These are still in the alpha stages, and there are some important things to mention as there are some major differences between these rankings and the FightMatrix ratings.

• Rankings ARE division specific, however some fighters will experience run-over into divisions they jumped in and out of. Fighters CAN appear in more than one list, and will only given credit during times in which they produced quality performances in these divisions. Due to this, divisional info is seriously depended upon. This is a large reason why I think this is still in the alpha stage.
• Years of 1990 and later are considered.
• Monthly ranking snapshots are taken. Fighters are given points based on their standing in the Top 15, with the most points going toward a #1 spot, a little less to #2, right on down the line. Having longevity at the top of the division is key and those who only spend a limited time in a division will suffer. Divisional depth at the time is also given consideration.
• Heavyweight will look a bit odd, as it will include those who excelled at open-weight back in the 1990s.

Rank	Fighter	Total Record	All-Time Division Points
1	Matt Hughes Last Fight: 5/23/2009	43-7-0	1274
2	Georges St. Pierre Last Fight: 7/11/2009	19-2-0	946
3	Sean Sherk Last Fight: 5/23/2009	33-4-1	454
4	Jon Fitch Last Fight: 7/11/2009	19-3-0	428
5	Karo Parisyan Last Fight: 1/31/2009	18-5-0	426
6	Diego Sanchez Last Fight: 6/20/2009	21-2-0	393
7	Hayato Sakurai Last Fight: 7/20/2009	35-9-2	355
8	Jake Shields Last Fight: 6/6/2009	23-4-1	320
9	Thiago Alves Last Fight: 7/11/2009	17-6-0	294
10	Nick Diaz Last Fight: 6/6/2009	20-7-0	227

1. Matt Hughes (1,274 All-Time Welterweight Points)

The most dominant Welterweight in MMA history.  Not much needs to be said here, as he’s spent approximately four years at the top of the division, a streak that was only broken up by his loss to BJ Penn in 2004.  With over a decade in the division, Hughes still ranks near the top and seemingly will try to extend his legacy even further.

2. Georges St. Pierre (946)

If there is an heir apparent to the best Welterweight in history, it is Georges St. Pierre.  Currently the most dominant fighter in the entire sport, he has gone 12-1 since his loss to Matt Hughes in their first contest.  Not only that, but during this 12-1 streak, GSP has had an incredible strength of schedule beating guys like Matt Hughes (2x), Frank Trigg, Sean Sherk, Josh Koscheck, Matt Serra, Jon Fitch, and Thiago Alves, with his only loss to Serra avenged.

3. Sean Sherk (454)

From the #2 position, the point total drops tremendously with a surprising entry at #3.  Before Sherk moved to Lightweight, he was a top Welterweight since 2001.  Until losing to GSP at UFC 56, Sherk went an amazing 29-1-1 in his MMA career.

4. Jon Fitch (428)

After starting his career at Light Heavyweight, then dropping to Middleweight, Fitch finally settled in at Welterweight where he lost only once, in a unanimous decision loss against St. Pierre.   In another couple of months, Fitch should move into the 3rd position on this list.

5. Karo Parisyan (426)

Although Parisyan got off to a rough start against big name competition (two losses to Sherk), he rebounded and became one of the top Welterweights in the sport.  The future for Karo is unclear though, and this list is pretty tight, so if he hopes to gain ground, he’ll have to rack up some more quality wins.

6. Diego Sanchez (393)

Diego’s tenure in the Welterweight division appears to have come to an end, but in his relatively limited time, he made a mark starting at 17-0 only losing to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch.  It would’ve been nice to see him carry on at the weight, but he will now attempt to make a mark at Lightweight.

7. Hayato Sakurai (355)

In the wave of American welterweights, Asians like Hayato Sakurai are often forgotten.  And even though he split time at the Lightweight division, Sakurai did plenty at Welterweight while the division was in its infancy.

8. Jake Shields (320)

The best Welterweight never to fight for the UFC or PRIDE?  That might come to an end eventually, but you know he’s pretty good if he still found the competition to beat to end up on this list.

9. Thiago Alves (294)

I have to say that this one surprised me, but he’s been in the Top 15 for nearly the last 4 years and has been riding near the top since early 2008.

10. Nick Diaz (227)

Is he a Welterweight now, a Middleweight?  That I’m not sure of, but at 26, Diaz has enough time to improve his spot on this list.

Leader of the Pack

1. Roy Nelson (#31 HW)

.

The Next Best Thing

2. Darrill Schoonover (#58 HW)

.

