The Argument for or against Cruiserweight: Revisited (Again)
About a year ago, I posted the first update to my original post.
I feel the need to keep revisiting this as we get more data, because every few months I see this topic bubble up to the top of various sites and forums.
In summary, we started tracking weigh-in weights, and I wanted to see if the heavier fighters won more often than lighter fighters. Using the same ideals as before, with an even larger data set:
- In 778 non-draw official fights where both fighters weighed in at different weights, but above 210 (our Light Heavyweight limit), 390 were won by the lighter fighter, and 388 won by the heavier fighter (49.9%).
- When you allow for mismatches and include matches in which only one fighter had to weigh above 210, the total tally increases to 946 and the gap widens, with the heavier fighter only winning 455 (48.1%).
- For the record, across the board, the heavier fighter has won 52.5% of the time.
The results are nearly identical as before, though the heavier fighter (again) gained ground in all three statistics. There are a few possibilities to explain this and it could be a combination of:
Featured Upcoming Bouts (Outside of UFC)
| Friday, October 3rd 2025: PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 | |||
 [#4 LHW] Corey Anderson |  [#10 LHW] Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 7/19/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#13 HW] Denis Goltsov Last 5: NC L W W W | Last Fight Date: 11/29/2024 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#21 MW] Impa Kasanganay Last 5: W W W W W | ||
| Friday, October 3rd 2025: PFL Champions Series 2: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes 2 | |||
 [#9 LW] Usman Nurmagomedov (-164) |  [#14 LW] Paul Hughes (+128) | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 1/25/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#14 LW] Paul Hughes Last 5: W W NC W W | Last Fight Date: 5/10/2025 [PFL] Last Opponent: [#51 LW] Bruno Miranda Last 5: W W W L W | ||
| Saturday, November 8th 2025: Dynamite MMA 4 - Nov. 8 | |||
 [#4 W105] Andressa Romero |  [#20 W105] Claire Lopez | ||
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| Last Fight Date: 9/20/2024 [Invicta FC] Last Opponent: [#2 W105] Elisandra Ferreira de Oliveira Last 5: W L L W L | Last Fight Date: 4/04/2025 [Invicta FC] Last Opponent: [#12 W105] Taynara Silva Last 5: W W L L L | ||
Featured Fighters
| [#3 FW] | Diego Lopes | [#19 FW] | Jean Silva | |
| [#2 LW] |  Ilia Topuria | [#1 LW] | Islam Makhachev | |
| [NR] | Matt Brown | [NR] |  Conor McGregor | |
| [#4 LW] | Charles Oliveira | [#90 WW] |  Daniil Donchenko | |
| [#1 MW] |  Khamzat Chimaev | [NR] | Chris Lytle |
FightMatrix Program: Strikeforce (08-18-2012)
Women Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#1/#5DD] Ronda Rousey (5-0-0, 135.0lb) vs. [#2/#7DD] Sarah Kaufman (15-1-0, 134.0lb)
Sarah Kaufman is the All-Time #6 ranked Women’s fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ronda Rousey (3-0-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#4BW] Miesha Tate (12-3-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 4:27 of round 1
2011-11-18: W vs. [#9FW] Julia Budd (3-2-0) via Submission (Armbar) in 0:39 of round 1
2011-08-12: W vs. [#9BW] Sarah DAlelio (6-2-0) via Technical Submission (Armbar) in 0:25 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Sarah Kaufman (3-0-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#3BW] Alexis Davis (12-5-0) via MD (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-07-22: W vs. [#7BW] Liz Carmouche (7-2-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-04-02: W vs. [#45BW] Megumi Yabushita (19-20-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:34 of round 3
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronda Rousey 168, Sarah Kaufman 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#15] Ronaldo Souza (15-3-0, 186.0lb) vs. [#41] Derek Brunson (9-1-0, 186.0lb)
Ronaldo Souza is the All-Time #17 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ronaldo Souza (2-1-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#70MW] Bristol Marunde (12-7-0) via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) in 2:43 of round 3
2011-09-10: L vs. [#4MW] Luke Rockhold (10-1-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
2011-01-29: W vs. [#25MW] Robbie Lawler (19-9-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:00 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Derek Brunson (2-1-0)
2012-06-16: L vs. [#35MW] Kendall Grove (15-10-0) via SD (30-27, 30-27, 28-29)
2011-11-18: W vs. [#45MW] Nate James (13-8-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-07-30: W vs. [#85MW] Lumumba Sayers (6-2-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:33 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ronaldo Souza 168, Derek Brunson 63
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Welterweight (170)
[#35] Tarec Saffiedine (12-3-0, 169.5lb) vs. [#111] Roger Bowling (11-2-0, 170.0lb)
Last 3 Fights: Tarec Saffiedine (2-1-0)
2012-01-07: W vs. [#54WW] Tyler Stinson (24-9-0) via SD (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
2011-07-30: W vs. [#168MW] Scott Smith (17-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
2011-01-07: L vs. [#19WW] Tyron Woodley (10-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Roger Bowling (2-1-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#358WW] Brandon Saling (8-6-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:15 of round 2
2011-12-17: W vs. [#617MW] Jerron Peoples (4-2-0) via KO (Punches) in 0:42 of round 1
2011-07-22: L vs. [#67WW] Bobby Voelker (24-8-0) via TKO (Knee and Punches) in 2:16 of round 2
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Tarec Saffiedine 224, Roger Bowling 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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FightMatrix Program: UFC 150 (08-11-2012)
Lightweight Championship (155)
[#1/#5DD] Ben Henderson (16-2-0) vs. [#2/#6DD] Frankie Edgar (14-2-1)
Ben Henderson is the All-Time #14 ranked Lightweight fighter.
