Ares Mixed Martial Arts: UFC, Strikeforce news & articles

November 23, 2009 by Ares-mma.com staff

With Thanksgiving upon us, there is a short lull in mixed martial arts action that gives the opportunity to visit the top 10 pound-for-pound list. Here’s how it breaks down from 10-6. . . .

10. Thiago “Pitbull” Alves

Before Thiago Alves got his title shot against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 100, he was coming off 7 consecutive victories – his last three over contenders Karo Parisyan, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck. Alves is one of the biggest and strongest welterweights in the division. He is known primarily as a striker, and his ground game was considered a weakness before he demonstrated outstanding takedown defense against both Hughes and Koscheck, both former Division I All-American wrestlers. At UFC 100, Alves was able to compete with St-Pierre for all 5 rounds before losing a unanimous decision. Alves has a loss to Jon Fitch, who did not make the cut, but that loss came over 3 years ago, and Alves has improved his game at a faster pace than Fitch since then. Thiago Alves is the #10 mixed martial artist in the world pound-for-pound.

9. Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz might be the most technically sound fighter in mixed martial arts.  Diaz has won his last five fights impressively – stopping all 5 opponents.  Diaz is a Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt, under Cesar Gracie, and Nick Diaz has outstanding boxing skills; he has been training under former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa.  Diaz has been competing outside of the UFC since November of 2006.  There seems to be a personal conflict between Diaz and those in power in the UFC, but in time, maybe MMA fans will get to see a matchup between UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz. Nick Diaz is the #9 mixed martial artist in the world pound-for-pound.

8. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (UFC Light Heavyweight Champion)

Lyoto Machida is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and would be higher on the list, but in the fight business you are only as good as your last fight. Machida was given the decision against Shogun in his last fight, but Shogun controlled that fight. Before his fight with Shogun though, Lyoto Machida was undefeated (15-0) with quality wins over Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans in his previous two fights. Machida’s karate style seemed to be a puzzle that could not be solved. Every fighter who came against Machida was walking directly into a buzz saw. With a convincing win over Shogun in their rematch in May of 2010, Machida could leap directly back into the top 5. Lyoto Machida is the #8 mixed martial artist in the world pound-for-pound.

7. Brian Bowles (WEC Bantamweight Champion)

Brian Bowles is the reigning WEC Bantamweight Champion. Bowles is undefeated (8-0), and his last win came against Miguel Torres at WEC 42. Bowles stopped Torres, and took his title, with a first round knockout. Although Bowles is only 8 fights into his professional mixed martial arts career, the first round knockout of Miguel Torres propels him onto this list. He is the undefeated WEC Bantamweight Champion, and until someone proves otherwise, Bowles is the #7 mixed martial artist in the world pound-for-pound.

6. Brock Lesnar (UFC Heavyweight Champion)

Mixed martial arts had never before seen anyone like Brock Lesnar. He is an athletic 6′3” and 280 lbs (has to sweat down to make the UFC’s 265 lb heavyweight limit). Lesnar was the 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion in wrestling, and those skills have begun to translate to mixed martial arts in a way that has have become scary to the rest of the UFC’s heavyweight division. Lesnar’s dominating performance at UFC 100 over Frank Mir has quickly become a thing of legend. Frank Mir is a big, strong heavyweight, who is skillful on the ground, and Lesnar was able to take him down and force him into a completely helpless position before landing devastating punches over and over again. Lesnar currently has a serious illness that has rendered him unable to defend his UFC heavyweight title. Until there is an official announcement that Lesnar will no longer be able to compete, he will remain on this list. Brock Lesnar is the #6 mixed martial artist in the world pound-for-pound.

Check Ares-mma.com tomorrow for 5-1 of the top 10 pound for pound list.