MMA’s Top 25 Unknown and Up & Coming Heavyweights
By KTW
– Senior Editor
Upcoming Fights and Videos Below!
Within the past two or three years, the heavyweight division in mixed martial arts (mma) has had a rebirth of a sort. During the quiet years of mixed martial arts, it appeared that it wasn't as many talented fighters in comparison to today's numbers. And with that, the talent pool was hit and miss, especially in the big boy division. There simply wasn't any true heavyweight that was able to garner the attention of the casual fan, which is the fanbase that has recently fueled the rebirth of mma. And as we've seen with boxing, if there's not one or two dominating and well-known heavyweights, the entire sport seems to border on the realm of obscurity to the general masses.
This is a comprehensive list of up and coming heavyweights from around the world. Also within this list are those heavyweight mixed martial arts fighters who may not be well known to the casual mma fan. So, fighters that have fight experience as well as being relatively known amongst the American fanbase such as a Fabricio Werdum, Roy Nelson, & Ben Rothwell….to name a few, aren't included in this list.
~MMA's Top 25~
~Unknown and Up & Coming~
Heavyweights
| pr | cr | Fighter | Record | 1st Rd Stops |
Ht | Wt | Age | Discipline | Origins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Sergei Kharitonov (Strikeforce) | 16-4 7 KOs 8 subs |
15 | 6’4" | 242 | 29 | Sambo, Boxing, Muay Thai | Russia |
| 3 | 2 | Muhammed Lawal (Strikeforce) | 7-0 4 KOs |
4 | 5’11" | 218 | 27 | Wrestling | Tennessee |
| 4 | 3 | Shane Del Rosario (Strikeforce) | 9-0 7 KOs |
7 | 6'4" | 240 | 25 | Muay Thai | California |
| 5 | 4 | Antonio Silva (Strikeforce) | 14-2 9 KOs |
11 | 6’4" | 265 | 29 | Muay Thai, Karate, BJJ | Brazilian |
| 6 | 5 | Mike Russow (UFC) | 12-1 8 subs |
9 | 6’2" | 265 | 32 | Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing | Chicago |
| 7 | 6 | Damian Grabowski (Bellator) | 11-0 4 KOs 7 subs |
9 | 6’1" | 230 | 29 | BJJ, Submission Wrestling | Poland |
| 1 | 7 | Karlos Vemola (UFC) | 7-1 3 KOs 4 subs |
7 | 6’0" | 243 | 26 | Submission Wrestling | Czech Republic |
| 18 | 8 | Aleksander Emelianenko | 15-3 | 12 | 6’6" | 253 | 28 | Boxing, Sambo, Judo | Russia |
| 8 | 9 | Bobby Lashley (Strikeforce) | 5-0 | 4 | 6’3" | 252 | 33 | Collegiate Wrestling | Kansas |
| 9 | 10 | Stefan Struve (UFC) | 19-4 14 subs |
13 | 6’11" | 245 | 22 | Kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu | Netherlands |
| 10 | 11 | Dave Herman | 16-2 13 KOs |
15 | 6’5" | 240 | 25 | Boxing, Wrestling | Indiana |
| 11 | 12 | Todd Duffee (UFC) | 5-0 5 KOs |
4 | 6’3" | 255 | 23 | Freestyle | Indiana |
| 12 | 13 | Lavar Johnson (Strikeforce) | 14-3 12 KOs |
12 | 6’4" | 242 | 32 | Boxing | California |
| 13 | 14 | Brandon Cash (Strikeforce) | 5-2 3 KOs |
3 | 6’5" | 256 | 29 | Boxing | California |
| 14 | 15 | Roger Gracie (Strikeforce) | 3-0 2 subs |
2 | 6’4" | 220 | 27 | BJJ, Submission Wrestling | Brazilian |
| 15 | 16 | Brendan Schaub (UFC) | 6-1 6 KOs |
5 | 6’5" | 240 | 34 | Boxing, BJJ | Colorado |
| 16 | 17 | Patrick Barry (UFC) | 5-1 5 KOs |
4 | 5’11" | 237 | 30 | Sanshou, Muay Thai | Louisiana |
| 17 | 18 | Chris Tuchscherer (UFC) | 18-9 7 KOs 6 subs |
14 | 6’2" | 258 | 34 | Boxing, Wrestling | North Dakota |
| 9 | 19 | Mariusz Pudzianowski | 2-1 2 KOs |
2 | 6’1" | 315 | 32 | Kyokushin Karate, Boxing | Poland |
| 21 | 20 | Hae Joon Yang (free agent) | 4-0 4 KOs |
4 | 5’10" | 242 | Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai | South Korea | |
| 22 | 21 | Chad Corvin (UFC) | 6-0 4 KOs |
6 | 6’5" | 253 | 23 | Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling | Kentucky |
| 23 | 22 | Daniel Cormier (Strikeforce) | 2-0 | 1 | 5’11" | 240 | 30 | Collegiate Wrestling | Louisiana |
