MMA on Tap Top 10 - August 11, 2008

... thanks for doing this.

That said, can you explain how you have Arlovski over Sylvia and Barnett?

Here’s why I don’t:

Sylvia: Has lost only to higher ranked opponents, has beaten Arlovski twice in the past ~2 years.

Barnett:  1-1 vs Big Nog, loses to CroCop in a GP final when Barnett goes 15 min in his semifinal, CroCop obliterates Wand in a few minutes for his semifinal.  KOs Rizzo, subs Mark Hunt, Nastula, Yoshida & Aleks E., decisions Monson.

As far as Arlovski goes, we had him below Sylvia for a while because just like you said, he lost to Sylvia two out of the three times that they fought. However it was a matter of timing. While Sylvia was losing to Couture and company, Arlovski was slowly climbing back from his two losses to Sylvia, picking up a win over Werdum along the way. Plus with Sylvia now having lost three fights in a row, he’s going to drop now matter what.

I think Barnett’s fight against Arlovski will go a long way in determining where he fits in the rankings. He had one hell of a year in ‘06 but we have to remember that was two years ago. While everyone else in the heavyweight division was keeping active, Barnett didn’t fight for 15 months, which automatically slid him down to the bottom half of the rankings. His wins over Rizzo, Monson, and Yoshida have been impressive, but none of those fighters are Top 10 material. If he wants to move up, those above him are going to have to lose or he’s going to have to score a big win.

ok, thanks for the response:  I still disagree with Arvloski’s place simply because, while yes, Sylvia lost, they are all to guys in the top 3.  I never really understood how someone could drop spots when he loses to guys above him if no one else is beating those guys, or in Arlovski’s case, not even fighting them (though not his fault).

Another question - how is Thiago Alves so low?

It’s tough to gage Sylvia at this point. Yeah, he’s lost three fights in a row, but they’ve been to the top three heavyweights in a row. Still, he’s losing so, it’s tough.

We didn’t have Alves in the Top 10 until his win over Hughes, which goes to show just how deep the talent pool at welterweight is. His fight against Diego at UFC 90 is really going to go a long way in proving that he’s a legitimate player at 170 lbs. If he beats Diego, he’ll definitely move up.

where the fuck is nick diaz??
possibly the best lightweight out there!!
should be in the top 3 anyway…he beat
half the ppl on that shit list!

btw, that’s not me above john ^^

good job guys!

LOL @ #5.  Nick Diaz beat half the guys on what list?!?  He beat an out of shape Gomi.  Who else?  He was getting tooled by Noons before the stoppage.  Won a questionable decision over journeyman Mike Aina.  Destroyed a low level fighter in Thomas Denny.  Where are all these wins you claim over guys in the rankings?

Hey I like Diaz just as much as the next guy but he doesn’t belong near that list right now.  I like Alvarez and Hellboy up there but I think they should be above Gomi who’s done a whole lot of nothing lately.

Still holding out for some Mousasi recognition

Haha, if Mousasi wins the GP, you may have a case.