Frankie Edgar is the All-Time #3 ranked Lightweight and #21 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Ben Henderson (3-0-0)
2012-02-26: W vs. [#2LW/#6DD] Frankie Edgar (14-2-1) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
2011-11-12: W vs. [#11LW] Clay Guida (29-13-0) via UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-08-14: W vs. [#16LW] Jim Miller (21-4-0) via UD (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Frankie Edgar (1-1-1)
2012-02-26: L vs. [#1LW/#5DD] Ben Henderson (16-2-0) via UD (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
2011-10-08: W vs. [#5LW] Gray Maynard (11-1-1) via KO (Punches) in 3:54 of round 4
2011-01-01: D vs. [#5LW] Gray Maynard (11-1-1) via Draw (Split) in 5:00 of round 5
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Ben Henderson 167, Frankie Edgar 167
Previous Match-up Record: Ben Henderson leads 1-0-0
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#10] Donald Cerrone (18-4-0) vs. [#25] Melvin Guillard (30-11-2)
Last 3 Fights: Donald Cerrone (2-1-0)
2012-05-15: W vs. [#41LW] Jeremy Stephens (20-8-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-12-30: L vs. [#4LW] Nate Diaz (16-7-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
2011-10-29: W vs. [#4FW] Dennis Siver (20-8-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 2:22 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Melvin Guillard (1-2-0)
2012-07-07: W vs. [#86LW] Fabricio Camoes (14-7-1) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2012-01-20: L vs. [#16LW] Jim Miller (21-4-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 3:04 of round 1
2011-10-08: L vs. [#15LW] Joe Lauzon (22-7-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 0:47 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Donald Cerrone 88, Melvin Guillard 35
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#7WW] Jake Shields (27-6-1) vs. [#27] Ed Herman (20-8-0)
Jake Shields is the All-Time #21 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Jake Shields (1-2-0)
2012-02-26: W vs. [#143WW] Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-5-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-09-17: L vs. [#6WW] Jake Ellenberger (27-6-0) via TKO (Knee and Punches) in 0:53 of round 1
2011-04-30: L vs. [*] Georges St Pierre (22-2-0) via UD (50-45, 48-47, 48-47)
Last 3 Fights: Ed Herman (3-0-0)
2012-02-04: W vs. [#100MW] Clifford Starks (8-1-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 1:43 of round 2
2011-08-14: W vs. [#90MW] Kyle Noke (19-6-1) via Submission (Inverted Heel Hook) in 4:15 of round 1
2011-06-04: W vs. [#280MW] Tim Credeur (12-4-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:48 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Jake Shields 167, Ed Herman 189
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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FightMatrix Program: UFC on Fox 4 (08-03-2012)
Light Heavyweight (205)
[#4] Mauricio Rua (20-6-0) vs. [#29] Brandon Vera (12-5-0)
Mauricio Rua is the All-Time #4 ranked Light Heavyweight and #18 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Mauricio Rua (1-2-0)
2011-11-19: L vs. [#2LHW] Dan Henderson (29-8-0) via UD (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
2011-08-27: W vs. [#8LHW] Forrest Griffin (19-7-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:53 of round 1
2011-03-19: L vs. [#1LHW/#2DD] Jon Jones (16-1-0) via TKO (Punches and Knees) in 2:37 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Brandon Vera (1-1-0, 1 NC)
2011-10-29: W vs. [#80LHW] Eliot Marshall (10-4-0) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-01-01: NC vs. [#21LHW] Thiago Silva (14-3-0) via NC (Overturned by NSAC) in 5:00 of round 3
2010-03-21: L vs. [#1LHW/#2DD] Jon Jones (16-1-0) via TKO (Elbows and Punches) in 3:19 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Mauricio Rua 259, Brandon Vera 280
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Light Heavyweight (205)
[#5] Lyoto Machida (17-3-0) vs. [#6] Ryan Bader (14-2-0)
Lyoto Machida is the All-Time #7 ranked Light Heavyweight and #19 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Lyoto Machida (1-2-0)
2011-12-10: L vs. [#1LHW/#2DD] Jon Jones (16-1-0) via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 4:26 of round 2
2011-04-30: W vs. [*] Randy Couture (19-11-0) via KO (Front Kick) in 1:05 of round 2