Solid Underdog Picks

3. Abe Wagner (#85 HW)

4. Justin Wren (#111 HW)

5. Kimbo Slice (#124 HW)

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The B-Squad

6. Mike Wessel (#141 HW)

7. Zak Jensen (#146 HW)

8. Scott Junk (#157 HW)

9. Brendan Schaub (#171 HW)

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Longshots

10. James McSweeney (#295 HW)

11. Wes Sims (#302 HW)

12. Marcus Jones (#304 HW)

.

The Filler

13. Jon Madsen (~#500 HW)

NR. Wes Shivers

NR. Matt Mitrione

NR. Demico Rogers

Notable Info

• Rodney Wallace won the eight-man VengeanceFC Light Heavyweight tournament on Saturday, which boosts him into the Top 25 in the division.
• At Welterweight, War Machine rises 35 positions to #108 with his win on Saturday as he attempts to gain some relevance not related to his legal name.
• Joachim Hansen’s inactivity is costing him precious ranking points in the very competitive Lightweight division as he drops to #5.

These are still in the alpha stages, and there are some important things to mention as there are some major differences between these rankings and the FightMatrix ratings.

• Rankings ARE division specific, however some fighters will experience run-over into divisions they jumped in and out of. Fighters CAN appear in more than one list, and will only given credit during times in which they produced quality performances in these divisions. Due to this, divisional info is seriously depended upon. This is a large reason why I think this is still in the alpha stage.
• Years of 1990 and later are considered.
• Monthly ranking snapshots are taken. Fighters are given points based on their standing in the Top 15, with the most points going toward a #1 spot, a little less to #2, right on down the line. Having longevity at the top of the division is key and those who only spend a limited time in a division will suffer. Divisional depth at the time is also given consideration.
• Heavyweight will look a bit odd, as it will include those who excelled at open-weight back in the 1990s.

Rank	Fighter	Total Record	All-Time Division Points
1	Takanori Gomi Last Fight: 5/10/2009	30-5-0	1192
2	B.J. Penn Last Fight: 8/8/2009	14-5-1	616
3	Vitor Ribeiro Last Fight: 7/20/2009	20-3-0	608
4	Tatsuya Kawajiri Last Fight: 5/26/2009	24-5-2	462
5	Marcus Aurelio Last Fight: 8/23/2009	18-8-0	456
6	Yves Edwards Last Fight: 8/9/2009	34-15-1	410
7	Joachim Hansen Last Fight: 7/21/2008	19-7-1	404
8	Caol Uno Last Fight: 6/13/2009	25-12-4	292
9	Dokonjonosuke Mishima Last Fight: 8/23/2009	19-7-0	283
10	Gesias Calvancante Last Fight: 6/22/2008	14-3-1	266

1. Takanori Gomi (1,192 All-Time Lightweight Points)

Its not even close.  Gomi has spent his entire 10+ year career at Lightweight, having separate undefeated spans of 14 fights, and 10 fights.  He’s beaten a who’s who list of fighters, including Tatsuya Kawajiri, Marcus Aurelio, Mitsuhiro Ishida,  Hayato Sakurai, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, and Jens Pulver, amongst others.  He’s been a bit lackluster of late, but there’s no doubting his legacy.

2. B.J. Penn (616)

Regardless of his somewhat disappointing endeavors outside of the Lightweight division, Penn has done just enough at 155 to get him the #2 spot on this list.  Wins at Lightweight over names like Takanori Gomi, Caol Uno, Joe Stevenson, Jens Pulver, and Sean Sherk, plus winning the UFC Lightweight Championship twice, has secured him a lofty spot on this list.  It remains to be seen whether or not he can unseat Gomi at #1, but much of it will have to do with what weight class he decides to compete in.

3. Vitor Ribeiro (608)

Like Gomi, he’s probably on the downside of his career.  But also like Gomi, he was one of the premier Lightweights throughout the early- and mid 2000s.  A TKO loss to Tatsuya Kawajiri was the only loss in the first five and a half years of his career.  He also holds a win over Kawajiri, as well as wins over Joachim Hansen, Mitsuhiro Ishida and others.

4. Tatsuya Kawajiri (462)

The best Lightweight to have never fought on American soil, Kawajiri still kept his opposition strength at a high level throughout his career.  Holding a Top 10 Lightweight ranking on FightMatrix historical snapshots for nearly five years, he finds himself just barely outside of the current Top 10.  If he wants to challenge for a Top 3 spot on this list, he’ll need to another big win or two.

