MMA Rankings: End of Summer Edition (Divisional and Pound-for-Pound)

After a July lull MMA action exploded in August. Three separate UFC events, a WEC card and a Strikeforce debacle, not to mention a fair amount of Japanese MMA events.

The UFC Middleweight and Lightweight belts were defended, as was the WEC Bantamweight crown and the Sengoku Middleweight title. Strikeforce crowned a new middleweight king and at light-heavyweight a king was dethroned.

Shake ups in almost every division in MMA heading into fall, so lets get to it.

Heavyweight Division

1. Brock Lesnar (5-1) UFC Champion (pictured)

Lesnar impressed with his heart, grit, chin and submission chops. Lesnar is in good health and getting back in the cage in October against possibly the biggest challenge of his career thus far in Cain Velasquez.

2. Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1)

Werdum pulled off a huge upset against Fedor, and now he has gone under the knife to fix his elbow. Werdum will be out for several months and no word from Strikeforce on when they expect to fight again.

3. Fedor Emelianenko (31-2, 1 NC)

Fedor is coming off the first real loss of his career and there is no clear word on who his next fight will be against. A rumored fight for the Strikeforce belt against Alistair Overeem has fallen apart, and now Strikeforce is locked in talks with Fedor.

4. Cain Velasquez (8-0)

Velasquez is posed for his first title shot, and he is a serious threat to take over the division. Long and strong, with blinding speed, awesome cardio and very technical wrestling and boxing, Velasquez is a match for any heavyweight in MMA.

5. Junior dos Santos (11-1)

Dos Santos, like Velasquez, is a young heavyweight who has become a very strong contender. He boasts very powerful and dangerous boxing, and showed a strong chin against Roy Nelson. There is still room for improvement, dos Santos needs to diversify his striking attack and his ground game is largely untested. Word is he is slotted for the winner of Velasquez/Lesnar

6. Shane Carwin (12-1)

Carwin is coming off a tough loss in which all the questions about his cardio came home to roost. There is a cloud around Carwin with steroid accusations and his general demeanor towards the media in general. That said Carwin is a tough draw for anyone and I would not want to be his next opponent. 

7. Alistair Overeem (33-11, 1 NC) Strikeforce Champion

Its unclear if Overeem will fight in MMA again before the end of the year or if he will take a crack at the up-coming K-1 tournament.

8. Frank Mir (13-5)

Mir's rematch with Nogueira has been put on hold, and instead he gets another Pride legend in Mirko Cro Cop. Mir should win this new match fairly easily and then possibly get his match with Nogueira.

9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1, 1 NC)

Sidelined by injury after an unimpressive loss, the arrow seems firmly pointed down for this old warrior. Nogueira is likely going to be out for the rest of the year.

10. Antonio Silva (14-2)

After his domination of Andrei Arlovski, Silva is is waiting around for an opponent. Fedor is a possibility in his future, but in classic Strikeforce fashion, nothing is certian.  

Honorable Mentions:
Josh Barnett, Roy Nelson, Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski, Ben Rothwell

Light Heavyweight Division

1. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-4) UFC Champion

Rua has returned to the top of the Light Heavyweight pile with his defeat of Lyoto Machida. Another knee surgery has sideline the champ, but for the first time he is having it done in the U.S. and not Brazil. Dana White and the UFC are expecting a full and speedy recovery.

2. Lyoto Machida (16-1)

Machida is coming off the first loss of his career and now is facing a contenders match with Rampage Jackson at UFC 123. His faith in karate may be shaken, but this match up seems the ideal forum to flex his striking.

3. Rashad Evans (15-1-1)

Now officially the No. 1 contender for the belt, Evans is waiting around for Rua to heal up.

4. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (30-8)

Jackson is at a cross-roads in his career, can he get away from the flat footed boxing style that he has developed or will he be picked apart by Lyoto Machida? Jackson is still talented enough to be a top fighter, but his dedication is a serious concern.

5. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-3)

'Little' Nog is coming off a less than inspiring performance against Jason Brilz and looking to make a statement against a superior version of Brilz in Ryan Bader. If Nogueira can handle the powerful wrestler his name will be throw in the title hunt.

6. Forrest Griffin (17-6)

The former Champion has been sidelined by injury, no word on who his next match will be.

7. Jon Jones (11-1)

Jones made short work of Vladimir Matyushenko and is certain to be tested by a fellow Top 10 fighter. Jones has shown off flashy striking, technical takedowns and dominate top position.

8. Thiago Silva (14-2)

Yet another fighter sidelined by injury, Silva hasn't fought since pushing Rashad Evans in their January match.

9. Gegard Mousasi (28-3-1)

Mousasi shredded Jake O'Brien in their July 10th meeting. His defensive wrestling is still a concern but his striking and offensive grappling is still top notch.

10. Ryan Bader (11-0)

Bader has been working his way up the rankings since winning TUF 8 back in 2008. His strong wrestling and powerful boxing has allowed him to go undefeated thus far in his career, but his cardio a serious concern. Also his chin and submission defense have yet to be tested.

Honorable Mentions:

'Feijiao' Cavalcante (pictured), Muhammed Lawal, Phil Davis, Rich Franklin, Randy Couture

Middleweight Division

1. Anderson Silva (27-4) UFC Champion (pictured)

Silva was hurt, tired and being dominated. He was a mere 30 seconds from losing his title and place in history, but then he showed a heart and grit we've never seen from this dominant champion. His submission victory is one of the greatest finishes in MMA history and has only added to his legend. 

2. Chael Sonnen (24-11-1) (pictured)

Sonnen did a lot of talking before the fight and during the fight he walked an awful lot of that talk. Sonnen dominated with wrestling, but his Achilles Heel in submission defense ended his title dream. Sonnen is not a well rounded fighter and needs to expand his training if he wants to win his pending rematch.

3. Nate Marquardt (29-9-2)

Marquardt was hoping for an easy win before getting his second title shot, what he got was his defensive wrestling exposed by Chael Sonnen. Now Marquardt is facing leg lock ace Rousimar Palhares to get back in the title picture.

4. Demian Maia (13-2)

Maia rebounded from his loss to Anderson Silva by utterly dominating Mario Miranda. Maia is able to crush any middleweight on the ground and his Judo is excellent as well, but his striking will always be a weak point.

5. Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (13-2 1 NC) Strikeforce Champion

Souza contiues his meteoric rise up the rankings. He is an amazing athlete with world class BJJ, excellent Judo, good wrestling and very impressive striking. Souza won the Strikeforce title without using any of his grappling ability and he has the talent to end up at the top of the list.

6. Yushin Okami (25-5)

Okami demonstrated the difference between competitive wrestling and MMA wrestling when he completely out-wrestled NCAA Champion Mark Munoz. Okami has gotten his name back in the title picture with that win.

7. Dan Henderson (25-8)

Henderson has been sidelined not by injury but by Strikeforce dragging their feet and its not clear if Henderson will fight at 185 or 205.

8. Vitor Belfort (19-8)

Belfort has been out of action for nearly a full year and has yet to fight in the UFC middlweight division. His striking will always make him a threat but he hasn't tested in some time.

9. Jorge Santiago (22-8) Sengoku Champion

Santiago defended his belt against Kazuo Misaki in a Fight of the Year candidate. Santiago is running out of competition in Japan and could return to the States for Strikeforce.

10. Alan Belcher (16-6)

Belcher was supposed to face Demian Maia but an injury took him out of that match.

Honorable Mentions:
Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, Rousimar Palhares, Chris Leben, Robbie Lawler

Welterweight Division

1. Georges St. Pierre (20-2) UFC Champion (pictured)

GSP is the most well-rounded fighter in MMA. There is nothing left for him to prove, and at 170 lbs, he is the best welterweight ever. Enjoy it.

2. Jon Fitch (23-3, 1 NC)

Fitch has cemented his place in the division with his dominating win over Thiago Alves. Fitch is the second best welterweight in the world unquestionably and it also fairly unquestionable that he can't beat GSP.

3. Josh Koscheck (15-4)

Josh Koscheck earned his way back into the TUF house, as a coach this time around with his 3 round dismissal of Paul Daley. Kos gets his title shot and his big moment in the spot light.

4. Martin Kampmann (16-3)

Kampmann's victory over Paulio Thiago put him in line for a title shot, but to get his shot he has to welcome Jake Shields to the UFC.

5. Jake Shields (25-4-1)

Shields was very successful in his move to Middleweight, but he is returning to his natural weight class to make his UFC debut.

6. Thiago Alves (16-7)

Alves looked unimpressive in his return to the Octagon and his failure to make weight has opened discussion to his moving to 185 lbs.

7. Nick Diaz (22-7, 1 ND) Strikeforce Champion

Its rumored that KJ Noons is set to move up to fight Nick Diaz, but as it sits Diaz is set to fight TBA in October.

8. Paulo Thiago (13-2)

After getting drummed by Kampmann, Thiago is set to face Deigo Sanchez at UFC 121.

9. Dan Hardy (23-7, 1 NC)

Hardy is set to fight at UFC 120 against Carlos Condit. Hardy is one of the better strikers at 170, but it will be sternly tested by the hyper-aggressive Condit.

10. Carlos Condit (25-5)

Condit has been stuck in the lower end of the Top 15 for some time and a victory over Dan Hardy in England would allow him to break through to the more elite ranks.

