Final 2010 Pound-for-Pound Rankings: Who's on top of the world?

By Julie Romine

The rankings of pound for pound MMA fighters in the world is debatable and subjective, especially for a year let alone a month. This brings emotion and controversy out of most MMA fighters, trainers, coaches and teams or fight clubs and fans. And the supposed best pound for pound fighter is usually showcased (often in overkill) prior to an upcoming fight. This “fighter advertising” builds a greater fan base and desire to watch the fight, particularly if it is a PPV to spend the money.

Pound for pound best fighter is not easily summed up as a fighter with the best skills, record, or virtually undisputed in their weight class. But it is a nice start for determining. As MMA grows, the fighters have a more diverse arsenal. There are better fighters now more than ever with skills, heart and knowledge. Some fighters have grasped serious diseases, cancer and critical surgeries such as brain surgery and are back fighting and winning; such as Thiago Alves. There were many spectacular fights in Decembers by all MMA productions which made this even more difficult for me to write.

Enough pre-lims, let’s go! The Final 2010 Pound-for-Pound Rankings:

1. Georges St. Pierre (21-2)

I truly believe, GSP is undoubtedly the best pound for pound fighter in the world. He is not a wrestler by trade, but he out-wrestled and finished Matt Hughes. In his last fight in UFC 124 earlier in December he defeated Josh Koscheck, a world class wrestler. GSP’s striking and work of perfecting the jab displays his diverse and intense training. Last year in UFC 94, he TKO’d BJ Penn. Georges’ record of 21-2 has a balanced mix of TKO’s and submissions, demonstrating that he is one of the most well rounded fighters. Outside of the cage, his demeanor and character speak for themselves. He is a true champion and a near perfect role model for any fighter, fan or spectator.

2. Frankie Edgar (13-1-1)

Edgar’s two wins over BJ Penn in UFC 112 and UFC 118 were the wake up call to lightweight fighters. BJ Penn seemed impenetrable, untouchable…and Frankie’s cardio, non-stop energy, aggressiveness and precise striking led him to an unanimous win over Penn, twice. Despite the draw at UFC 124 (Jan 1, 2011) with Gray Maynard he has the skills and heart of a champ and Lb 4 Lb fighter. He is a wrestler by trade and is training with Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida, so his BJJ skills are top notch. Since the fight with Maynard was so close, Dana White decided to let there be a trilogy and a rematch will be scheduled hopefully sometime this year.

3. Jose Aldo (18-1)

Jose Aldo is an incredible fighter. He has so much power for a featherweight. His flawless striking combined with near perfect ground game coupled with non-stop action will keep Aldo on my list for awhile. At WEC 44 he TKO’d Mike Brown and then at WEC 48 won unanimously over Urijah Faber. Urijah, “The California Kid” was WEC’s featherweight champion and the favorite to win. Jose KO’d Manny Gamburyan at WEC 51 in Sept 2010 in the second round. His impressive fighting skills and dominating victories will keep him in the top of the food chain in featherweight fighting.

4. Alistair Overeem (34-11)

December was quite a month for this Strikeforce heavyweight champ. First he won the K-1 Heavyweight Grand Prix beating Peter Aerts then at Dynamite!! 2010 on Dec 31st KO’d Todd Duffee in 19 seconds of round 1 to become the Dream interim Heavyweight Champ. He is currently holding 3 championship belts! Many people think he is a K-1 or kick boxer fighter but he has only been fighting in K-1 for 2 years. He started MMA at 19 years old. This is quite an impressive record, but there are people still doubting his skills. Overeem will return to the USA for Strikeforce’s World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament in February. 32 of his 33 wins were via stoppage, so when he fights don’t blink!

5. Dominick Cruz (17-1)

Dominic Cruz is a very skilled and fast bantamweight fighter, as well as the WEC champion! His latest victory, a unanimous decision over Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53 in December with non-stop victories since 2008 made the list. Now that WEC has merged with UFC, he will be defending his championship title in the UFC. Cruz, a wrestler by trade has incredible footwork that would make any fighter in any weight class to admire and strive to learn or imitate.

6. Anderson Silva (27-4)

Despite UFC 117‘s disappointing win against Chael Sonnen resulting with injuries, Silva still made the cut for my list! In the 5th round of the fight with Sonnen, he submitted Sonnen by triangle choke into arm bar. Silva returns to fighting Feb 5th, UFC 126 and will be fighting one of the fastest strikers in MMA, Vitor Belfort. This could be a test for both fighters in the striking department and could become a highlight reel for years to come!

7. Mauricio Rua (19-4)

Shogun was impressive in Pride as the 2005 Grand Prix Champion. When he first transitioned to the cage with UFC didn’t look like the same fighter. In October ’09 he fought Lyoto Machida for the first time at UFC 104, and the judges declared Machida the victor. Many fighters, fans and people including Mr. White believed Shogun won, and a re-match was inevitable. May 8th 2010 UFC 113 Shogun proved to the world he is the same fighter as in Pride and quickly dominated Machida with a first round knockout, ending the debate. The light heavyweight fighter will be defending his title at UFC 128 on March 19th against the strong and talented wrestler Rashad Evans.

8. Dan Henderson (26-8)

Henderson, a Greco-Roman wrestler, TKO’d Babalu Sobral at 1:53 of round 1 on December 14th at Strikeforce: St. Louis. After Jake Shields beat Hendo at Strikeforce: Nashville
, a lot of people might of written him off, but I included him on my list because when he fought Babalu he truly looked like the old Hendo from his Pride Fighting days. Despite his age, he didn’t fight like a 40yr old, more like a 30yr old! His record is and will remain impressive with so many victories over top named fighters such as Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Renzo Gracie etc. The list goes on and on. I think 2011 will be a good year for Dan Henderson and look forward to him fighting again.

9. Jake Shields (26-4-1)

The Cesar Gracie blackbelt has not lost a fight since 2004. He has fought top fighters in this ladder, including Dan Henderson and Robbie Lawler. The prior StrikeForce champ’s first UFC fight was against Martin Kampmann in October 2010 at UFC 121 where he won by split decision. Shield’s next fight will be in Toronto, Canada April 30th against the current welterweight champ George St.Pierre at UFC 129. This fight is for the belt, and should be fast pace and a all-out war! Shields needs to show the world and UFC he is championship material and GSP does not want to lose the belt.

10. Fedor Emelianenko (31-2)

Fedor’s record itself is impressive. His Russian mystique keeps fans, fighters and followers curious. Fedor’s most recent loss in 2010 Strikeforce to Fabricio Werdum shocked the world. Everyone believed Fedor could not lose. He will never lose, he is immortal. Most believed he would not lose, not lose to Werdum. One strike, one choke and the fight was over. This is why fans are becoming addicted to MMA, because of the unpredictability. Fedor will be back with Strikeforce’s World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Feb 12th. He is fighting Antonio “Big Foot” Silva (15-2-0), and Fedor just signed with StrikeForce a 4-fight contract. Emelianenko will remain top ten pound for pound fighters. Along with GSP, Fedor is a true champion of the sport inside or outside of the ring or cage.