2010-11-20: L vs. [#7LHW] Quinton Jackson (32-10-0) via SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Ryan Bader (2-1-0)
2012-02-26: W vs. [#7LHW] Quinton Jackson (32-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#51LHW] Jason Brilz (18-5-1) via KO (Punch) in 1:17 of round 1
2011-07-02: L vs. [*] Tito Ortiz (17-11-1) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:56 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Lyoto Machida 238, Ryan Bader 160
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Lightweight (155)
[#29] Joe Lauzon (21-7-0) vs. [#32] Jamie Varner (20-6-1)
Last 3 Fights: Joe Lauzon (2-1-0)
2012-02-26: L vs. [#12LW] Anthony Pettis (15-2-0) via KO (Head Kick and Punches) in 1:21 of round 1
2011-10-08: W vs. [#24LW] Melvin Guillard (30-11-2) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 0:47 of round 1
2011-06-26: W vs. [#252WW] Curt Warburton (10-3-0) via Submission (Kimura) in 1:58 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Jamie Varner (3-0-0)
2012-05-26: W vs. [#80LW] Edson Barboza (10-1-0) via TKO (Punches) in 3:23 of round 1
2012-02-10: W vs. [#95LW] Drew Fickett (42-18-0) via Submission (Punches) in 0:40 of round 1
2011-10-21: W vs. [#232FW] Nate Jolly (12-4-0) via KO (Punches) in 1:09 of round 1
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Joe Lauzon 160, Jamie Varner 70
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 2 win(s) against common opposition.
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Ranking Debate: Mike Russow (with Polls)
Recently, Sherdog updated their rankings again and I was quite surprised to see Mike Russow at #10 in the Heavyweight rankings. I thought I was dreaming last month when I saw him in their Top 10, but now I know that it’s for real. A dream it was not.
It’s quite common to see human polled subjective rankings seemingly “grab” a fighter at random to slide into an open final spot. After all, Russow didn’t get into the Top 10 via some big win, nor did he accomplish a ranking boost due to a loss (see: Michael Bisping). For Russow, it was Carwin’s inactivity-fueled ejection from the list that let Russow mysteriously slide into the #10 position.
Post UFC 149: Lombard or Boetsch?
We decided to highlight Hector Lombard as being appropriately ranked, or at least being deserving of a higher ranking than Bisping, thus being in the Top 10 — this being in our two blog posts regarding Michael Bisping’s inflated ranking on most sites. Read the “follow-up” blog post here.
Prior to UFC 149, we had Lombard at #6 and Boetsch at #9. The USA/Today Consensus Ranking had them at #11 and #6 respectively.
Given that the official verdict was a split decision for Boetsch, we were all in the ballpark. Though this viewer, and the three Sherdog unofficial judges in the play-by-play, gave the fight to Lombard 29-28. Had this been the official call, our ranking would have been perfect. Lombard didn’t set the world on fire, but a #6 beating a #9 by 29-28 x3 is a reasonable result, considering their pre-fight positions.
What do you think?
[poll id=”10″]
FightMatrix Program: UFC 149 (07-17-2012)
Bantamweight Championship (135)
[#3] Urijah Faber (26-5-0) vs. [#5] Renan Barao (28-1-0)
Urijah Faber is the All-Time #9 ranked Absolute fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Urijah Faber (2-1-0)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#10BW] Brian Bowles (10-2-0) via Submission (Guillotine Choke) in 1:27 of round 2
2011-07-02: L vs. [#1BW/#9DD] Dominick Cruz (19-1-0) via UD (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
2011-03-19: W vs. [#9BW] Eddie Wineland (19-8-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Last 3 Fights: Renan Barao (3-0-0)
2012-02-04: W vs. [#23BW] Scott Jorgensen (13-6-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
2011-11-05: W vs. [#38BW] Brad Pickett (21-6-0) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:09 of round 1
2011-05-28: W vs. [#57BW] Cole Escovedo (17-9-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Urijah Faber 245, Renan Barao 168
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: Even: Both have 1 win(s) against common opposition.
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Middleweight (185)
[#6] Hector Lombard (31-2-1) vs. [#9] Tim Boetsch (15-4-0)
Hector Lombard is the All-Time #22 ranked Middleweight fighter.
