JOE’s Pound for Pound Top Ten MMA Fighters – updated

JOE’s updated Pound for Pound Top 10 MMA fighters shows few changes from the last list in April, with Alistair “The Reem” Overeem the one to really lose ground.

By Fergus Ryan

1. Anderson “The Spider” Silva

Previous rank: 1

UFC Middleweight Champion

Record: 30-4

Silva will get the chance later this month at UFC 134 in Rio to avenge his last loss 5 years ago to Yushin Okami, albeit a DQ. After another safe performance from GSP in beating Shields, the need for a super-fight with Silva seems to have lost momentum. If successful in Rio, what about Silva versus ‘Bones’ Jones?

2. Georges “Rush” St. Pierre

Previous rank: 2

UFC Welterweight Champion

Record: 22-2

The Zuffa purchase of Strikeforce has meant the super-fight for GSP will be Nick Diaz, not Silva, in October. GSP’s recent manner of victories has left fans wanting more. Condit could be next in line for the welterweight title shot if he gets past Penn.

3. Jon “Bones” Jones

Previous rank: 3

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Record: 13-1

The reward for Bones not needing thumb surgery is Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at UFC 135. Rampage might just be the first fighter willing will take it to Jones.

4. Nick Diaz

Previous rank: 4

Strikeforce Welterweight Champion

Record 25-7

It took all Dana White’s powers of persuasion and some help from the Zuffa cheque book to ensure Diaz didn’t forsake MMA for boxing and sign to fight GSP. With both fighters having cleaned out their promotion’s welterweight divisions finding future fights for the winner could be a struggle.

5. Jose “Scarface” Aldo

Previous rank: 6

UFC Featherweight Champion

Record: 19-1

Though Hominick may have won the crowd after UFC 129 title fight, Aldo took home the belt. The power of his striking was evident from the massive haematoma left on Hominick’s cranium. Perennial nearly man Kenny Florian is up next for Aldo.

6. Cain Velasquez

Previous rank: 7

UFC Heavyweight Champion

Record: 9-0

A torn rotator cuff has side-lined Velasquez till the 2nd half of 2011. We now know he’ll face Junior Dos Santos after he manhandled Shane Carwin for 3 rounds. In keeping with the super-fight theme the winner could face the Strikeforce tournament winner in early 2012.

7. Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz

Previous rank: 10

UFC Bantamweight Champion

Record: 18-1

The last time Faber and Cruz fought in 2007, Faber would have featured in P4P top 10’s of the day. After UFC 132 Cruz justified his ranking in today’s lists. Despite being rocked a few times during the 5 rounder, Cruz out-worked, out-struck and out-grappled the poster boy of the lighter weight classes. At 25 Cruz should be a staple of top 10 for some time.

8. Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez

Previous rank: 9

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion

19-2

It is debateable whether Melendez would run through the UFC lightweight division en route to the title. However, he has definitely outgrown the Strikeforce lightweight ranks. His next opponent is rumoured to be Jorge Masvidal. With all due repsect to Masvidal surely Melendez would serve Zuffa better by tackling Cerrone, Guida, Miller or indeed the winner of Edgar-Maynard III?

9. Jake Shields

Previous rank: 8

Record: 26-5

A multi weight, multi promotional champion, Shields deserves to be ranked in a P4P top 10… but for how much longer? A solid performance, albeit, in losing to GSP helped shatter myth surrounding his lack of cardio and a glass chin. A victory in a tough test is required to convince he can cut it in the UFC.

10. Alastair “The Reem” Overeem

Previous rank: 5

DREAM and Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion

Record: 35-11

Overeem’s Strikeforce heavyweight tournament win over Werdum was screaming out for a finish. A combination of gassing out after the first round and giving Werdum’s ground game far too much respect prevented The Reem from cutting his night’s work short.

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