Top UFC Light Heavyweights

Fan-favorite, “Rampage” Jackson, brings a powerful style to the light heavyweight division. Known for his devastating slams during his time fighting in Japan, Jackson also developed solid boxing under former coach Juanito Ibarra. Jackson has bested Chuck Liddell twice, the second time for the UFC championship, only to lose the belt following a five-round fight with Forrest Griffin. In 2009, Jackson will serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter reality show for the second time.

Rashad Evans won the second season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show and quickly became a contender in the light heavyweight division. He was brought along slowly by fight-maker Joe Silva, and showed improvement each step of the way, ultimately leading to a victory over Forrest Griffin to earn the light heavyweight title. Despite losing his first title defense to Lyoto Machida, Evans has cemented his status as a star and one of the most gifted fighters in the UFC.

Machida recently claimed the light heavyweight title by destroying Rashad Evans in a patient yet explosive performance at UFC 98. Many proclaim that victory to signal the beginning of a long reign as champion for the undefeated fighter, which may very well be true. Machida is a mixed martial artist in the truest sense, blending styles like Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Sumo Wrestling into an impenetrable defense that is complemented by seemingly laser-guided striking.

Forrest Griffin might be the most popular fighter in the world today. Recognizable as the man who battled Stephan Bonnar on what was the most watched MMA match of it’s time on SpikeTV, Griffin is also a skilled mixed martial artist who defeated Quinton Jackson to win the UFC light heavyweight title. Next up for Griffin is a UFC 101 match versus reigning middleweight king Anderson Silva.

One of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Anderson Silva is the UFC middleweight champion. In 2008, he stepped up to the light heavyweight division and dominated hard-hitting James Irvin with a first round TKO. After a technically perfect but perfectly boring victory against Thales Leites, UFC matchmakers have scheduled the feared Brazilian to take on everyone’s favorite brawler, Forrest Griffin.