2009 MMA Gloves Top Ten Heavyweights List
HEAVYWEIGHT 205+ pounds
2009 was a big year for the heavyweights and 2010 might be the year of Fedor Emelianenko if he gets a chance to compete in the UFC and if Brock Lesnar stays out of the sport due to his recent illness. 2010 will definitely see some changes for this volatile weight division and we can expect this MMA Gloves list to definitely be different come the end of 2010.
1. Brock Lesnar
Whether his future is uncertain due to recent illness, there is still no other monster in the sport of MMA like Brock Lesnar. This man is a powerhouse in professional sports with a successful career in both professional and amateur before taking on the Octagon. Entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2007 and losing to Frank Mir, Lesnar has since gained the Heavyweight championship and successful regained the victory over Mir.
In 2009, Lesnar contracted a bacterial illness which left a hole in his intestine and many speculate that the damage could permanently remove him from the sport of mixed martial arts. As of the end of 2009, there is still no decision on whether Lesnar’s championship will be up for grabs.
Lesnar’s MMA record is 4-1-0.
2. Frank Mir
Born into the world of martial arts, Frank Mir, the former two-time UFC Heavyweight champion, comes from a family of kenpo karate instructors. In high school, he had a successful wrestling career and felt that there was no need to develop a background in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu until losing to Tim Sylvia in 2004. Since then, he has earned his black belt in BBJ.
Considered the 3rd best heavyweight in the world by Sherdog, Mir’s MMA career in 2010 hinges on the return or lack of return of Lesnar in 2010. Mir is also a color commentator for World Extreme Cagefighting.
Frank Mir’s record for 2009 is 13-4-0.
3. Fedor Emelianenko
Considered one of the most relentless and best fighters in the MMA, Fedor Emelianenko is one of the sport’s most underrated mixed martial arts fighters. This Russian born heavyweight fighter has an impressive ruthless precision to his fights, an immense strength and dedication to MMA training.
Fedor has held five separate major championships, the “bad man” of the MMA waits for the day the UFC opens its door to him so he can prove to the world who the greatest fighter is.
His current 2009 MMA record is 31-1-0.
4. Josh Barnett
Barnett’s career in the world of mixed martial arts and professional wrestling has always been shadowed by his abuse of performance enhancing drugs like steroids. In 2002, after becoming the youngest Heavyweight champion with a win against Randy Couture, Barnett had tested positive for three anabolic substances and had his license suspended for six months.
Since then, this American wrestler has had his share of victories and success in Japanese wrestling, and was their fro the premiere event for Affliction where he scored a knockout in the second round.
In 2009, Barnett again test positive for steroids and might spend 2010 benched due to drug use.
Josh Barnett’s MMA record is 24-5-0.
5. Shane Carwin
Ranked 10th in the world as a heavyweight by Sherdog, Shane Carwin’s rank will definitely rise in 2010. With the absence of Lesnar, Carwin will probably face Mir in UFC 111 in March 2010. Carwin started out as an amateur wrestler in college and graduated with a degree in engineering. While most MMA fighters are just fighters, Carwin continues to work as an engineer while remaining undefeated in the UFC.
Carwin’s MMA record for 2009 is 11-0-0.
6. Alistair Overeem
Nicknamed the Demolition Man, Alistair Overeem is a Dutch mixed martial arts and kickboxing phenom who currently holds the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. In 2009, he was involved in a major brawl that left his hand badly injured and has since stopped him from successfully defending his championship.
2010 will be a tough year for Overeem as Fedor has his sights set on his championship and we could possibly see a match between these two by the summer of 2010.
Alistair Overeem’s MMA record is 31-11-0.
7. Tim Sylvia
A legend in the sport of mixed martial arts, Tim Sylvia has held the UFC champioship and has fought in several leagues including IFC and Affliction. Growing up on a diet of karate and wrestling, this Maine native stands close to seven feet tall and carries close to 300 lbs. He has been described as “a big son of a bitch” by former UFC champion and MMA trainer Pat Miletich.
Over the years, Tim’s career has been sidelined due to steroid use and injuries to his wrist and arm which have kept him from being on the top of this list. In 2010, his future as a competotor remains a mystery due to injury.
Tim Sylvia’s 2009 MMA record is 25-6-0.
8. Brett Rogers
2010 will be a rebuilding year for Brett Rogers after ending his undefeated streak in November 2009 to Fedor Emelianenko. Ranked 5th by Sherdog and 7th by MMA Weekly, Rogers is still an impressive MMA fighter and continues to grow within the world of mixed martial arts as he fights for Strikeforce.
Brett Rogers 2009 MMA record is 10-1-0.
9. Randy Couture
At the age of 46, there seems to be no slowing down of the MMA Hall-of-famer. Randy Coutre has spent more than 25 years as a mixed martial arts fighter and is one of the few MMA fighter to have held titles in two seperate weight classes. Since his return in 2008, he has been a major force in the UFC and had lost two major fights to Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira before dropping to the light heavyweight division and winning against Brandon Vera.
Randy Coutture’s 2009 MMA record is 17-10-0.
10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has had an impressive career as an mixed martial arts fighter. He has been the Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, has held the WEC Title in 1999, won the Rings 16 man tournament 2000, PRIDE Heavyweight Belt. Nogueira holds the Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo (received both in 1999).
2010 could be a big year for Nogueira depending on the fate of Brock Lesnar and the prominence of Frank Mir waiting for his new shot. We should see Antonio place much higher by next year’s MMA Gloves Top Ten.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s MMA record is 32-5-1.
