Alistair Overeem and the 10 Best Heavyweights in the UFC

It seems like MMA fans have been begging Dana White and Zuffa to get a deal done forever, and he finally came through, as Alistair Overeem signed a contract with the UFC today.

This adds yet another high quality heavyweight to the UFC’s roster, which has been slowly getting better over the last few years.

Overeem is one of the most talked about fighters in the sport and was easily the biggest name the UFC could have signed, but where does he fall amongst the current top 10 UFC heavyweights?

10. Brendan Schaub

Even though he’s coming off of a loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 134, Brendan Schaub has done enough to earn a spot in the top 10.

Prior to the Nogueira fight, Schaub was rolling through the division on a four-fight win streak, with big wins over Gabriel Gonzaga and Mirko Cro Cop, and he’s only another couple wins from creeping back into contention.

9. Matt Mitrione

Matt Mitrione wasn’t exactly the most likable guy during his stint on The Ultimate Fighter, but since leaving the house he’s gained a pretty decent following due to his attitude and his stand and bang style.

But his marketability isn’t what got him in the top 10, his five-fight win streak is, and if he is able to take out Cheick Kongo at UFC 137 he’ll inch closer to a title shot.

8. Cheick Kongo

The last time any of us saw Cheick Kongo he was pulling off one of the most unbelievable knockouts in UFC history, taking out Pat Barry after being rocked at least three times.

The win has Kongo at 2-0-1 in his last three fights and his status as the premier heavyweight gatekeeper could be removed if he can gain a win or two over other guys on this list.

7. Shane Carwin

A two-fight losing streak has caused Shane Carwin to plummet down the heavyweight rankings, but losses to Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos won’t get you kicked out of the top 10.

Carwin didn’t look like the wrecking machine he once was during his last fight with Dos Santos, but maybe a little time off and a tune up fight will let him get his groove back.

6. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira hadn’t fought in almost a year-and-a-half before UFC Rio, and his last fight was an abysmal performance against Cain Velasquez where he was finished in the first round.

But Pride fans everywhere were overjoyed when Nogueira pulled off a bit of an upset and knocked out Brendan Schaub at UFC 134, officially becoming a contender in the heavyweight division again.

5. Frank Mir

With wins over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Cheick Kongo and Mirko Cro Cop coming in his last half dozen fights, one would think that Mir would be in a title eliminator bout sometime soon.

Unfortunately for the former champion, everyone ahead of him on the list has an opponent lined up, and Nogueria is unlikely to fight before 2012, leaving Mir without a credible opponent.

4. Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar has had a roller coaster ride of a career since entering MMA back in 2007; losing his UFC debut, winning the title less than a year later, being sidelined with diverticulitis, defending his title, losing his title, coaching on The Ultimate Fighter 13, and once again pulling out of a fight due to diverticulitis.

Got all that?

Through it all, he’s remained a must see fighter and his upcoming fight with Overeem is destined to be one of the most watched of the year.

3. Alistair Overeem

Despite not fighting UFC caliber competition over the last few years, Alistair Overeem has earned himself top three status by destroying everyone he’s fought since September of 2007.

The former Strikeforce heavyweight champion has a chance to immediately earn himself a shot at UFC gold if he can stop that charging bull that Brock Lesnar calls a takedown, and a fight with either Cain Velasquez or Junior dos Santos would be an awesome fight for MMA fans.

2. Junior Dos Santos

Seven straight wins, five knockouts and a season coaching on The Ultimate Fighter was all it took for Junior dos Santos to earn his shot at the heavyweight title.

Dos Santos has some of the best hands in the business and can knockout anyone with just one punch, which makes him a scary opponent for anyone in the division, and if he can catch Cain Velasquez with a shot in their fight on Fox in November, he’ll walk out of Anaheim with the title around his waist.

1. Cain Velasquez

It wasn’t really much of a question as to whom would be number one on this list, but there’s also no question that Cain Velasquez has earned his spot at the top of the division.

With huge wins over Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cheick Kongo on his resume, Velasquez is slowly becoming one of the best heavyweights of all time and if he gets past Junior dos Santos in November, he’ll have a strong case as the best heavyweight in UFC history.