Verbal Submission: MMA Heavyweight Rankings

I haven’t done a top-10 for each MMA weight class in a long time so let’s get some in before the end of 2010, starting with the heavyweights

Music to listen to:  Cemetary Gates by Pantera

1-Cain Valasquez: Dominated Brock Lesnar to claim the UFC title and emerged as a major face for the promotion. Will have a major test in his first title defense against Brazilin Junior Dos Santos at UFC 129 on April 30 in Toronto.

2- Brock Lesnar: Severely humbled by Valasquez and all are unsure how he will respond to his first beat down in his career. There have been rumblings that the UFC wants Lesnar to fight Frank Mir for a third time but the public has scuffed at that. He’s still a big name in the sport and a major draw for the UFC but the promotion doesn’t want Lesnar to get beaten down for a second consecutive time.

3- Fabricio Werdum: Scored arguable the upset of the year with his submission of Fedor Emelianenko. Had major elbow surgery in August and is now cleared to resume training. He will probably fight either Fedor or Alistair Overeem in 2011 within the Strikeforce promotion.

4- Fedor Emelianenko: The Emperor suffered his first defeat in years and also lost his mythical crown of top pound for pound fighter in the process. A bout against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in Strikeforce in early 2011 would be a nice start on the comeback trail.

5- Junior Dos Santos: The Brazilian gets his shot at the UFC heavyweight title against Valasquez at UFC 129. His standup abilities will give the champ all he could handle and is arguably the toughest opponent that Valasquez has fought to date, including Lesnar.

6- Shane Carwin: Inconsistent year for Carwin. Looked dominant in the first round of his title fight against Lesnar in 2010, but became fatigued and lost in the second round. To make matters worse, Carwin had back surgery late in 2010, cancelling his fight scheduled against Roy Nelson at UFC 125 on Jan. 1.

7- Alistair Overeem: Arguably the best standup fighter in all of MMA won the prestigious K-1 World Grand Prix earlier this month, including a victory over the legendary Peter Aerts in the finals. The hope is that the Demolition Man can come to the States and add some depth to Strikeforce’s heavyweight contingent. An Overeem/Fedor fight would be a delight.

8- Frank Mir: The only person that wants to see Lesnar/Mir III is Mir himself because it’s the only fight that can get him back into the championship fold. Mir already has a loss to Carwin so that’s not going to happen. If the rumored fight of Mir and Brandon Schaub happens, that would bring minor intrigue.

9- Roy Nelson: Big Country lost to Dos Santos in August but may have actually increased his profile in the process. Was scheduled to fight Shane Carwin in January but that was cancelled.

10- Antonio Silva: Stepping up in class in a major way with a suspected fight against Fedor for February.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours?