I’ve seen a lot of MMA World Rankings lately and I haven’t found one I 100% agree with.  Therefore I’m launching the first ever 3rd String Safety Official MMA World Rankings.  Please, hold your applause.  These rankings will be fluid and updated after every major MMA card.

Updated 2/21/10

1. Anderson Silva (25-4)

Anderson Silva is Ichiro Suzuki.  Just because you can’t speak English doesn’t mean you can’t be eccentric.  The man wears pink, comes out to Michael Jackson and loves to break dance after victories.  He can get away with it because he’s a bad ass.  Silva’s striking is without parallel in terms of technique and for all we know he might be the best 205 pound fighter in the world as well.

Next up: Demian Maia, UFC 112

2. Dan Henderson (25-7)

Henderson and Couture are similar in a lot of ways. They both seem to defy age and both have an awesome Greco-Roman wrestling base. Henderson loves to dirty box and fight out of the clinch but he has also shown that he has one of the most devastating right hands in MMA.

Next up: Jake Sheilds, Strikeforce April on CBS

3. Chael Sonnen (25-10-1)

Sonnen is a quick riser up this list.  Sonnen, embracing the role of the underdog, outclassed Dan Miller, Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt in his last three fights.  Sonnen took Okami and Marquardt down at will  and totally dominated both fighters.  Sonnen at 32 seems to have reinvented himself as a fighter as he’s 10-2 in his last 12 fights.  Sonnens relentless world class Greco-Roman wrestling will remind people alot of both Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland.

Next up: #1 Contender Status Dependent On Belfort’s Health, TBA

4. Vitor Belfort (19-8)

Belfort is a unique case.  He’s a guy who was beating champions at such a young age that he earned the nickname “The Phenom.”  During this stretch his sister was kidnapped and it derailed his career.  As horrible as this sounds recently his sister’s body was recovered and it seems to have given Vitor the closure he needs to get his head back into MMA.  He’s riding a 5 fight win streak including devastating wins over  Terry Martin, Matt Lindland and Rich Franklin.  We can only hope the Old Vitor, with his remarkable hand speed and accuracy, is back.

Next up: Anderson Silva, UFC 112

5. Nate Marquardt (29-9-2)

Marquardt is a veteran fighter that’s incredibly well rounded but for one reason or another he never gets the credit he deserves.  Marquardt suffered a tough loss to Sonnen in his last fight but he, admittedly, had a terrible game plan.  If they fought again it might be a different story.  Nate lost his shot at Anderson Silva but he should still be taking high profile fights.

Next up: Nothing Scheduled.

6. Demian Maia (12-1)

Maia is a slick submission artist and using the term slick is a vast understatement.  Maia rattled off 5 straight submission victories in the UFC (including a win over Chael Sonnen) before Maia, literally, ran into Nate Marquardt’s fist.  Who knows what happens if that fight goes more then 20 seconds.  Could Maia have taken him down and submitted him?  Maybe.  In his last fight against Dan Miller, Maia showed that his getting better with every fight.  Maia showcased boxing ability against Miller that he hadn’t yet in his career.  Maia is certainly in the mix for top fights at 185 pounds.

Next up: Anderson Silva, UFC 112

7. Jake Shields (24-4-1)

Shields has bounced around between Middle and Welterweight but for now his home seems to be at 185. Regardless Shields is a top fighter in either weight class. The Cesar Gracie pupil holds victories over top conetenders Paul Daley, Hayato Sakurai, Carlos Condit, and Yushin Okami. He is currently on a 13-fight winning streak, finishing 8 of his last 9 opponents. Shields combines solid wrestling and striking to go along with his elite jiu-jitsu.

Next up: Dan Henderson, Strikeforce April on CBS

8. Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1)

Akiyama is a highly touted Japanese fighter whose UFC debut was met with mixed results.  Akiyama fought a very tough fight, against an underrated Alan Belcher, and narrowly won.  Maybe he’s the next case of a guy coming over from Japan and struggling in the UFC but you can’t question his talent or his record.  The only loss of his career is to Jerome LeBanner.  Yes, Jerome LeBanner, the guy that’s a 265 pound kickboxing legend.  Why he ever fought Akiyama is beyond me.

Next up: Nothing scheduled.  Likely To Fight Wanderlei Silva.

9.  Mamed Khalidov (20-3-1)

Most likely the first fighter on my list that most fans won’t recognize but Khalidov has some impressive skills.  Khalidov has flown under the radar fighting for smaller promotions however he did recently make his debut in America, a TKO victory over Jason Gudia.  Some of it has been against less then stellar competition but Khalidov has rattled off 17 victories in a row and hasn’t lost since 2005.  Most recently Kahlidov destroyed Jorge Santiago, who prior to their fight many considered a top 5 middleweight.  Hopefully Kahlidov will continue to fight top contenders both in Sengoku and Strike Force.

Next up: Jorge Santiago, Sengoku 12

10. Jorge Santiago (21-8)

To be totally honest I don’t know what to make of Santiago.  The ATT product has had one of the most bizarre careers I can remember.  He had a rocky start to his career (8-5.)  After back to back losses he rattled off three impressive victories in a row and then was signed by the UFC.  After an impressive debut over Justin Levens he lost his next two fights by KO to Alan Belcher and Chris Leben.  He fought for various organizations before he found a home with Sengoku.  The new and improved Jorge Santiago won 9 fights in a row all by submission or TKO.  His wins weren’t against cans either.  He beat Andrei Semenov, Jeremy Horn, Tervor Prangley and Kazu Misaki all handily.  In his last fight he got destroyed by Mamed Khalidov.  So what do we make of Santiago?  Is he a fighter he just figured it out all as he got older? Or is he another classic example of a fighter who only wins overseas?  The answer probably falls somewhere in the middle but for now we’ll pencil him in at 9.

Next up: Mamed Khalidov, Sengoku 12

Honorable Mention:  Wanderlei Silva, Robbie Lawler, Alan Belcher, Yushin Okami

Silva looked rejuvenated at a lighter weight class.  He also recently had facial surgery that removed a ton of built up scar tissue.  Robbie Lawler is a one dimensional fighter who routinely struggles against top competition. Belcher, 25 years old, still has a very bright future in front of him.  He looked impressive in his last fight. Many fans were clamoring for Okami to get a title shot but those hopes were dashed when he lost to Sonnen in a very lack luster performance.

Not Ranked: Rich Franklin, Paulo Filho

I won’t rank Franklin until he wins a fight and picks a weight class.  It’s never been an issue of talent for Paulo Filho.  He’s battled depression and took a while off from fighting.  He’s looked very rusty since.  He has a lot of work to do before he can crack the top 10 again.

Prospects: Mark Munoz, Aaron Simpson, C.B Dollaway, Tom Lawlor

Munoz and Simpson are on the older side for prospects but both are relatively new to MMA.  They’ve looked good early in their careers and both have excellent wrestling skills.  Dollaway is a young version of Aaron Simpson but his overall game needs a lot of work.  Tom Lawlor lost to Aaron Simpson but gave him a hell of a fight.  Lawlor is also a very good wrestler.