Honorable Mentions:

Ben Askren, Paul Daley, Mike Swick, Dan Hornbuckle, Matt Hughes

Lightweight Division

1. Frankie Edgar (13-1) UFC Champion (pictured)

Frankie Edgar silenced doubters around the MMA world by throughly beating B.J. Penn in every facet of MMA for five rounds. Edgar has earned his title and spot a top this list.

2. Gilbert Melendez (18-2) Strikeforce Champion

Nobody is sure what is next for Melendez, he is on suspension for his role in the Nashville brawl and Strikeforce doesn't seem to have a true challenger for him yet. Rumors fly of a possible co-promotion with Bellator and match with Alvarez.

3. Shinya Aoki (24-5, 1 NC) Dream Champion

Aoki made short work of Dream's top challenger Kawajiri with an ankle lock and now a return to the states seems to be in his future.

4. Gray Maynard (10-0, 1 NC)

Maynard's controlling win over Kenny Florian has earned him a title shot. His wrestling is certainly enough to threaten Edgar's belt and was the deciding factor in their first meeting.

5. B.J. Penn (15-7-1) (pictured)

Penn is the best fighter ever at 155 lb, but that didn't help him against Frankie Edgar. Penn has a lot of questions to answer and his legacy depends on finding the right answers.

6. Eddie Alvarez (20-2) Bellator Champion

With Jeff Curran's injury Robert Huerta has stepped in to face Alvarez for Bellator. Alvarez has outstanding boxing and wrestling, and his submission game is evolving, he could very soon be considered a top 3 lightweight.

7. George Sotiropoulos (13-2)

The Aussie is one fight away from a title shot by all accounts. With 6 straight wins since joining the UFC, Sotiropoulos has shown off both great grappling and striking skills. He is hitting his stride and will be a stiff test for any fighter on this list.

8. Kenny Florian (13-5)

Florian lost his first non-title fight since his 2005 loss to Deigo Sanchez at Middleweight at the orginal TUF final. Florian is still an elite lightweight, but he seems to have a mental block in big fights.

9. Evan Dunham (11-0)

Dunham impressed a lot of people with his dominating win over Tyson Griffin. Dunham has blended his wrestling with a Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu to a threatening array of grappling. His striking leaves something to be desired and I'd expect another developmental bout before he gets tossed in to the cage with a contender.

10. Tatsuya Kawajiri (26-6-2)

Karajiri's title shot lasted all of 1:53, over a minute of that was fighting off the ankle lock that eventually forced him to tap. Kawajiri and his dominate top position game will be back with out a doubt, but his title dreams have been derailed.

Honorable Mentions:

Ben Henderson, Jim Miller, Sean Sherk, Tyson Griffin, Takanori Gomi

Featherweight Division

1. Jose Aldo (17-1) WEC Champion (pictured)

Aldo looked like Anderson Silva when he was at the top of his game. Aldo just ate Faber alive! I think if he has another title defense like that the drum really starts beating for him to move up to 155 lb in the UFC.

2. Marlon Sandro (17-1) Sengoku Champion

This kid could be the hardest puncher in all of MMA, his last two opponents were finished with single, clean punches and had to be taken out on stretchers. He has outstanding Jiu Jitsu to go with his amazing power in his hands. He is a wrecking machine, but sadly his friendship with training partner Jose Aldo is stopping Zuffa from even bringing him into the WEC, due to their refusal to face each other.

3. Bibiano Fernandes (8-2) Dream Champion

Fernades is coming off back-to-back split decisions, and is currently the DREAM featherweight champion after his win over Joachim Hansen.

4. Manny Gamburyan (11-4)

Gamburyan's natural power has blossomed since his drop to 145 lbs, which Mike Thomas Brown found out when he got melted by a right hand. Gamburyan looks to be Aldo's next challenger.

5. Urijah Faber (23-4)

Faber, while still a fantastic wrestler, had no answer for Jose Aldo. While still an elite featherweight, his title days at this weight are over. Look for him to drop down to bantamweight to challenge for a title there.

6. Mike Thomas Brown (23-6)

Since winning the WEC Championship Brown is 3-2, with both his losses being TKOs. Brown has talent and heart, but he has to get back to his grappling if he wants a shot at the title.

7. Michihiro Omigawa (10-8-1)

I know what you're thinking: How can a nearly .500 fighter be in the Top 10? Well the majority of those losses came at lightweight. He is 6-2-1 at featherweight and his win over highly-touted American Micah Miller this Sunday cements his place in the Top 10.

8. Josh Grispi (14-1)

Grispi returned to action from injury with a quick and efficient submission of LC Davis. Grispi was thought to be a real challenger in the making and with his health returned he can get back on track.

9. Hatsu Hioki (21-4-2 NC)

A Shooto veteran and BJJ brown belt, Hioki has dominated the Sengoku until his highly controversial split-decision loss to Omigawa.