5. Marcus Aurelio (456)

A bit of a surprise here, but the proof is in the pudding.  Aurelio holds a dominant win over a prime Takanori Gomi, and almost pulled off a second win, dropping a split decision.   Was also winner of the 16-man 2004 ZST Grand Prix, beating Masakazu Imanari and Rich Clementi in the process.  Despite many solid wins and performances, he’s without any wins against All-Time Lightweight Top 10s sans Gomi.  Nevertheless, he hardly ever loses in clear fashion, having never been stopped or submitted, and only losing unanimously twice.

6. Yves Edwards (410)

Fighting in the Lightweight division since late 2001, Edwards rose to the top of the heap with his run in 2004-05 where he defeated Hermes Franca (2x), Josh Thomson, and Dokonjonosuke Mishima.  His overall resume is somewhat tarnished due to having 15 losses, and a couple streaks of mediocrity.  Not having been very relevant for the last three years, he’s likely to be passed on this list sooner, rather than later.

7. Joachim Hansen (404)

Only six points behind Edwards, Hansen is ready to move up to #6.  Inactive of late due to injury, he’s had a solid career with wins over Caol Uno, Masakazu Imanari, Yves Edwards, Gesias Calvacante and Takanori Gomi.  A bout of inconsistency which saw him go 2-4 marred his ranking between late 2005 and late 2007, but he picked it up afterward by winning the Dream Lightweight tournament where he went 3-1.

8. Caol Uno (292)

With nearly 15 years as a professional fighter, Uno has found himself at, or near the top of the Lightweight division quite a few times. In fact, he was one of the very best in the division between the late 90s and early 00s with his high point coming in late 1998 where he ranked #1 for a year.

9. Dokonjonosuke Mishima (283)

As you can see from the decrease in point level, the Top 7 are strongly cemented in this division. Mishima is the best of the rest, narrowly edging out Caol Uno who’s at #9. Though he’s recently been at Featherweight, Mishima dominated the DEEP Lightweight scene for years and racked up some good wins in the process.

10. Gesias Calvancante (266)

JZ’s “prime period” has been short and may be over, with a no contest and two disappointing performances in a row.  Although he has some impressive wins on his ledger, longevity at the top is key.

Notable Info

• Nogueira re-enters the Top 3 at Heavyweight with a commanding win over Randy Couture, who falls to #8.  Couture is without a quality performance since August 2007.
• Muhammed Lawal makes a return bout at Heavyweight, completely embarrassing Mark Kerr.  He enters at #23.
• Musical chairs occurs in the bottom-half of the Top 50 at Heavyweight.  Tim Hague, and Justin McCully exit, while Rogent Lloret, Jessie Gibbs, and Todd Duffee enter.
• Thiago Silva hops back into the Top 10 with a devastating knockout win over the UFC’s own Techno Viking, who falls to #11.
• Nate Marquardt shocked Demian Maia in less than 30 seconds with one punch, capturing the #2 position at Middleweight.  Henderson falls to #3.
• Aaron Simpson and Jake Rosholt both make moves at Middleweight, with each jumping 65, and 86 positions respectively.
• Meet Travis Marx.  The latest relative unknown that is steadily creeping up the rankings.  With his most recent win, he moves up to 15-1, and to #17 at Bantamweight.

An interesting note.  This may be the first time that all fighters in a UFC card are ranked in the current rankings.  There are also no fighters coming off of a 15+ month term of inactivity.

There are a few changing of the guard possibilities here, with undefeated fighters that have never tied or lost a decision on a single scorecard, a marker that we highly respect – Dunham/Aurelio, Duffee/Hague, and Simpson/Herman.

Heavyweight
[#4] Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. [#6] Randy Couture

Light Heavyweight
[#9] Keith Jardine vs. [#14] Thiago Silva

Middleweight
[#37] Chris Leben vs. [#132] Jake Rosholt

Middleweight
[#4] Demian Maia vs. [#6] Nate Marquardt

Light Heavyweight
[#17] Brandon Vera vs. [#24] Krzysztof Soszynski

Middleweight
[#31] Ed Herman vs. [#96] Aaron Simpson

Heavyweight
[#18] Gabriel Gonzaga vs. [#31] Chris Tuchscherer

Heavyweight
[#36] Michael Russow vs. [#43] Justin McCully

Heavyweight
[#39] Tim Hague vs. [#61] Todd Duffee

Middleweight
[#107] Nick Catone vs. [#115 LHW] Mark Munoz

Lightweight
[#28 WW] Marcus Aurelio vs. [#70] Evan Dunham

Ranking Notes: Dark green font represents an approximate ranking. An asterisk represents a fighter who is ranked, but too low for an approximation. These two scenarios will clear up slightly as we move forward. “NR” means the fighter is not ranked, due to inactivity, or due to a rating that is at or below the default starter rating.