| 24 | 23 | Dan Christison | 17-7 11 subs |
8 | 6’8" | 270 | 37 | Submission Wrestling | California |
| 25 | 24 | Stav Economou | 10-1-1 7 KOs |
8 | 6’1" | 250 | 23 | Vale Tudo | Cyprus |
| H | 25 | Cole Konrad (Bellator) | 4-0 1 KO 1 sub |
2 | 6'5" | 265 | 26 | Wrestling | Minnesota |
~Honorables~
| pr | cr | Fighter | Record | 1st Rd Stops |
Ht | Wt | Age | Discipline | Origins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | H | Travis Browne (UFC) | 10-0 8 KOs 1 subs |
7 | 6'7" | 251 | Boxing | California | |
| - | H | Roger Lloret (Bellator) | 9-1-1 6 subs |
6'3" | 235 | BJJ | Spain | ||
| - | H | Jon Madsen (UFC) | 6-0 | 2 | 6'0" | 252 | 30 | Wrestling | South Dakota |
| - | H | Michal Kita (Bellator) |
10-4 | 10 | 5'10" | 240 | Wrestling, Sub. Wrestling, Kickboxing | Poland | |
| 19 | H | Kimbo Slice | 4-1 | 2 | 6’2" | 234 | 35 | Boxing, Streetfighting | Bahamas, Miami |
| 25 | H | Blagoi Ivanov | 2-0 1 KO |
1 | 5'11" | 240 | 22 | Sambo, Judo | Bulgaria |
| - | H | Daniel Puder | 8-0 2 KOs 3 subs |
6'3" | 235 | 28 | Amateur wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai | California | |
| - | H | Tony Johnson Jr (KOTC) | 4-0 2 KO |
1 | 6'1" | 265 | Freestyle Wrestling | Ohio |
~~~~~~~~
Video Links
Shane Del Rosario vs. Brandon Cash
Dave "PeeWee" Herman vs. Jim York
World's Strongest Man–Mariusz Pudzianowski in his mma debut
Hae Joon Yang vs. Joaquim Ferreira
Tim Sylvia vs. Mariusz Pudzianowski….Article & Video
Damian Grabowski vs. Michal Kita
~~~~~~~~
-Tony Johnson, Jr[H] vs. Nick “Afrozilla” Gaston ….KOTC(Imminent Danger)….August 13th
-Cole Konrad[#25] vs. Rogent Lloret ….Bellator 25…August 19th
-King Mo[#2] vs. Rafael Cavalcante….Strikeforce: Houston….August 21st(LHW Championship fight)
-Sergei Kharitonov[#1] vs. Antonio "Big Foot" Silva[#4]….Strikeforce: Houston….August 21st
-Bobby Lashley[#9] vs. Chad Griggs….Strikeforce: Houston….August 21st
-Travis Browne[H] vs. Cheik Kongo….UFC 120…October 16th
-Brendan Schaub[#16] vs. Gabriel Gonzaga….UFC 121…October 23rd
-Jon Madsen[H] vs. Todd Duffee[#12]….UFC 121…October 23rd
-Shane Del Rosario[#3] defeated Lolohea Mahe via punches….ShoMMA (Strikeforce) 9…July 23rd
-Brendan Schaub[#18] defeated Chris Tuchscherer[#16]….UFC 116…7/3/10
-Travis Browne[H] defeated James McSweeney….TUF 11 Finale
-Cole Konrad[#25] defeated John Orr…..Bellator 22
-Damian Grabowski[#6] defeated Michal Kita[H]….'battle for #1 Polish heavyweight'
-Mirko CroCop defeated Pat Barry[#17]….UFC 115
-Mike Russow[#5] defeated Todd Duffee[#12]….UFC 114
-Tim Sylvia defeated Mariusz Pudzianowski[#19]
-Jim York defeated Brandon Cash via submission(punches)…CFC 14
-Antonio Silva[#4] defeated Andrei Arlovski…Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
-Roger Gracie[#15] defeated Kevin Randleman…Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery
- Sokoudjou defeated Dave Herman via DQ(knees)
-Matt Mitrione defeated Kimbo Slice[H]……UFC 113
-Cole Konrad[#25] defeated Pat Bennett….Bellator Fighting Championship 17
There are a few fighters that can be held responsible for pumping life back into the heavyweight division as of recent years. Arguably one of the best heavyweights ever, Fedor Emelianenko(31-1) of Russia, has been at the top of this list for a few years now, even with the air of unfamiliarity that accompanies him. No one has been able to sufficiently beat him, minus a disqualification. His mystique comes from fighting primarily outside of the US in Japan and other international locations. Whether you like Fedor or not, you want to tune in to see what the hype is all about; or perhaps, you want to witness Fedor's first real lost in mma. He has dominated the majority of his opponent with an elite level of submission wrestling and intelligence that's isn't always seen amongst the heavyweight fighters.
