In almost all of our divisional rankings there is a clear #1, but not always a clear #2 or #3.  Consider these matches and give us your thoughts on how they will/would go down.

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Heavyweight (#2)

#2 Frank Mir vs. #3 Brock Lesnar

The sequel, which is already scheduled to happen.  The winner of this should become a clear #2 at Heavyweight, not only in our ratings, but in the minds of MMA fans.

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Light Heavyweight (#1)

#1 Rashad Evans vs. #2 Quinton Jackson

Although Machida/Evans should do a good job in determining a clear #1, Jackson/Evans is the optimal match-up.

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Middleweight (#2)

#2 Demian Maia vs. #3 Jorge Santiago

The undefeated Maia against Santiago, who is on a torrid run.  Two brazilians facing off to see who gets the next shot at their fellow countrymen.  Will probably never happen.

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Welterweight (#3)

#3 Jon Fitch vs. #4 Jake Shields

UFC’s perennial contender versus a Bully Beatdown alumni.

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Lightweight (#1 or #2)

Satoru Kitaoka, B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian

Lightweight is a mess.  We’ll get Penn/Florian later, but Kitaoka is at the top of our rankings right now.  Any matchups between these three would bring some clarity to the division.

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Featherweight (#3)

#3 Wagnney Fabiano vs. #4 Yuji Hoshino

With a pretty clear #1 and #2, a Fabiano/Hoshino victor would become at least #3, and possibly pass Faber for the #2 spot.

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Bantamweight (#2)

#2 Rani Yahya vs. #3 Brian Bowles

Brian Bowles is in line to get the next title shot, but the FightMatrix computer believes he has been passed up by Yahya.  Since losing to former top WEC Bantamweight Beebe, and the elite Yamamoto, Yahya has submitted two Top Bantamweights in the first round.

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Flyweight (#2)

#2 Yuki Shoujou vs. #3 Ryuichi Miki

Yamaguchi and Urushitani have been pushed to the side by up-and-comers Shoujou and Miki.    Shoujou lost to Yamaguchi, beat Urushitani, then lost in his title shot to Kojima.  Miki has not lost in over three years, but does not have a win against a top Flyweight opponent.

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Women (#1)

#1 Megumi Fujii vs. #2 Tara Larosa

Due to a lack of quality opposition, former #1 LaRosa has been passed by Fujii.  They are about 20 pounds apart, but we can dream about a catchweight bout between them.  Tsuji/Fujii may be more likely, and the winner of that would come out as a clear #1.

Notable Info

• Recent shows added to the database.
• Older female bouts have been added and corrected.  This caused moderate fluctuations in the women rankings.

Lightweights

4. Andre Winner beat 7. Santino Defranco

Welterweights

5. Damarques Johnson beat 11. Dean Amasinger

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This week, the focus is on Victor O’Donnell.

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Notable Info

• Ranked #37 at Welterweight, although he has often fought at Middleweight.
• Undefeated at 7-0 (Sherdog’s record is incomplete).
• Has finished all of his opponents by submission.
• Recently defeated UFC veteran, Forrest Petz in a match at 175 lbs.

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O’Donnell has done a decent job of amassing points outside of a major organization.  The win over Petz was a major boost to his rating (as was building upon Sherdog’s incomplete copy of his record).  I’ll double check his record, and his opponents’ records for completeness in the near future.  This may, or may not change his ranking.

EDIT: It looks like it will change his ranking.  He will fall several spots in the next update.  Aahh, the problems with MMA databases.

Notable Info

• Recent shows from GCM, XFC, UWC, Bellator, and others added to the database.
• Some older shows have been added to the database. This has caused some fluctuations.

It has become increasingly apparent that the MMA database providers have become more lazy in their efforts to update their databases with suitable accuracy and timeliness. If you determine from the rankings that we are missing some results, please let us know in the forum.

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10. Nicholas Osipczak beat 3. Mark Miller

An upset in this one… so the higher seed is now 11-5.

One of the benefits of having a computerized rating system with a mature and frequently updated database, is that it often brings unknown fighters to your attention.  I’d like to make a habit of this type of blog post, in which I mention a fighter in an obscure league who is doing well, that you may not have heard of.

This week, we have Richard Hale.

Notable Info

• 11 wins, 2 losses.
• Reigning and defending Rage in the Cage champion at Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight.
• Currently the FightMatrix #49 Heavyweight overall.
• 9th highest rated out of Heavyweights that have never fought in UFC, Strikeforce, EliteXC, or PRIDE.
• Only one of his wins has went the distance.
• Has avenged one of his two losses.

Due to the limited talent pool at RITC, especially in the LHW and HW divisions, he’s pretty much topped out his FightMatrix rating.

Notable Info

• Recent shows from UFC, Shooto, Bellator, Kingdom MMA,  and others added to the database.
• Some older shows have been added to the database.  This has caused some fluctuations.