5 Things We Learned At UFC 130

1. MMA Fans Are Spoiled Brats – I have yet to hear a compelling argument as to why Rampage Jackson deserved to be booed during and/or after his fight. The way I saw it, Rampage was dominating every aspect of the fight, pressing forward and throwing punches in bunches. The lack of a finish did not warrant the ire of fans or pundits. Even Joe Rogan, who usually provides a level voice of reason, seemed to want Jackson to do more. At first I attributed this to Rogan wanting to stress how tight the competition for a title shot was, but his insistence seemed redundant and it isn’t like Jackson could hear him or would react if he could. Even Demetrious Johnson was the victim of a persnickety Vegas audience, getting booed despite putting forth 15 exciting minutes and earning a razor thin victory over Miguel Torres. Fights that close can’t really infuriate that many people. Both men deserved better from the live audience and this is just another instance in a growing trend of spoiled fight fans accepting nothing but reckless strikes and brutal KOs

2. The Big Belly Ride is Over for Nelson – It was fun while it lasted but Roy Nelson has to give up the big belly look – and more importantly, way of life – if he wants to truly compete as a professional athlete. I admit I was quite taken with the idea that he could buck the stereotypes of elite athletes and still be competitive, but being outworked and punished by Frank Mir for the better part of 15 minutes was simply embarrassing, highlighted by the fact that the fight was competitive in the minutes before Nelson gassed. Hecould cut 20 pounds of fat, drastically improve his conditioning and likely improve upon his speed and his agility as well but he must take certain lifestyle choices very seriously. Its decision time for Big Country and all the pressure is on to take the steps required to take this as seriously as he must if he wants to be a champion.

3. Stephan Struve is The Most Fun Guy To Watch Get KOed – I love watching Struve fight and would pull for him against three quarters of the division but he is the perfect guy to add to your highlight real if you are a heavy hitter. He is so tall that his body tumbles and crashes to the ground like a giant inflatable doll that just got popped. At UFC 130 he was flopping before he ever hit the ground. All the credit in the world to Browne who delivered one devastating Superman Punch. That is the kind of KO you tell your friends about, the kind that pleases even the fussiest of MMA crowds.

4. Rick Story is Real – I sort of downplayed Rick Story in my preview post but not anymore. Story scrapped his way to a convincing decision victory over Thiago Alvez and established himself as a series contender at 170 pounds. Story is a huge welterweight with a well-rounded skill set and the ability to keep the fight where he is most comfortable. It may be dangerous to put a rising contender against Jon Fitch as Fitch has a tendency to ruin a good run, but this is the fight that makes the most sense to me. Don’t sleep on Story like I did because he is here to stay.

5. Brian Stann is a Little Better Than I Thought – I have been hard on Brian Stann and I maintain for good reason. However for the first time in his UFC tenure I was impressed with the “All American Hero.” Stann looked crisp, patient, and smart in the cage no doubt benefiting greatly from his move to Greg Jackson’s camp. Stann’s next booking will be very telling. The UFC could choose to protect him and give him a solid stylistic match-up. Or they could choose to fast track him to a title shot by putting him in a number one contenders spot. Someone as popular as Stann will likely not get the quality slow build he really needs. Whereas before I was simply waiting for him to get exposed, I am now genuinely interested in seeing Stann’s progress in his next fight.

Why You Should (Still) Watch UFC 130

UFC 130 was primed to be the only show that could follow the virtual explosion that was UFC 129. While this may seem numerically obvious, I mean by this that UFC’s biggest show to date could not be followed by just any old thrown together card; it needed heat and UFC 130 was bringing plenty of it. Unfortunately, the two main torchbearers, Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, went down with injuries, announced on the same day. The two top lightweights in the world have quietly put together the hottest feud in the sport and it was meant to find resolution, or at least another step toward it this Saturday. Dana White and company found themselves in a bit of pickle. Now UFC 130 reads more like a Spike TV show but its much too late for that. The reality is that the card is still relatively strong and here are 8 reasons to watch UFC 130 in some capacity or another.

1. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson – You never know what you are going to get from Rampage but there is always a chance you get absolute fireworks. In the very least you get an intense build and a big fight atmosphere. While his opponent, Matt Hamill is significantly less marketable he is no less explosive. His strength is unbelievable and wrestling is world class. Both fighters are on their way up. The styles match up could make for lackluster action but night if Rampage has his way these two are going to exchange punches and I tend to think one of them will go down.

