UFC Light-heavyweight Rankings September 2008

1 - Forrest Griffin(7-2)
Light Heavyweight Champion
*Next: vs. Rashad Evans(3rd ranked, 7-0-1) @ UFC 92
I feel like we're watching the real life Rocky Balboa after every Forrest fight. He did something nobody could have imagined..defeat Rampage and Shogun. There is no doubt that he deserves the top spot as the improbable champion. Now he faces a fellow TUF winner in Rashad Evans in the battle of the underdogs





2 - Quinton Jackson(3-1)
*Next: vs. Wanderlei Silva(6th ranked, 2-3) @ UFC 91
His immediate rematch looks to have vanished after his meltdown. It's hard to not rank Rampage as top 2 because of the razor-thin decision at UFC 86. Rumored to be taking on Wanderlei, he better have his head on right because Wanderlei is looking for 3 straight over Rampage





3 - Rashad Evans(7-0-1)
*Next: vs. Forrest Griffin(1st ranked, 7-2) @ UFC 92
Evans just verified his status as top contender after leaving the iceman in a heap of carnage. He has to start immediately working on his conditioning in order to withstand Forrest's 5 round pace






4 - Lyoto Machida(5-0)
Machida finally has put himself on the map with a win over Ortiz, but maybe not in the fashion he was dreaming of as many fans are starting to revolt against his counter-attack style. Seems frustrated by not getting a title shot, but has to recognize that he needs a win over someone in the top 5





5 - Chuck Liddell(16-5)
Liddell's title hopes may be gone forever thanks to a brutal knockout at the hands of Rashad Evans. He either has to fight Wanderlei, Machida, or Shogun to put him back in immediate contention.






6 - Wanderlei Silva(2-3)
*Next: vs. Quinton Jackson(2nd ranked, 3-1) @ UFC 91
The UFC fans have finally had the opportunity to experience a Wanderlei KO. Talks of Wanderlei being washed up have been silenced. It's been difficult trying to find an opponent for Wanderlei after what he did to Jardine, but Rampage may answer the call





7 - Shogun Rua(0-1)
Shogun was lackluster in his debut with Forrest Griffin. The knee injury has been a serious setback for him, but will look to make his return very soon possibly against Mark Coleman






8 - Keith Jardine(5-3)
*Next: vs. Brandon Vera(5-2) @UFC 89
Once again inconsistency has come back to haunt Jardine. Suffered a demoralizing KO loss to Wanderlei. His weakness has been exposed and Vera's going to look to push the pace






9 - Thiago Silva(4-0)
Silva lost a chance at a possible title shot when he suffered a back injury during training. He has to recover quickly in order to stay in the shuffle of the deep LHW division






10 - Rameau Sokoudjou(1-1)
*Next: Luiz Cane(1-1) @ UFC 89
Sokoudjou still hasn't shown UFC fans his vast potential. Should finally be in an exciting bout with Cane







On the Brink:
11. Goran Reljic(1-0)
*Next: vs. Thales Leites(10th ranked MW, 4-1) @ UFC 90
Fans were wondering who the heck Reljic was before UFC 84. Now the world knows that mini-Cro Cop has arrived in the UFC. He's going to debut at MW, but looks as if it's temporary
12. Brandon Vera(5-2)
*Next: vs. Keith Jardine(8th ranked, 5-3) @UFC 89
Vera's going to have to show a lot more aggressiveness to break into the top 10 of the deep Light Heavyweight division. Has always had the tools to be a factor
13. Matt Hamill(4-2)
Hamill definitely was overwhelmed by the magnitude of his bout with Rich Franklin. Needs to stick to his strength as an accomplished wrestler, rather than continue and strike with strikers
14. Luiz Cane(1-1)
*Next: vs. Rameau Sokoudjou(10th ranked, 1-1) @UFC 89
Showed a lot of skill with his KO of Lambert. Dangerous on his feet and supposedly more dangerous on the ground, which is a scary thought. Will have his hands full with Sokoudjou
15. Tim Boetsch(2-1)
Boetsch is starting to look downright scary and could give some of these top 10 fighters fits if he keeps taking care of business

Up Next: Stephan Bonnar(5-3), James Irvin(4-4), Eric Schafer(2-2)
Updated: 09/21/08