World MMA Rankings: December 31, 2011
After his battles with diverticulitis, Brock Lesnar was set to return to the UFC. His opponent was a man some believed was a paper tiger in Alistair Overeem. Overeem had won many fights in impressive fashion, but had never fought in the UFC. Overeem proved he was the real deal last night, beating Lesnar with brutal body shots. Lesnar then announced his retirement from fighting. Here's how the top 10 in each weight class breaks down after recent events:
Heavyweight (265 pound limit) 1) Junior dos Santos (“Cigano”)
JDS will face Alistair Overeem for the UFC heavyweight championship at a date to be determined.
2) Cain Velasquez
In the eyes of many, Velasquez is still the most complete heavyweight fighter. He remains on the bench after losing to belt to Junior dos Santos
3) Alistair Overeem (“Demolition Man”)
Overeem made a spectacular debut at UFC 141, beating Brock Lesnar into retirement.
4) Daniel Cormier
Cormier continues to recover from a broken hand, and will face Josh Barnett in Strikeforce’s heavyweight swan song.
5) Antonio Silva (“Bigfoot”)
Silva’s future continues to be uncertain after a big upset loss to Daniel Cormier.
6) Brock Lesnar
Lesnar announced his retirement after losing to Alistair Overeem.
7) Shane Carwin
Carwin now needs back surgery and will be out until mid-2012. At 36, he may be at the end of his MMA career even though he’s a relative newbie mileage wise.
8) Fabricio Werdum (“Vai Cavalo”)
Werdum will return to the UFC in February to take on Roy Nelson.
9) Frank Mir
Mir proved his 1st win over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was not a fluke, as he submitted the legend in their UFC 140 rematch.
10) Roy Nelson (“Big Country”)
After getting back on to the winning track, Nelson will face Fabricio Werdum.
Light heavyweight (205 pound limit)
1) Jon Jones (“Bones”)
The sky is the limit for Jones, who went 4-0 in 2011 against an extremely high level of competition.
2) Dan Henderson
In an epic fight at UFC 139, Hendo walked away with a 48-47 win over Mauricio Rua.
3) Mauricio Rua (“Shogun”)
Shogun put in a ‘best fight ever’ candidate against Dan Henderson, making fans out of those who were unfamiliar with his body of work
4) Rashad Evans
The UFC has finally put Jones-Evans on hold after multiple injuries to both men. Evans will now have to beat Phil Davis to get his title shot back.
5) Quinton Jackson (“Rampage”)
Rampage will look to get back on the winning track against Ryan Bader in Japan.
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