2. Roy Nelson vs Frank Mir – Frank Mir is a divisive character in MMA and both lovers and haters will want to tune into this one. One tough hombre, Roy Nelson has the skills in all areas to compete with Mir, one of the few men in the division who can make that claim not to be at a disadvantage on the ground. Nelson is also a pretty easy guy to get behind - predominately self trained, portly belly, and blue-collar fight style. This might be the most interesting fight on the card and has very little chance of being a snooze-fest.

3. Thiago Alvez’s KO Potential – This guy is one of the most dynamic strikers in the welterweight division and he is going to be out to prove it as a long road awaits before he reaches the top of the mountain again. That said, it might be just as interesting to see if he makes weight, a problem that has consistently plagued him during his time in the division. Story is no pushover but the focal point of the fight will be Alvez, even if he is upset.

4. Little Known Heavyweight Prospects – Stephan Struve and Travis Browne are two of the most keen fighters in the heavyweight division today despite their low key status. One of these two is going to get a much-needed win to push them up the ranks. Ohh and do not sleep on this one either, its not a snack break fight. If this goes the distance and its not a 15 minutes knockdown drag-out brawl I will eat my desk.

5. The (Re)Introduction of Jorge Santiago – Santiago has been a staple outside the UFC for some time now and as such might be a touch over-hyped by keyboard warriors like myself. But no one wins 23 fights by being a pushover. He will be looking to improve upon his last stint in the UFC and might be primed to make a good impression here. Brian Stann is an American hero interest story but I still have serious doubts about him as a professional fighter. I think this is Santiago’s chance to make a big impression and he needs to make the most of it.

6. Miguel Torres Upset? – I was on the Miguel Torres bandwagon for a while, I got talked off it and now I am really having trouble seeing this guy as a top contender again. He is fighting a very dangerous Demetrious Johnson and I for one smell an upset. Johnson has the tools to steal a lot of thunder from the former WEC champion and Torress might be a little deflated by missing the main card (this fight is on Spike TV). I was going to suggest Johnson as an underdog to bet on but it seems Vegas agrees with me.

7. Title Implications – At least three fights on this card have potential to wield immediate title implications while at least three others will reverberate through the title pictures in their respective divisions none-the-less. Don’t be surprised if you see at least one of the fighters on this card in a title fight or contenders fight within the year.

8. The Barbarian vs The Spider – Tim Boetsch is the closest thing to a real Viking I have seen in MMA (except for when Brock rocked his beard). He is silly strong and isn’t afraid to pick a guy up and throw him around. Boetsch was doing this at 205 pounds and is now cutting to 185 to fight the dangerous but inconsistent Kendall Grove. One day Grove wows you with a knockout of the night type performance and the next you wonder what you saw in him. Either way, I think this is a great fight and will be well worth the FREE you will pay for it if you have Spike TV.

Top 10 M.V.P.s of MMA

Upon watching The Ultimate Fighter last week and being more or less underwealmed by the entire production I started to think about Brock Lesnar and what I expected of him. Generally speaking he is one of the most unique and divisive figures in the sport but his role on the reality show has been lackluster, even if it should have been predictable. Away from the omnipresence of the reality show camera Brock is wildly entertaining and perhaps the biggest draw in all the sport. These thoughts where then put against the back drop of the always colorful, always visible Dana White – which then lead me to question who was the most important person in MMA today. By that I started to wonder who would leave in his or her wake the most profoundly negative impact if they wereto vanish from the sport all together. Immediately four or five names came to mind but after that the exercise got a lot harder. What serves the sport most profoundly, drawing power or combat skill? How about cultural appeal or global likeability? Below list of the top 10 most important figures in the sport today. Specifically this list pertains to Western/North American MMA as a growing global phenomenon.

1. Dana White – He is the only non-fighter to make my list but there is no doubt in my mind that Dana White is the most important man in MMA today. He is not only the face of the UFC machine but he is the face of a growing sport. Ohh yeah, and he is pretty good at his actual job, building his promotion and cultivating the sport’s culture in America. In fact, few people, if any, know more about mixed martial arts than Dana White. He knows the ins and outs, the business side and the fighting side. While he is good for his share of “are you kidding me” moments, none of this would be possible without the big bald man in the front row. Like it or not, MMA reflects Dana White and wouldn’t be the same without him.