Last 3 Fights: Hector Lombard (3-0-0)
2011-11-19: W vs. [#38LHW] Trevor Prangley (25-9-1) via TKO (Punches) in 1:06 of round 2
2011-09-03: W vs. [#86WW] Jesse Taylor (20-9-0) via Submission (Heel Hook) in 1:26 of round 2
2011-05-14: W vs. [#79MW] Falaniko Vitale (30-10-0) via KO (Punch) in 0:54 of round 3
Last 3 Fights: Tim Boetsch (3-0-0)
2012-02-26: W vs. [#17MW] Yushin Okami (26-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 0:54 of round 3
2011-09-24: W vs. [#40MW] Nick Ring (12-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
2011-05-28: W vs. [#33MW] Kendall Grove (15-10-0) via UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Hector Lombard 245, Tim Boetsch 146
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Heavyweight (265)
[#18] Cheick Kongo (17-7-2) vs. [#73] Shawn Jordan (13-3-0)
Last 3 Fights: Cheick Kongo (2-1-0)
2012-02-26: L vs. [#12HW+] Mark Hunt (8-7-0) via TKO (Punches) in 2:11 of round 1
2011-10-29: W vs. [#26HW+] Matt Mitrione (5-1-0) via UD (30-27, 29-27, 29-28)
2011-06-26: W vs. [#56HW+] Pat Barry (7-5-0) via KO (Punch) in 2:39 of round 1
Last 3 Fights: Shawn Jordan (2-1-0)
2012-03-03: W vs. [#219HW+] Oli Thompson (9-3-0) via TKO (Punches) in 1:07 of round 2
2011-09-23: W vs. [#35HW+] Lavar Johnson (17-6-0) via Submission (Keylock) in 3:08 of round 2
2011-07-22: L vs. [#47HW+] Devin Cole (20-9-1) via UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Days Since Last Pro Fight: Cheick Kongo 146, Shawn Jordan 140
Previous Match-up Record: No previous match-ups.
Wins Against Common Opposition: No common opposition or both are winless against common opposition.
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Middleweight Fights I’d Like to See
The middleweight division has been in the spotlight as of late, with both the UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and his Strikeforce counterpart Luke Rockhold making successful title defenses this month, and Chris Weidman emerging as a possible contender to the UFC gold. Another high profile bout is coming up this weekend as Hector Lombard takes on Tim Boetsch at UFC 149, and a bout between [#12] Brian Stann and [#13] Michael Bisping has been slated for UFC 152.
Here are fifteen other middleweight matchups I would like to see in UFC and Strikeforce:
[#2] Chael Sonnen vs [#25] Wanderlei Silva
While Sonnen remains the #2 middleweight, going 0-2 against the champion sends him to the back of the proverbial line when it comes to title contention. Given the animosity which exists between Chael and Wanderlei Silva, this should make for some epic smack talk and an entertaining matchup without title implications.
[#3] Chris Weidman vs the winner of [#6] Hector Lombard / [#9] Tim Boetsch
After an impressive win over Mark Munoz, Weidman is pushing for a shot at the champion. However it is not likely that Anderson will fight again this year, and sitting on the bench waiting for a title shot will do no favors to Weidman’s career. Pit Weidman against Lombard or Boetsch and you have a legitimate #1 contender for Anderson Silva’s next fight.
[#4] Luke Rockhold vs [#20] Lorenz Larkin
It’s dificult to find a true contender on Strikeforce’s anemic roster. Luke Rockhold expressed interest in rematching Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, and Roger Gracie is quickly moving up the rankings. However I believe Souza and Gracie are better off fighting each other next. Rockhold should instead take on Lorenz Larkin, who made an solid divisional debut with a unanimous decision win over Robbie Lawler.
[#5] Vitor Belfort vs [#7] Alan Belcher
Alan Belcher looked like a monster since returning to action from an injury layoff, finishing Jason MacDonald and Rousimar Palhares in the first round. Vitor Belfort also racked up two first-round stoppages over Yoshihiro Akiyama and Anthony Johnson since suffering a knockout courtesy of Anderson Silva. Guaranteed fireworks, and a win will move one of these middlweights into the title picture.
[#8] Rich Franklin vs [#46] Cung Le
Former champion Rich Franklin was as scrappy and resilient as ever in his return to the middleweight division, and spoke of making one last run at the title. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) for ‘Ace’, a third matchup with Anderson Silva remains an impossibly tough sell even 5 years after they last met in the Octagon. For now Franklin is relegated to big-name, low-significance ‘superfights’. He was slated to meet Cung Le in his most recent fight before injuries forced card changes. With both guys coming off hard-fought victories, this remains an intriguing matchup.