10. Diego Nunes (14-1)

Diego Nunes rebounded from a loss to LC Davis with a split decision win over Raphael Assuncao at WEC 49.

Honorable Mentions:

Masanori Kanehara, Raphael Assuncao, L.C. Davis, Joe Soto, Deividas Taurosevicius.

Bantamweight Division

1. Dominick Cruz (16-1) WEC Champion pictured

Cruz won a close decision with his boxing and wrestling ability. Cruz has excellence defensive skills and looks like he could be a champion for some time.

2. Scott Jorgensen (11-3)

Jorgensen's win over Brad Pickett lines him up as the next likely challenger for the WEC belt. His outstanding front head lock series makes him a serious threat to anyone who shoots for a take down on him.

3. Joseph Benavidez (12-2)

While Benavidez lost a close decision he showed clear improvements since his last fight with Cruz. While he was beaten, Benavidez has firmly established himself in the elite of Bantamweights.

4. Brian Bowles (8-1)

The former champion has very well-rounded skills, but his casual withdrawal from his first defense has some questioning his resolve and heart. Those questions will be impossible to answer until Bowles heals up and gets back in the cage.

5. Miguel Torres (37-3)

The most decorated bantamweight in MMA history, Migeul Torres went from elite champion to being possibly left behind in a past era very quickly. After five years where Torres knew only victory, back-to-back losses via TKO and submission have put his career in a minor tailspin. Torres needs to make a statement with his next fight to avoid slipping further down.

6. Takeya Mizugaki (13-4-2)

Mizuagki is in no man's land in the WEC; his win over Rani Yahya proves he is legit, but his losses to Miguel Torres and Scott Jorgensen put him towards the back of the line. If a Faber vs. Torres fight doesn't happen, he could get a rematch with Torres.

7. Damacio Page (15-4)

A victim in 2008 of a Brain Bowles submission, Page has been working his way back up the rankings towards a title shot with a pair of first-round finish victories.

8. Shuichiro Katsumura (11-7-3)

Katsumura won the Shooto championship with an unlikely submission victory over Masakatsu Ueda.

9. Masakatsu Ueda (11-1-2)

This very decorated Shooto champion took his challenger in Kasumura a little too lightly and was caught in a Brabo Choke. Look for Ueda to get a rematch and reclaim his title.

10. Wagnney Fabiano (14-2)

Honorable Mention: Cole Escvedo, Eddie Wineland, Rani Yahya, Charlie Valencia, Masakazu Imanari

Pound-for-Pound

1. Georges St. Pierre (20-2) UFC Welterweight Champion (pictured)

What more can you say about GSP? He has been dominating one of the toughest divisions in MMA and looked good doing it.

2. Anderson Silva (27-4) UFC Middleweight Champion

While Chael Sonnen reminded up that Silva's wrestling represents a giant hole in his game, Silva showed guts and grit for the first time in his UFC stint and only served to cement Silva's place.

3. Frankie Edgar (13-1) UFC Lightweight Champion

Now that he has earned his second win over BJ Penn, Edgar has an extremely strong resume now with wins over Sherk, Griffin, Miller and now Penn x2.

4. Jose Aldo (17-1) WEC Featherweight Champion

Aldo is simply fantastic, he is very close to clearing out the Featherweight division and I fervently hope he moves to the UFC Lightweight division.

5. Jon Fitch (22-3, 1 NC)

With his win over Thiago Alves, Fitch is now an amazing 13-1 in the UFC. Fitch is a fanstastic grappler who can control just about anyone, but the knock on him contiues to be his lack of finishing ability.

6. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-4) UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Rua has returned to the top of 205 lbs and is again amoung the elite of MMa and also he has gone back under the knife for knee surgery. Rua has the resume and skills to be a top this list, but his histroy makes me catious about moving him up too far, too fast. 

7. Jake Shields (25-4-1)

Shields' run through the Strikeforce Middleweight division was extremely impressive for a guy considered 'too small' to beat basiclly any of his opponents. Now he is headed for the UFC Welterweight shark tank.

8. Fedor Emelianenko (31-2, 1 NC)

Fedor has a recent run of upper level heavyweights and the result is he lost a shocker. While it has serious implacations, we still have to show some respect to his larger resume.

9. Gilbert Melendez (18-2) Strikeforce Lightweight Champion

A case can be made that Lightweight is the division that is the strongest division globally outside the UFC and it cannot be argued the Melendez is the best of the non-Zuffa Lightweights.

10. Dominick Cruz (16-1) WEC Bantamweight Champion

Cruz defended his title and beat a fighter who was hungry, improving and wanted Cruz's belt. Cruz handled the pressure well and became a true champion.

Honorable Mentions:

B.J. Penn, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Marlon Sandro, Josh Koscheck