2. Georges St-Pierre – As far as fighters go, there are those that are important because they dominate the sport and those who put butts in seats. GSP does both and that is why he finds himself at number two on this list. Anderson Silva may be, in my humble opinion, a better fighter and Brock Lesnar may be at least as big a draw but no one brings the entire package like the UFC Welterweight Champion. His lack of ability to finish his last few opponents and his lack of desire to take chances to do so have led some to jump off the GSP bandwagon and at least a few casual fans to second guess tuning into his next fight. As I have stated elsewhere, GSP has every right to fight however he wants to fight within the rules of the game but fans every right in the world to spend their money elsewhere. There is no fighter in MMA that is bigger than the sport and GSP could lose this spot quite easily. However, for now all eyes are on Canada’s greatest fighter.

3. Anderson Silva – Silva is likely the best fighter in the world but he barely made number three on this list. He rubs a lot of people the wrong way but fans know they have at least a 50% chance of seeing a finish in an Anderson Silva fight so they tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. He is also by far the best and most important Brazilian fighter and seeing that the UFC is eyeing expansion into that market, Silva’s stock is way up right now. If he puts on a good showfor the fans in Rio he might become a full-blown megastar for Brazilian sports fans and global MMA fans a like.

4. Brock Lesnar – If Lesnar had managed to beat Velasquez or had he been the wildly entertaining coach many, including myself, hoped for he would quite likely be in the number two spot. Alas, Lesnar has fallen from grace a bit and his recent injury only exacerbates the situation. Many suspect he may be done in the sport but this is likely just typical keyboard warrior overreaction. Brock will continue to bring in the fans and fans will continue bring the money as long as he is fighting. His position in the heavyweight division may be somewhat overblown but that is not to say that he is not a handful for anyone he might get matched up against.

5. Cain Velasquez – Velasquez was able to steal some of Lesnar’s star by beating him to a pulp but not enough to overshadow him. Much of the UFC Heavyweight Champion’s fame comes from his appeal to the Hispanic fan base. UFC has made no secret of its expansion goals and North American and MMA goes the way of the UFC now. Velasquez stands a top the always-important HW division with an unblemished record and Brown Pride literally painted across his chest. If he maintains momentum through the end of the year his star will only grow and he might even run out of UFC signed heavyweights to slay.

6. Jon Jones - Jones bum rushed the scene and has become one of the most popular fighters in the entire sport over the last year. Ask some fans and you might even think he is the messiah. What is hot today is not always hot tomorrow and Jones hasn’t put together quite the body of work that Velasquez has in my opinion nor does he appeal to an expansion fan base. However, he will have more opportunity to prove himself as the divisions stand today. The most appealing part about the Light-Heavyweight Champion is that is an “All American” champion in a sport that just lost its hero in Randy Couture and lacks a big name champion to associate with. American fight fans love big guys and Jones fits the bill infinitely better than his lighter weight champion counterparts in Cruz and Edger.

7. Christiane Santos – Here is where the biggest drop off occurs and the game changes a bit. Cyborg Santos doesn’t make a lot of pound for pound lists (although she probably should) and she likely isn’t getting the average fan excited to tune in when they otherwise wouldn’t, but she might be female MMA’s only real shot at making strides under the current conditions. She is scary, legitimately scary in the way that Wanderei Silva was once scary. While various dialogues could center on the politics of Santos – with her somewhat masculine qualities – being the face of female MMA, it seems doubtless that as far as building its legitimacy she is the right woman for the job. She is rarely hypersexualized by marketing ploys and she her English is not such that she can develop much of a personality for the American fan base. That leaves only one sticking point. If you are a fan of Santos you are a fan of her fights, the quality of her work - plain and simple.

8. Nick Diaz – There are two things you can do when it comes to Nick Diaz, love him or hate him. In the case of the later her has some choice words and a photogenic middle finger for you. Either way, most fans know him. Diaz has never been afraid to speak his mind, even if one were to expect that the is actually just a fairly brilliant marketer of his own brand – as I do. Between his winning streak, his antics after fights, his mouth before fights, and his insistence on boxing he may have forced Dana White’s hand in finally paying him the money he wants (or close to it) to fight GSP. Few will give Diaz a chance against the champion and a lose could spell a plummet for the brash welterweight but as far fighters outside the UFC, Diaz has established himself as the man and one of the last potential threats to the crown jewel of the 170 pound division.