Randy Couture (46), in 2007 reinvigorated the UFC and the heavyweight division when he defeated champ Tim Sylvia to regain the title he once had 7 years prior. He was 44 years of age at the time. Couture is a 4 time UFC heavyweight champion. Couture is arguably the most revered American mma fighter amongst the loyal mma fanbase. And this is in part due to his lunch bucket mentality as well as his longevity.
No longer can the talents in the heavyweight division be overlooked. One of the most top tier grappling talents is Frank Mir, another big guy. Mir, a former UFC champion is 1-1 against Brock Lesnar, and is looking for a rubber match. Lesnar knocked out Mir in their last bout. And in Lesnar's very brief mma career, he has brought in an array of differing viewers from his days as an entertainment wrestler. There's no denying the fan appeal that Lesnar has added to the mma world!
This list entails a variant of talents and skill sets. There's the guy who last beat Fedor, Blagoi Ivanov, which was in a Sambo fighting style event….to win Gold from the 4-time champion of this event. Ivanov has since fallen out of the rankings due to inactivity. And you have Marius Pudzianowski, The Polish Muscle, who's known as the Strongest Man In The World. That alone is scary, however, he has some mma skills; he's quick, ultra aggressive, and athletic, and is trained in Kyokushin kaikan karate and was an amateur boxer. Lavar Johnson, a guy with pure one punch knockout power, was shot 3 times in mid 2009 at a family reunion in which one other relative was killed. He won his return fight in knockout fashion.
Some parts of the UK faithful are already calling Karlos Vemola a legend, with just 6 fights under his belt. This guys' stitch is to walk into the cage and walk right up to his opponent and snarl nose to nose, then turns his back in pure disregard for his opponent…all before the fight begins. Vemola recented signed with the UFC.
And is the Filipino-American Shane Del Rosario the best American Heavyweight prospect to date? Time will tell. "King Mo" Lawal continues to look impressive, as has since moved ahead of Rosario with his win over then Strikeforce lhw champion Gegard Mousasi.
The quickest knockout in UFC history belongs to Todd Duffee, another young muscle bound fighter. And then there's all the talented and elite and top tier heavyweight Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu masters in Roger and Rolles Gracie, and Alexander Ribeiro. Rolles was less than spectacular in his last fight as has sense dropped way out of the rankings.
And lastly, Kimbo Slice makes this impressive international list, simply from the standpoint of pure grit and knockout power.
(Mariusz P. photo from polonista, a poster on the forums at mixedmartialarts.com)
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6 Responses to “MMA’s Top 25 Unknown and Up & Coming Heavyweights”
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"The Sandman" Christison, Aleksander Emelianenko, Antonio Silva, Blagoi Ivanov, Bobby Lashley, Brandon Cash, Brendan Schaub, Chad Corvin, Chris Tuchscherer, Cole Konrad, Damian Grabowski, Daniel Cormier, Daniel Puder, Darrill Schoonover, Dave Herman, Hae Joon Yang, James McSweeney, Jon Madsen, Karlos Vemola, King Mo, Lavar Johnson, Marius Pudzianowski, Michal Kita, Mike Russow, Pat Barry, Rogie Gracie, Sergei Kharitonov, Shane del Rosario, Stav Economou, Stefan Struve, Todd Duffee, Travis Browne, mma rankings | KTW
bellator, Bobby Lashley, Dave Herman, karlos, Kimbo Slice, king mo lawal, Lavar Johnson, Mariusz Pudzianowski, mma, mma rankings, next opponet, next+fight, next+opponent, ranking, rankings, Shane del Rosario, shine fights, strikeforce, struve, Todd Duffee, ufc, vemola
Geez, thanks a lot Mister Karlos Vemola for that lackluster performance at UFC 116 against Jon Madsen. Not good.
Can we blame it on fighting in the US for the 1st time; jetlag; being the first fight on the card? :-\
Vemola has surely lost his #1 ranking….but how far will he drop? Stay tuned….
Justin Bieber is my top! He’s extremely cute!
Many thanks writing this
Kimbo Slice makes the list? Kimbo makes the list look bad, everything else is just about right. Though I would add Siyar Bahardurzada to the list, as he’s the current Shooto Champion and recently signed with Strikeforce.
You have a point about Kimbo……considering….especially after his last lost against Mitrione.
No excuses for Kimbo, but Mitrione was at least 45lbs heavier than Kimbo. The guy is no heavyweight, although he threw Mitrione around a few times like a rag doll.
Kimbo may drop completely off the list, as did Rolles Gracie after his last fight. Kimbo will be okay, as long as he stays at 215 and 205.
Will Bahardurzada fight at heavyweight?
I suspect when this list is updated, a few fighters wil drop off….mainly because they will eventually fight at 205….such as Roger Gracie.