It is probably the most electrifying and stacked division in the world today. Recent fighter movement and activity has actually made the division outside of the UFC pick up a little ground against the sports powerhouse organization. There are enough great fighters that the retirement of Quinton Jackson actually leaves only a minor dent in the talent pool represented here by my top 10.
- Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida – Many people think Shogun Rua is the uncrowned king of this division but the only people who really matter saw Machida as the winner. Until they have their rematch, The Dragon is still the unbeaten champion of the most stacked division in all of MMA.
- Maricio “Shogun” Rua – I actually moved Shogun up 2 spots after his loss to Machida. I honestly think it was his best fight to date, demonstrating a skill set similar to the one we had all grown to know and love and coupling that with a patience I am not sure we have ever seen from Shogun. Rua certainly deserves another crack at the champion and he will no doubt get just that before its all said and done.
- Rashad Evans – With Rampage retiring I have to give the nod to Sugar Rashad who looked somewhat unbeatable before he met Machida. Rashad is well rounded enough to give almost anyone fits. Unfortunately for him the only step up on my list represents his only, yet crushing, defeat.
- Gegard Mousasi – Mousasi claims this spot by process of elimination. He may only have one quality win at 205 but he was lighting up the competition at MW and Superhulk before that. Everyone else near the top of this list has suffered from either really poor performances or devastating loses as of late. Mousasi is the real deal.
- Thiago Silva – Silva roared back with a vengence against Keith Jardine and looked to get right back on track for a title shot. He gets to be involved in one of the most interesting style match-ups I have seen in a long time with Rashad Evans, a fight that was suppose to happen over a year ago I believe. Silva could find himself right back in the mix at 205.
- Forrest Griffin – He may be down two loses right now but this guy has proven his worth as a top MMA fighter. He will take any fight and he will give it everything he has. Unfortunately, he took fights against superior strikers and paid the price. I think Griffin will get back on track against Tito Ortiz come November.
- Luis Arthur Cane – Talk about a guy who flies under the radar. Cain’s striking has been lethal and the precision scary. He is not a guy to be taken lightly in this division. His next fight is going to be his toughest challenge by far and I expect Little Nog to give him just a little more than he can handle.
- Little Nog – Here is a guy that should have been in the UFC 2 years ago. He has the potential to make some huge waves in both Zuffa’s 205 pound division and any and all top 10 ranking lists. I just wonder if he would reject a fight with his friend Machida if their paths were to cross.
- Renato “Babalu” Sobral – Since leaving the UFC he is 5-1, his only loss coming to the number three ranked fighter on this list. I expect Babalu to get back to his winning ways sooner rather than later. Consistency has always been the big issue but few can doubt the skill level of Sobral, skill enough to keep him in my top 10.
- Rich Franklin – This is another process of elimination pick. I honestly think Franklin is looking at three losses in a row but the judges of the Franklin/Silva fight didn’t see it my way. No matter how you cut it, Franklin is a contender. He really needs to get himself some strait up LHW fights so that he can start establishing himself in this division as apposed to the 205 lbs. gatekeeper for Anderson Silva.
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