9. Frankie Edgar – The perennial underdog, Frankie Edgar is rarely favored in the big fight but he keeps finding ways to win – or at least keep his belt. Fans are really warming up to Edgar though, particularly more casual fans of MMA who tuned in to watch him beat BJ Penn twice and may have tuned in to watch his gutty performance against Maynard. He is quietly charismatic, fairly exciting, and easy to get behind as a champion, much more so than his arch nemesis Gray Maynard. That is all not to even mention the fact that being involved in a great feud can do wonders for your career. Many thought the division would be in trouble as BJ Penn fell from grace but Edgar has a chance to hold the mantle well and continue to raise the stock of the 155 pound division.

10. Yushin Okami – Name one other Japanese fighter that has found significant success in the United States in the past, say, 5 years? Most Japanese fighters you may be contemplating have had their success in Japan but have done next to nothing stateside. Okami has not only found success, despite his speed bumps, but has earned himself a title shot against the best pound for pound fighter in the world on one of the grandest stages of the year as the UFC returns to Rio. As is the case with Brazil and Mexico, Dana White is looking to expand his product toJapan, a much tougher nut to crack. If he is going to do that he needs Japanese stars and one look around lets you know that Okami is the only one he has got. Many undersell Okami’s chances at shocking the world against SIlva but win, lose, or draw he is the most promising current link between a very important international fan base and American MMA.

GSP vs Shields: Ehhh.....

Those who tuned in to watch UFC 129 likely didn’t find themselves wanting. The card delivered devastating knockouts, highly competitive decision fights, flashy submissions, as well as feats of will and determination that one couldn’t help but admire, all this until the main event that is. The card was literally stacked with excitement but was punctuated with a lackluster and seemingly uninspired 25 minute performance from its two highest profile stars. I am not a fighter, and I will be the first one to admit that. I am not here to pass judgment on fighters per say but I know what I like in the sport and I know what I saw. What I like and what I saw are two totally different things and I am not alone. GSP may not have any problem doing what it takes to win and it is hard to blame him, but every decision has consequences.

It is ironic in a way that my least favorite fight of the night will be the fight I dedicate an entire post to. However such is life when it comes to GSP, one of the most popular stars in all of the sport. For many he is the face of MMA, the one guy that casual fans will go out of their way to see fight. As Randy Couture was once MMA’s proud ambassador, GSP has filled the role. Unfortunately, some fans that tune in occasionally even seem to be scratching their heads asking the same questions that many MMA enthusiasts have pondered in their entirely-too-much spare time: why doesn’t GSP finish more fights? Ok – we get that not all fights are going to be finishes. There are bound to be decisions but it sure looks like there is something different when it comes to GSP. He is clearly the superior fighter in the majority of his fights but takes the idea of “fighting safe” to a whole new level, content and perhaps even self-satisfied with the idea of demonstrating a new and/or superior skill set for 25 minutes.

This is an issue on two levels. First, most fans, even well educated fans want to see fighters push the pace and try to finish fights. Whether you just like knockouts, have methodological objections to judging, admire fighters that strive to entertain, or are a submission enthusiast, almost no one prefers when fights go to a decision. GSP has every right to fight whatever style he pleases but fans have every right to cheer, boo, or criticize that style. It is this completely legitimate desire to see fighters in the least attempt finishes that Greg Jackson misses when called fans that criticized GSP ignorant and he is 100% right but he is missing the point. He and his camp are notoriously defensive when it comes to criticism of their fighters but they miss the mark too often when it comes to why fans criticize. Granted, the reasons they criticize should not interest a coach in the least, at least not as far as preparation and execution of a game plan. Your job is to win the fight but realize that the fan paying their money (excessive amounts of money at that) to watch a fight doesn’t pay to watch people play it safe and that is not unreasonable. Sports fandom is one of the most arbitrary associations and identifications we make today and any sports fan can like or dislike a fighter for whatever reason they want. GSP need not worry about lose in revenue, fans aren’t ready to talk with their wallets just yet, but the criticism remains valid as it demonstrates the desire of MMA culture, a desire that GSP speaks to but doesn’t seem as interested in acting with as of late.

