A new feature here on GuysNation, the MMA-interested staff are going to periodically be publishing rankings by division across the world of MMA, and today we’re starting with the biggest of the bad asses. Here are the Heavyweight Rankings for June 2011
Just Outside: Cole Konrad, Travis Browne, Daniel Cormier, Sergei Kharitonov, and Ben Rothwell.
10. Fedor Emelianenko – Once considered the best Heavyweight to ever fight in MMA, Fedor has fallen hard in his last two fights. They were his toughest competition since he beat Cro Cop back in 2005. Fedor is coming towards the end of his career in my opinion and he has another tough challenge in Dan Henderson this summer.
Next Fight: July 30th vs. Dan Henderson (Strikeforce)
9. Josh Barnett – While I hate to put any cheaters on this list it is hard to look past Barnett’s impressive resume. Recently his competition has not been the best but the Babyface Assassin has not lost since 2006. Who knows how many of those fights were due to his steroid use. One thing is certain; every commission in the country will be watching him closely throughout the Strikeforce GP.
Next Fight: June 18th vs. Brett Rogers (Strikeforce)
8. Frank Mir – Mir looked decent in his recent fight with Roy Nelson, but he did not look great. He dominated Nelson in the win but was becoming tired very fast. His recent bulking up could be to blame. Mir’s next fight is still up in the air but we expect to see him against a top ten guy in preparation for a potential title shot.
Next Fight: Unknown
7. Shane Carwin – Shane has been battling injuries over the last year but is finally ready to make a comeback. This time he steps in for Brock Lesnar in a title eliminator match against JDS. If he is able to shake the ring rust very fast he could quickly climb back up the ladder.
Next Fight: June 11th vs. #3 JDS (UFC)
6. Brock Lesnar – Brock was finally exposed in his last fight against Cain Velazquez. He has huge upside but really needs to work on his striking and ability to take a punch. Unfortunately his constant battle with diverticulitis will put him back on the shelf until the beginning of next year. We wish the big man the best of luck with this fight.
Next Fight: Unknown
5. Antonio Silva – Bigfoot has the potential to be a future champion based on his size alone. He is coming off a victory over Fedor in a fight where he crushed the former Pride champion. Antonio is on the toughest side of the tournament bracket and he currently awaits the winner of Werdum/Overeem.
Next fight: vs. winner of Werdum/Overeem (Strikeforce)
4. Alistair Overeem – The Strikeforce Heavyweight champ has not lost a MMA fight since 2007. On top of that, he is the recent winner of the K1 World GP. Overeem has decided to focus on MMA for 2011 and will be facing his toughest opponent since his last lost in MMA. We would rank him hire but his wins have not been against the best competition available in the HW division.
Next Fight: June 18th vs. #2 Fabricio Werdum (Strikeforce)
3. Junior dos Santos – JDS has coming off a win from one of his toughest opponents yet in Roy Nelson. His next opponent will surpass that. JDS takes on Shane Carwin in an eliminator match to see who will face HW Champion Cain Velazquez in the fall of 2011. It was supposed to be Brock Lesner but with his current hiatus due to injury we will have to wait to see that.
Next Fight: June 11th vs. #7 Shane Carwin (UFC)
2. Fabricio Werdum – I was tempted to but JDS here but Werdum has faced a little tougher competition than him since they fought each other. He has been on the shelf for almost a year now but is ready to step in the Strikeforce cage again to take on champion Alistair Overeem in the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP.
Next Fight: June 18th vs. #4 Alistair Overeem (Strikeforce)
1. Cain Velazquez – Still coming off shoulder surgery, the UFC Heavyweight Champ will face the winner of JDS/Carwin in the fall of 2011. Both men are heavy handed and should make for an exciting fight with the champ. His last three wins have been against solid competition but his next fight, no matter who wins, will be his toughest yet.
Next Fight: Fall of 2011
