 NC

Age: 33

Last Fight: Win (KO: Round 3) vs. Todd Duffee @ UFC 114 (5/29/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

After his shocking KO victory against Todd Duffee, it was discovered that Mike Russow had broken his arm in the first round of that fight. While that fact adds to the magnitude of the comeback win, it won’t help Russow’s arm heal. Russow will now have to wait until at least late November to keep his momentum going.

13. Ben Rothwell

Record: 31-7

Age: 28

Last Fight: Win (Unanimous decision) vs. Gilbert Yvel @ UFC 115 (6/12/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Ben Rothwell rebounded from a disappointing UFC debut with a unanimous decision victory against Gilbert Yvel. However, Rothwell was forced to undergo surgery on an injury he suffered to his knee in that win. Rothwell’s recovery is expected to last into early 2011.

12. Brendan Schaub

Record: 6-1

Age: 27

Last Fight: Won (TKO: Round 1) vs. Chris Tuchscherer @ UFC 116 (7/3/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Gabriel Gonzaga @ UFC 121 (10/23/2010)

After losing in the TUF Finale, Brendan Schaub has rattled off two first round TKO victories. Schaub will now face Gabriel Gonzaga in what will be an excellent opportunity for the former football player to break into the top 10 of the heavyweight division.

11. Mirko Filipovic

Record: 27-7-2, 1 NC

Age: 35

Last Fight: Won (Submission: Round 3) vs. Pat Barry @ UFC 115 (6/12/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

It is no secret that age catches up with all great athletes eventually. However, every time people try to write Mirko Cro Cop off as finished, he responds in spectacular fashion. Most recently, Cro Cop won Submission of the Night honors, something no one could have ever predicted, in a win over Pat Barry.

10. Cheick Kongo

Record: 25-6-1

Age: 35

Last Fight: Won (Submission: Round 3) vs. Paul Buentello @ UFC Live on Versus 1 (5/21/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Travis Browne @ UFC 120 (10/16/2010)

Cheick Kongo avoided a third straight loss with a dominating performance against Paul Buentello in his last appearance in the octagon. However, Kongo has been unable to register a win against a big name opponent since a late 2007 win against Mirko Cro Cop.

Kongo’s top ten standing depends on a win against Travis Browne.

9. Gabriel Gonzaga

Record: 11-5

Age: 31

Last Fight: Loss (KO: Round 1) vs. Junior Dos Santos @ UFC Live on Versus 1 (5/21/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Brendan Schaub @ UFC 121 (10/23/2010)

Since serving Cro Cop a dose of his own medicine, Gabriel Gonzaga has gone a middling 3-4 with the UFC. Two of those three victories came against fighters who no longer fight in the UFC, and the other was against Chris Tuchscherer who appears to be on his way out very soon.

Similar to Kongo, Gonzaga may need a victory over Schaub in order to remain in the top 10 UFC heavyweights. His contender days would likely be numbered with a loss.

8. Randy Couture

Record: 28-10

Age: 47

Last Fight: Won (Submission: Round 2) vs. Mark Coleman @ UFC 109 (2/6/2010)

Next Fight: vs. James Toney @ UFC 118 (8/28/2010)

Randy Couture will return to heavyweight to fight James Toney at UFC 118. This is a fight that won’t have much of a positive influence on Couture’s ranking, but it will be huge in terms of keeping his legacy intact.

If Couture were to lose to Toney, it would be an embarrassment to mixed martial arts, and many would begin calling for Couture’s retirement—if they aren’t already, that is.

7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Record: 32-6-1, 1 NC

Age: 34

Last Fight: Loss (KO: Round 1) vs. Cain Velasquez @ UFC 110 (2/21/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Frank Mir @ UFC 119 (9/25/2010)

After 37 fights of never being stopped, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has lost by (T)KO in two of his last three fights. One of those losses came against Frank Mir, who Nogueira will face in a rematch at UFC 119.

It might be too early to assume Nogueira has developed a glass jaw after years of fighting. However, if he is finished again by Mir, the MMA legend might want to start thinking about planning for retirement.

6. Roy Nelson

Record: 15-5

Age: 34

Last Fight: Loss (Unanimous decision) vs. Junior Dos Santos @ UFC 117 (8/7/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Roy Nelson may have showed a good chin and a lot of heart in his fight for the top contender spot against Junior Dos Santos, but Nelson also showed the large gap that exists between the top four or five UFC heavyweights and the rest of the division.

Nelson’s next fight will determine a lot about his place in the division. That is because, perhaps more than any other fight on this list, Nelson’s rank is up for discussion.

5. Frank Mir

Record: 13-5

Age: 31

Last Fight: Loss (KO: Round 1) vs. Shane Carwin @ UFC 111 (5/27/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira @ UFC 119 (9/25/2010)

Frank Mir briefly considered attempting a drop to light heavyweight since his deflating loss to Shane Carwin at UFC 111. After scrapping that idea, Mir has been scheduled for a rematch with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Considering their last meeting, Mir should be a heavy favorite heading into the fight. A win would put Mir back into the mix for a title shot, while a loss would likely drop him from the top five.

4. Junior Dos Santos

Record: 12-1

Age: 25

Last Fight: Won (Unanimous decision) vs. Roy Nelson @ UFC 117 (8/7/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

With a dominating decision victory over Roy Nelson, Junior Dos Santos has earned himself a title shot against the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez. At 25-years-old, the future for Dos Santos appears to be very bright.

Dos Santos will have the luxury of having plenty of time to prepare for his championship fight. He should use that time to perfect his takedown defense, because no matter which opponent Dos Santos meets, they are going to try to take him down. Dos Santos was able to keep his fight against Nelson standing up, but doing so against Lesnar or Velasquez will be much more difficult.

3. Cain Velasquez

Record: 8-0

Age: 28

Last Fight: Won (KO: Round 1) vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira @ UFC 110 (2/21/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Brock Lesnar @ UFC 121 (10/23/2010)

After a knockout of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira showed the world that he is just as capable of winning fights standing up as he is by using his ground and pound, Cain Velasquez will now battle Brock Lesnar for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 121.

More than just an opportunity to become the number one heavyweight in the UFC, the young 28-year-old Velasquez will have a chance to begin what could be a very long reign as champion.

2. Shane Carwin

Record: 12-1

Age: 35

Last Fight: Loss (Submission: Round 2) vs. Brock Lesnar @ UFC 116 (7/3/2010)

Next Fight: TBA

Considering how close he was to dethroning the champion, it seems inevitable that Shane Carwin will be in line for another title shot somewhere down the road. With Velasquez and Dos Santos lined up to take their shots at Lesnar though, the pressure will be on Carwin to go unbeaten until another opportunity presents itself.

1. Brock Lesnar

Record: 5-1

Age: 33

Last Fight: Won (Submission: Round 2) vs. Shane Carwin @ UFC 116 (7/3/2010)

Next Fight: vs. Cain Velasquez @ UFC 121 (10/23/2010)

Brock Lesnar was exposed as a human in his win over Shane Carwin. Despite that, he is still the only human to take Carwin into the second round. More importantly, he is the only human to beat Shane Carwin. That win allowed Brock Lesnar to retain the heavyweight belt, which will be on the line again at UFC 121 when Lesnar fights Cain Velasquez.