This brings us the second level of critique, that of GSP’s persona. MMA fans know the mediated version of GSP, however close to or far from the “real GSP” that may be is irrelevant. What is relevant is that it is growingly inconsistent. GSP is squeaky clean, the perfect representative of the sport. However, he plays a dangerous game with his brand. One of the most frustrating things for me, and is a sentiment I have heard echoed by others, is the consistency with which GSP drives home his desire to finish the fight before the fight only to carry out what appears to be a safe game plan during the fight. Of course every fighter is going to say that they want to finish their next fight when you stick a microphone in their face but not every fighter consistently finds themselves across from opponents who are visibly outmatched and can seemingly do little to stop him from imposing his will. Thus is the world of GSP. From my perspective, Jake Shields had no business getting to third round with GSP, let alone going the distance. Of course somewhere in the second or third round GSP’s vision became the scapegoat for his game plan but I failed to notice much difference between the action in the first round and the action in the fifth. We are getting to the point where people don’t believe “pre-fight” GSP or the reasons given post-fight. Just the other day a relatively casual fan asked me if GSP was going to actually fight in this fight. I assured him GSP would likely finish Jake Shields as I thought it was a good match-up for him and he should be able to tire Shields out once the fight goes to deep water. After the fire department came to remove my foot from my mouth I realized I bought into the same tired lines that GSP sells before every fight. GSP has chosen to be a safe fighter. And while I do not expect him to start proclaiming this on UFC Primetime episodes before his next fight, I do believe the dissonance between what he says and does rubs people the wrong way. We all think GSP is one of the greatest fighters ever to grace the cage; we just want to see him demonstrate just how good he is. He is taxiing his brand new jet around the runway giving hand signals out the window. Take off man! Show us what this thing can do.

I would be a bit remiss if I didn’t at least turn my attention somewhat to Jake Shields. After all, it takes two to tango, if by tango you mean be content with your fate that became clear in the first 5 minutes. Just when I hitch my wagon to the Jake Shields hype, begrudgingly though I have done it, he does the opposite of everything he said he would do. Jake Shields pushed the pace at times and worked to get the fight where he wanted it but there was no sense of urgency in him at any point in the fight. GSP had outclassed him on the feet and proved too difficult to take down. In that, I realize it is hard to even imagine what he might do differently, but this seems like too big an opportunity to not put it all the line – pull guard, rush forward, do something! Even Shields has conceded that he “hopes” to get one more shot at the title before he retires. That is not something you hear every day from fighters, a breed prone to hyperbole and unmitigated egotism. It seemed that Shields and the UFC were always trying to convince someone that Shields belonged in fight, which assumes that someone believed he didn’t. Then when fight time came around the only person who acted as if Shields didn’t belong was Shields, looking content to not get finished.

This all seems a bit unfair. GSP actually looked as if he had been in a fight, Shields’ striking looked better than it ever has. Shields actually won two rounds on two judges’ cards (for the life of me I can not figure out what two rounds he won) – so I have to give him some credit. It is just that viewed against the backdrop of what we were told to expect from this fight and what we had already seen on the card, this fight came up short and neither fighter smelled like roses when it was said and done. Fights like this bite the same criticisms that people wage against high profile boxing matches, a criticism ironically well waged against both sports this month.

GSP is still one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world and Jake Shields is still a solid welterweight fighter. These are things that did not change. However MMA doesn’t take too kindly to safe. If GSP wants to be remembered as the greatest of all time, as he says, then it is time for him to start proving it. He is a better fighter than almost anyone in the world but that is all for not if he isn’t willing to demonstrate how good he really is.

Official Arm Triangle Blog Rankings

Heavyweight

1. Cain Velasquez (UFC) – We await his return from injury eagerly while the number one contender and former champion coach TUF and fight for a title shot.

2. Junior Dos Santos (UFC) – Few have been more deserving of a title shot than JDS but he has one more big, BIG test in the way in the form of Brock Lesnar.

3. Fabricio Werdum (Strikeforce) Werdum dethroned Fedor and now meets Alistair Overeem in the first round of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament.

4. Brock Lesnar (UFC) – As a coach on TUF, he has been somewhat drab. That doesn’t mean he isn’t one of the best in the world though.

5. Antonio Silva (Strikeforce) – Calls out Brock as soon as Zuffa buys Strikeforce. Be careful what you wish for Bigfoot.

6. Shane Carwin (UFC) – It will be interesting to see how 2011 goes for Shane Carwin. How far can his power and wrestling really take him?

7. Alistair Overeem (Strikeforce/Dream) – The Strikeforce HW champion could make a case for himself to be the top HW in the world if he wins the heavyweight tournament.

8. Fedor Emelianenko – The fall of Fedor continues. As much as I thoroughly enjoy seeing Fedor fight, I thoroughly hate seeing him lose. Maybe it is time to hang it op

9. Frank Mir (UFC) – His win over Cro Cop was one of the great disappointing main events in recent memory. Now he has to fend of Roy Nelson to stay in the top 10.

10. Cole Konrad (Bellator) – He sneaks in with his 7-0 record but quality of competition is an issue for The Polar Bear.

Light- Heavyweight

1. Jon Jones (UFC) – There is no doubt that he is the number one LHW in the world but now the true test of a champion begins.

2. Rashad Evans (UFC) – Has KO power and knows the strengths and weaknesses of Jones, but everyone is counting him out.

3. Shogun Rua (UFC) – Not sure what all the hate is about. Shogun fought with a ton of heart but never quite recovered from getting rocked early.

4. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (UFC) – Needs to find consistency in the division again.

5. Lyoto Machida (UFC) – Great win for Machida but the guys in front of him are too secure. Another title may still be in his future.

6. Dan Henderson (Strikeforce) – Won the SF title and returns himself to the LHW ranks.

7. Ryan Bader (UFC) – Didn’t look good against Jones but still possesses tons of potential and recorded significant success for his age.

8. Forrest Griffen – Big win over Franklin propels him up the list. He is probably even a little better than a few guys above him, but needs wins in 2011.

9. Muhammed Lawal (Strikeforce) – Very good athlete but very green. King Mo should continue to improve.

10. Phil Davis (UFC) – Oportunity strikes again as Davis replaces yet another main event fighter and gets a shot at Rashad Evans. A win puts him really close to a title shot.

Middleweight

1. Anderson Silva (UFC) – Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the world and he will look to prove it at home when he meets Okami in Brazil.

2. Yushin Okami (UFC) – Okami has earned his shot but will likely again be passed over. He still gets the number two nod from me though.

3. Ronaldo Souza (Strikeforce) – One of the more impressive parts of Strikeforce’s recent card, his record speaks for itself.

4. Chael Sonnen (UFC) – Between the drug test fiasco and the money laundering, I can’t put him any higher than this.

5. Hector Lombard (Bellator) – One of Bellator’s greatest attractions, keep an eye on Lombard in 2011.

6. Vitor Belfort – Vitor came to fight and it’s a real shame there wasn’t more time to see what he had. Back to the drawing board.

7. Demian Maia (UFC) – Still amazing, still talented, Maia has to put it together and continue winning.

8. Jorge Santiago (UFC) – Just signed with the UFC and could meet Brian Stann at UFC 130, a great chance to move up.

9. Nate Marquardt (UFC) – His win over Miller does nothing to move him up or down my list.

10. Wanderlei Silva (UFC) – Silva’s inactivity is a problem but his win over Bisping has not been forgotten.

Welterweights

1. Georges St. Pierre (UFC) – Another fight and another win. Some still call for the Silva fight but that seems to be on hold for the moment.

2. Jon Fitch (UFC) – It appears that Fitch would be a dominant champion if it wasn’t for GSP. A win over Penn could put him in line for a title shot soon.

3. Thiago Alves (UFC) – Reworking his way up the 170 pound ladder, Alvez is still among the elite in the welterweight division

4. Carlos Condit (UFC) – Condit had to pull out of his next fight but barring an extended layoff he should maintain his spot until a result goes against him.

5. Nick Diaz (Strikeforce) – Diaz now seems to be the popular choice to fight GSP. This guy might just be one of the smartest fighters in the world. He is going to get his bigger pay days, just watch.

6. Jake Shields (UFC) – He fought hard but there was never a sense of urgency in this fight. He seemed content with not getting finished.

7. Josh Koscheck (UFC) – Few can match his athleticism. It may be back to the drawing board for Kos but it wont be long till he regains momentum.

8. Diego Sanchez (UFC) – Diego Sanchez creeps back into the ranks with his recent win but its hard for me to take him seriously till he picks a weight.

