Best of the Rest: Top Light Heavyweights outside of UFC

Last week, we examined the top light heavyweight fighters who are currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  As mentioned, the UFC has the 205 lbs division in a tight chokehold; according to our ranking, sixteen of  the Top 20 active light heavyweights call the Octagon their home.

With the UFC so heavily invested in the division, no other MMA promotion has been able to put together a competitive stable of light heavyweights.  Still, there are a few fighters not locked into Zuffa contracts who have the skills and talent to give the UFC’s best a run for their money, and the name recognition to pique the interest of MMA fans.  With Tito Ortiz claiming he is on the way out of the UFC as well, there may be an opportunity here for another promotion – if they are able to sign most of these fighters.

Here is a look at the six of the Top 20 light heavyweights outside of the UFC:

[#8] Ricardo Arona

MMA Record: 13-5 (8-4 Pride)

Last bout: Lost to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou by knockout at Pride 34 (4/8/2007)

Current affiliation: Free agent

Though Arona’s formidable mix of wrestling and jiu-jitsu always kept him near the top of Pride FC’s Middleweight (205 lbs) division, he has never won the title or a Gran Prix tournament – despite earning a decision victory over then-champion Wanderlei Silva in a non-title tournament bout (Arona lost the rematch with the title on the line).  Arona’s grinding style and a high ratio of decision wins did not gain him many fans, and may very well be the reason UFC has not expressed any interest of signing Ricardo; a knockout loss to Sokoudjou at the last Pride event certainly did not help. Arona has not fought in over a year, and will need to compete very soon to remain relevant.

[#11] Antonio Rogerio Nogueira 

MMA Record: 13-3 (8-2 Pride)

Last bout: Defeated Todd Gouvenberg by TKO at HCF-Destiny (2/1/2008)

Current affiliation: Unknown

The brother of the current UFC Heavyweight champion, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira shares the impeccable jiu-jitsu and crisp striking of his heavier twin, but does not have the cast-iron chin that helped ‘Big Nog’ Antonio Rodrigo win multiple title belts. In his last Pride bout, Nogueira fell victim to a huge upset, getting knocked out by the virtually unknown (at the time) Sokoudjou. Since then he’s gotten back on the winning track, stopping Todd Gouvenberg in Canada’s Hardcore Championship Fighting league.  As HCF is currently going through an ownership change and has postponed any future shows, it is not clear what will be the next step for ‘Little Nog’. Perhaps his family relations will be able to help him along to a UFC bout?

[#14] Vitor Belfort (Cage Rage Light Heavyweight Champion)

MMA Record: 14-8 (7-4 UFC, 5-3 Pride)

Last bout: Defeated James Zikic by decision at Cage Rage 23 (9/22/2007)

Current affiliation: Cage Rage

Vitor Belfort was only 19 years old when he made his UFC debut, earning himself the nickname ‘Phenom’ by knocking out bigger and more experienced opponents with his patented flurries of punches.  As time went on, Belfort did not live up to the lofty expectations, often coming into his fights with questionable cardio and a seeming lack of motivation or game plan.  His inconsistent performances have left fans wondering ‘which Vitor will show up’ every time he fights.  Belfort lost a decision to Tito Ortiz in his most recent UFC appearance, and another decision loss to Dan Henderson in his last Pride outing.  He’s racked up two victories since then in England’s Cage Rage, winning the 205 title in his most recent bout, and expressed interest in returning to the UFC.  While there are many interesting matchups for Belfort in the UFC’s stacked light heavyweight division, he will likely need to string together a couple more wins before we see him back in the Octagon.

[#15] Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral

MMA Record: 29-7 (5-5 UFC)

Last bout: Defeated Rodney Faverus by submission (choke) at PFP-Ring of Fire (12/9/2007)

Current affiliation: Unknown

After two consecutive knockout losses in the UFC (first to Chuck Liddell, then to Jason Lambert in what was supposed to be a rebound match for Sobral), ‘Babalu’ really needed to make a statement in his next bout.  He made the wrong one by holding on to a choke for several seconds longer after his opponent David Heath tapped out and the referee attempted to pull Sobral off Heath.  Sobral admitted that his actions were intentional after the fight, and was subsequently released from his UFC contract. He’s returned to action by defeating the famed Dutch kickboxer Rodney Faverus, and was scheduled to headline a Hardcore Fighting Championship card in May, but the event had been put on hold.  A return to the UFC may be possible for Sobral, and if Tito Ortiz follows up on his threats to leave the UFC, he would make for an interesting opponent for Babalu in any promotion.

[#17] Vladimir Matyushenko (IFL Light Heavyweight Champion)

MMA Record: 21-3 (3-2 UFC)

Last bout:  Defeated Jamal Patterson by TKO at IFL-New Jersey (4/4/2008)

Current affiliation: IFL

Matyushenko is one of the most accomplished freestyle wrestlers to ever compete in MMA.  He fought in the UFC at both 205 and heavyweight, most notably a decision loss in a title bout with Tito Ortiz, a victory over Pedro Rizzo and a brutal KO at the hands of Andrei Arlovski.  After taking some time off from MMA, Matyushenko came back at 205 and has found a new home in the IFL, where he currenly reigns as a champion and is on a six fight winning streak over steady though not stellar competition. 

[#19] Mike Whitehead

MMA Record: 20-6 (0-1 UFC)

Last bout:  Defeated Daniel Serafin by unanimous decision at PFP-Ring of Fire (12/9/2007)

Current affiliation: Unknown

Whitehead once appeared as a contestant on the second season of the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter reality show.  He was favored by many fans to win the heavyweight division, but things did not go his way in a lackluster bout with Rashad Evans, who went on to win the show.  After losing to Keith Jardine in the finale, Whitehead was not invited back to the UFC.  He since joined Evans and Jardine in dropping down to 205, and went on a tear, winning eleven consecutive fights.  Whitehead recently left the IFL over a contract dispute.

Honorable Mention: [#35] Brian Stann (WEC Light Heavyweight Champion)

MMA Record: 6-0

Last bout:  Defeated Doug Marshall by knockout at WEC 33 (3/26/2008)

Current affiliation: WEC

While Brian Stann is not yet in our Top-20, I have no doubt he will reach it soon.  An active duty US Marine Corp officer, Stann is 6-0 in MMA, all first round knockouts.  Most recently he showed a great chin and composure in addition to heavy hands when he remained calm through a big flurry from then-WEC champion Doug Marshall, and responded with a combination of his own that put Marshall down and gave Stann the title.  WEC is a good place for Stann to gain a bit of experience and work on his ground game, but if he keeps winning he will undoubtedly move on to bigger and better things than WEC’s anemic 205 division.