A Breakdown of the Top UFC Heavyweights
Who are the top Heavyweights in the UFC? After UFC 111 and Shane Carwins performance, This is who I see as the top 10 contenders at Heavyweight!
By: gunnd86,
3/31/2010
1. Brock Lesnar
Despite not fighting since July of 2009 at UFC 100 due to illness, Brock Lesnar is still the heavyweight belt holder of the UFC and therefore No.1 on my list. Finally given the all clear a month or so ago, it appears the champ and the UFC are targeting a summer return, likely at the UFC 116 in Las Vegas. There he will meet the newly crowned interim heavyweight champion, Shane Carwin. That will be the battle of giants!
2. Shane Carwin
The newly crowned UFC interim heavyweight champion made a huge statement this weekend at UFC 111 by destroying Frank Mir. He is now 12-0 in his MMA career, still undefeated, and he has never seen the second round of a fight. With size, strength, and KO power he might be the only person who can physically match up with Lesnar. We will eventually find out how evenly matched they are when they face off in what could be the main event at UFC 116.
3. Cain Valasquez
This guy has been on a tear since his UFC debut at UFC 83. Undefeated and sitting on an eight-fight win streak. At UFC 110, Valasquez won the defining fight of his career, as he destroyed Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. That win placed the young fighter at the top of the contender list in the heavyweight division. He will have the next title shot after Shane Carwin.
4. Junior Dos Santos
Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos has also been on a tear since entering the UFC. He has beat Werdum, Struve, Yvel, Cro Cop and, most recently, Gonzaga since debuting. He will fight again in 2010.
5. Frank Mir
Despite recent losses to Brock Lesnar and current interim champion Shane Carwin, Frank Mir claims the No. 5 spot. Wins over Cheick Kongo and Antonio Nogueira, he does just enough to keep him in the top half of the division. The winner of Wednesday's clash between Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson could provide a good opponent for Mir.
6. Anotonio Rodrigo Nogueira
The Pride legend, and former heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has not fought like himself lately. HIs last 2 fights were losses to Frank Mir, and he was finished in the 1st round by the hands of Valasquez. A rematch with Frank Mir could be on the horizon.
7. Cheick Kongo
You may be surprised to see Cheick Kongo this high on my list. Kongo is 4-2 in his last six fights, including a recent win over Paul Buentello. When you consider that he took Cain Valasquez the distance on short notice, it makes his only other loss to Frank Mir, not seem too bad. His striking is solid and he would give most guys a good match. Who knows we may see him and Junior Dos Santos in 2010!
8. Stefan Struve
The young, lanky Dutchman has impressed since being blown away by Junior Dos Santos in his debut. Three straight victories since, Struve is on the verge of joining the contender list. His upcoming fight with Roy Nelson. A win would definitely push him to the next level in the division. At 6"11, his size causes problems. He has strong kickboxing, and he trains at the famous Vos gym in Holland.
9. Gabriel Gonzaga
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga is an interesting fighter. Gifted with all the tools to succeed, the one-time No. 1 contender has allowed the division to pass him by. He is a top level BJJ artist and capable of devastating KO finishes, but Gonzaga doesn't look like he's getting another title shot since losing to Randy Couture, Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos. His recent KO loss to Junior Dos Santos means his only win in the last few years has been over Mirko Cro Cop.
10. Todd Duffee
With an MMA record of 6-0 and standing 6"3 and 260 I had to have Todd in our top 10 UFC fighters. His only fight in the UFC was against Tim Hague where he scored a 7 second knockout. Hopefully we will see more of him in the future.
Here is the UFC Heavyweight roster (in alphabetical order)
Al Turk Mostapha 6-5-0 6' 2" 242lbs
Barry Pat 5-1-0 5' 11" 235lbs
Buentello Paul 25-12-0 6' 2" 235lbs
Carwin Shane 12-0-0 6' 5" 265lbs
Ciesnolevicz Mike 18-4-1 6' 1" 230lbs
Cro Cop Mirko 26-7-2-1 NC 6' 2" 220lbs
Dos Santos Junior 11-1-0 6' 4" 238lbs
Duffee Todd 6-0-0 6' 3" 260lbs
Frazier Zane 0-2-0 6' 6" 230lbs
Gonzaga Gabriel 11-5-0 6' 1" 242lbs
Gordeau Gerard 2-1-0 6' 5" 215lbs
Gormley Chase 6-2-0 6' 3" 265lbs
Hardonk Antoni 8-6-0 6' 4" 245lbs
Herring Heath 28-14-0 6' 4" 250lbs
Kongo Cheick 25-6-1 6' 4" 240lbs
Lesnar Brock 4-1-0 6' 3" 265lbs
Mir Frank 13-5-0 6' 3" 240lbs
Nelson Roy 15-4-0 6' 0" 263lbs
Nogueira Minotauro 32-6-1-1 NC 6' 3" 240lbs
Perosh Anthony 10-6-0 6' 3" 225lbs
Rothwell Ben 30-7-0 6' 4" 265lbs
Russow Mike 12-1-0-1 NC 6' 1" 255lbs
Smith Patrick 4-2-0 6' 2" 225lbs
Struve Stefan 23-3-0 6' 11" 238lbs
Tuchscherer Chris 18-2-0-1 NC 6' 1" 260lbs
Velasquez Cain 8-0-0 6' 1" 240lbs
Yvel Gilbert 36-14-1-1 NC 6' 2" 225lbs
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