9. Martin Kampmann (UFC) – A tough let down against Sanchez in a fight that could have easily been decided the other way.

10. Jay Hieron (Strikeforce) – Seven fight win streak and so very little love for Hieron. Time to make a name for himself in 2011.

Lightweight

1. Gray Maynard (UFC) – The only non-UFC Champ at the top. Maynard has a win and a draw over the champ and is unbeaten as a pro.

2. Frankie Edgar (UFC) – Will get another shot to beat Maynard and silence the critics that are still not sold he is the best LW in the world.

3. Gilbert Melendez (Strikeforce) – Probably as good as anyone in the world at 155. We would all be better MMA fans if we got to see him fight the best.

4. Eddie Alvarez (Bellator) – Another reason big reason to keep an eye on MMA outside the UFC, Alvarez could meet Melendez this year… if we are lucky.

5. Jim Miller (UFC) – On talent I think he is four but achievement counts for something so his patience must hold for now.

6. Shinya Aoki (Dream) – I tend to think he is a bit overrated, especially after taking a beating from Melendez but his record speaks for itself.

7. Anthony Pettis (UFC) – The biggest loser in the Maynard/Edgar draw, Pettis now has to fight a very tough Clay Guida before he gets a crack at UFC gold.

8. Dennis Siver (UFC) – Takes George Sotiropoulos’s spot with a big win over the Aussi

9. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Dream) – Consistency issues keep him from gaining too much momentum.

10. Melvin Guillard (UFC) – His most recent win was the biggest of his career. If he is ready to fight smart the sky is the limit for Guillard.

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo (UFC) – He wasn't as impressive as he has been in the past but his win over Mark Hominick keeps him at the top of this division.

2. Mark Hominick – Hominick’s stock actually went up in his lose. This guy put on an epic demonstration of will and determination.

3. Hatsu Hioki (Sengoku) – Quite brilliant over the last few years with only one blemish on his record in that time. Hioki is dangerous almost everywhere.

4. Chad Mendes (UFC) – Unbeaten and rising quickly, Mendes will likely have to fend off a former UFC lightweight before he can get his crack at the belt.

5. Diego Nunes (UFC) – His win over Mike Brown (although narrow) is the biggest of his career and puts him right in the hunt for a title shot.

6. Joe Warren (Bellator) – Big questions about quality of competition loom but Warren has beaten his share of game opponents.

7. Manny Gamburyan (UFC) – Manny is though as nails but had nothing to offer Aldo in his last outing and has a long way to go back to the top.

8. Michihiro Omigawa (UFC) A solid record outside the UFC has led to no success inside at 0-3. This stacked division wont afford him many more chances.

9. Dustin Poirier (UFC) – Poirier surprised everyone with his last win over Josh Grispi. He is young and has a very bright future in MMA.

10. Marion Sandro (Sengoku) – His 17-2 record would warrant a much higher spot if his two loses hadn’t come in his last five fights.

Bantamweight

1. Dominick Cruz (UFC) – Simply put, he has been more impressive than anyone at this weight over the last year. He awaits his challengers for his new belt.

2. Joseph Benavidez (UFC) – Benavidez doesn’t lose to people not named Dominick Cruz. Unfortunately that is the one guy he needs to beat to move up.

3. Urijah Faber (UFC) – OK OK OK, I’ll make him number three after an impressive win. Looks like he is next for a title shot.

4. Brian Bowles (UFC) – If he can’t shake the injury bug he may move down further. Bowles has top tier skills at 135 pounds.

5. Scott Jorgensen (UFC) – Another great fighter that fell short of the champ, Jorgensen will now be tested in terms of his response to his big lose.

6. Masakatso Ueda (Shooto) – He may only be on a two fight win streak but he is 12-1-2. Ueda seems to be improving with each fight.

7. Miguel Torres (UFC) – It was dreadful to watch but Torres gets a win on his first “big stage” show. Lets see if he brings the excitement we are use to next time.

8. Eddie Wineland (UFC) – As impressive as you can be in defeat against a top notch guy. Wineland made his mark at UFC 128.

9. Demetrious Johnson (UFC) – When the pressure was on Johnson stepped up and put Kid Yamamoto and all his hype away.

10. Brad Pickett (UFC) – Just one lose in his last 11 fights, Pickett will need to continue his exciting ways if he wants to move up from here.