Light Heavyweight Top 21 Rankings

Sure, everybody has a top 10 ranking, but why not do a top 21 ranking for the weight division with the most talent and most recognizable names!

Rankings are subjective, so every time I see someone's top ten rankings in the Light Heavyweight division, it seems reasonable, but always absent a name or two.  That tenth spot is so elusive, even for top shelf talent.

Sure it's an honor to make the top 10, but this list should prove "who cares if you're just outside the top 10?".  Sometimes a guy in the 11-21 range is just a win or two away from a title shot.  Let's see who these awesomely manly studs are...

*note-  Anderson Silva is excluded because he may very well be at the top, but his commitment is in another division, so his inclusion is far too speculative.

*another note- Randy Couture is also excluded because he decided to take a fight at Heavyweight, which is kind of a freak show, and so therefore shows his commitment to a divisional title is lacking.  Plus, how many more years can he really do this?!?!

*one more note- Chuck Liddell is excluded because he should probably retire.

1.  Mauricio Rua

No duh.

2.  Lyoto Machida

That's logical.

3.  Rashad Evans

Fo sho.

4.  Quintin Jackson

Yaaawwwnn.  We all knew this right?

5.  Muhammad Lawal

He can probably only go down from here if he stays outside the UFC, but he's made the most of his opportunities from outside the world's largest promotion.

6.  Jon Jones

This young prospect still has a bit of proving to do according to most critics, but to say he hasn't been dominant against stiff competition would be a straight up lie.  He's a huge favorite against Matyushenko, and Matyushenko is straight up legit.  Check out his record (or #13 on this list).

7.  Rogerior Noguiera

He was bit lucky to squeak by James Brilzs, but will have a chance to redeem himself against similar match-up, but more dangerous, Ryan Bader.

8.  Gegard Mousasi

An ultra talented fighter who showed that he still has a few things to learn in his loss to King Mo.  If he can avoid being lay'n'prayed, he has a chance to achieve greatness.  He's still pretty young too.

9.  Forrest Griffin

It seems like it wasn't long ago that Forrest was the champ, but he needs to pull something amazing out of his butt again if he doesn't want this sport to leave him behind.

10.  Thiago Silva

Only losses are to Lyoto Machida, and a close decision loss to Evans in which Thiago supposedly had a bit of a back injury.  Thiago's skills and fighter spirit can take him a long way, but he needs to be more aware of his opponents threats if he can make a jump to the uber-elite.

11.  Ryan Bader

Now this is where it gets interesting!  Many people have Bader as a top ten guy and I can't blame them.  He is undefeated, with recently taking out the very respected Keith Jardine.  If Ryan Bader can get past Little Nog in their upcoming battle, expect him to entrench himself in the top 10 for the long haul.

12.  Rich Franklin

Another man occasionally placed in the top 10, and with good reason.  Rich is a highly respected former champion, who has recently showed he still has a lot of good fight left him.  He definitely has the heart of a champion, but does his body still have what it takes to compete with the best of the best.

13.  Tito Ortiz

It seems like Ortiz's glory days are long gone, but despite his excuses and nagging injuries, he's put up pretty good fights against good competition.  If he can get himself into the octagon, he will make his opponent have to earn the win, but the question still looms if he can defeat men who carry momentum with them.

14.  Vladimir Matyushenko

Vladdy has been around a long time, and he almost always wins.  Honestly, he's usually not the most exciting guy, but he understands the game, and that makes him always dangerous.  Overlook Vladdy at your own peril.

15.  Eliot Marshall

An alum from "The Ultimate Fighter" who has proved his value in the UFC, despite a split decision loss to the guy directly ahead of him.  The UFC inexplicably cut him after that loss, but expect Marshall to make another run at the big times.

16. Jason Brilz

It is honestly painful putting Jason Brilz this low in the list.  With his fight against Little Nog, it seemed Brilz can give any elite light heavyweight a run for their money.  The judges could have conceivably given him the nod in the little nog fight and he would be an easy placement in the top 10, but the sad reality is that he is 1-2 in his last 3 bouts...

17.  Brandon Vera

Vera is a serious threat to everyone in the division, but unfortunately, also to himself.  If he can get over his ego and approach a fight properly, I'd love to see him take care of business the way he used to be able to do.  He's a little like Thiago Silva in that he doesn't properly address his opponents strengths in his preparation.  Come to think of it, that would be an amazing next match for him after Thiago fights Boetsch.

18.  Matt Hamill

Jones Jones makes everyone look a bit silly, so that's understandable.  Hamill bounced back with a really good win against Jardine.  Handicapped or not, Hamill is a formidable opponent, but still has a lot to learn if he is up for it.

19. Cyrille Diabate

Diabate is no joke.  Now that he's in the UFC, expect to see him in some great fights.

20.  Keith Jardine

Jardine has a problem.  He doesn't win many fights.  But the magical thing is that you can't overlook the awesome wins that he does have, plus the good fight he put up against Quinten Jackson.  Let's see if he can use his head for better than just for blocking punches.

21.  Luiz Cane

Luiz Cane was in most people's top 10 just a few months ago, what happened?  The most talent rich division happened.  Right in his face.  Let's hope the exciting Brazilian striker can bounce back from consecutive defeats.

The talent doesn't stop at 21 folks.  Steve Cantwell, Brian Stann, Phil Davis, Tim Boetsch, Stephan Bonnar, Krzysztof Soszynski, and probably others I'm forgetting.  Who's up for making a decent top 30 list.......