Monday, June 27, 2016

*Updated* Sergio Kosco 2016 UFC Pound-for-Pound Rankings By: (@FightMartian)


1.  Demetrious Johnson (C) - It's been a near four year reign as the undisputed UFC flyweight champion for Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson as he keeps his spot atop the SK rankings after successfully defending the title for the eighth time against Henry Cejudo this past April. DJ will look to continue his run of dominance as he faces Wilson Reis at UFC 201 in an attempt to close in on Anderson Silva's record of 10 UFC title defenses.


2.  Jon Jones (IC) - After a 15 month layoff due to legal troubles and an indefinite suspension, Jon Jones returned against short notice opponent Ovince St. Preux at UFC 197 after Daniel Cormier suffered an injury and was forced to pull out. Jones was notably rusty after the long layoff but still managed to get a dominant win over a dangerous opponent and win the interim UFC light heavyweight title. Expectations are much higher for "Bones" in his next fight as the main event of the mega card that is UFC 200 in a unification bout against the light heavyweight title holder Daniel Cormier.


3. Dominick Cruz (C) - The fairy tale story of Cruz reclaiming the title he never lost after a near 3 year absence due to injury became a reality after he defeated former champion TJ Dillashaw in a split decision back in January. He most recently put a stamp on his rivalry with long time nemesis Urijah Faber at UFC 199 where he won a dominant unanimous decision and looked better than ever. Those two wins put Cruz back where he has proven he belongs which is near the top of the pound for pound list with his unique fighting style and high fight IQ.


4.  Rafael Dos Anjos (C) - Set to make his second title defense at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs Alvarez in July, Rafael Dos Anjos has been a buzzsaw in the lightweight division after dominating Anthony Pettis to win the title and easily dispatching Donald Cerrone in the first round to make his first defense. With his in-your-face style and seemingly endless cardio Dos Anjos is one of the UFCs most skilled champions and will look to further his legacy as 2016 continues.


5.  Robbie Lawler (C) - Robbie Lawler has laid claim as perhaps the toughest fighter in the UFC during his reign as the UFC welterweight champion. After brutal wars against the very best the division has to offer in Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Carlos Condit, he is now set to face another top dog in Tyron Woodley at UFC 201 in Atlanta. Lawler will once again look to make this an ugly fight and use his heavy hands and iron chin to lead him to his third consecutive title defense.


6. Conor McGregor (C) - The UFCs biggest star has been shrouded in controversy the past few months. We all know what happened in his fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 196 where he suffered his first defeat in the octagon. After being pulled from his fight against Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 200 for refusing to do media obligations, he was then linked to a big money mega fight against boxing great Floyd Mayweather. After much speculation about his next move, it looks like McGregor will have to put his boxing dreams on hold as he is now scheduled to take on Nate Diaz in a rematch at UFC 202. He remains the UFC featherweight champion and may return to defend the title once the dust settles from the Diaz rivalry.


 7. Daniel Cormier (C) - As the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, DC is set to defend his title in the headlining bout of UFC 200 in a rematch against Jon Jones. Cormier will look to avenge the only defeat of his career and cement his legacy as one of the best light heavyweights of all time with a win. With his Olympic wrestling background and powerful hands DC will use his elite skill set to keep him at the top of the division.


8. Jose Aldo - Jose Aldo already has a hall of fame resume as the best featherweight in UFC history after holding the title for over six years. However, after losing the title to Conor McGregor via 13 second KO, Aldo looks to reclaim his championship status by defeating Frankie Edgar in a rematch from 2013 at UFC 200 for the interim UFC featherweight title. Aldo remains one of the best fighters in the world and can launch himself back near the top of the pound for pound list with a win over Edgar.


 9. Michael Bisping (C) - Making his debut on the SK pound-for-pound list Michael Bisping cracks the top ten as the new UFC middleweight champion. After 20+ fights in the UFC, Bisping made the most of his first title shot and shocked the world after a quick KO victory over Luke Rockhold at UFC 199. It's not clear who the next contender for Bisping will be but there are some great matchups that await the most winningest middleweight in UFC history.


10. Stipe Miocic (C) - Another debutant on the SK pound-for-pound list is the new UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic. After a scintillating KO over Fabricio Werdum to win the title, Miocic put himself on the map as a dangerous champion with a versatile skill set. He is set to make his first defense of the title at UFC 203 against top contender Alastair Overeem.

 Honorable mention: (Luke Rockhold, Meisha Tate, Frankie Edgar, Joanna Jedrzejczyk )