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. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (18-4)

And we have a new number 1.  Despite the loss on his record, Shogun beat Machida.  Don’t forget that not too long ago Shogun was a phenom, after rattling off big wins against Rampage, Lil ‘Nog, Overeem and Arona the sky seemed like the limit.   His number one overall ranking is finally justified.

Next Up: Lyoto Machida, UFC 113

2. Lyoto Machida (16-0)

He’s still undefeated but Shogun exposed some holes in the Dragons game.  With that being said Machida still dominated every other opponent he’s ever faced. Machida is still an A+ fighter both on the ground because he is still very elusive.  Being beaten, so to speak, like he did might have been the best thing to ever happen to The Dragon.  I expect him to come back better then ever.

Next up: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, UFC 113

3. Rashad Evans (14-1-1)

After watching the Ultimate Fighter I have a new found respect for Evans.  It’s easy to see the effect that Greg Jackson has had over the former TUF winner.  Rashad moved down from heavyweight and went on a nice run at 205.  Much like other wrestlers Rashad had to shed the “lay and pray” label.  He did so with a highlight reel KO’s over Sean Salmon and Chuck Liddell.  Evans is athletic, super fast and has great wrestling and boxing.

Next up: Quinton Jackson, UFC 114

4. Quinton Jackson (30-7)

While we wait to see if the “A” team bombs we can finally set aside all the Hollywood talk with Rampage Jackson.  Rampage is a big strong guy with great boxing and insane power.  We haven’t seen the Rampage of old in the UFC, specifically his trademark slams, so the best might be yet to come with ‘Page.

Next up: Rashad Evans, UFC 114

5. Gegard Mousasi (27-2-1)

First we had ‘Lil Nog and now we have ‘Lil Fedor.  Yes, that’s an ambitious comparison but Gegard has all the tools to be #1 on this list.  First of all he’s only 24 years old and already been the:

• 2009 Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion
• 2008 Dream Middleweight Champion
• 2008 Dream Middleweight GP Champion
• 2006 Cage Warriors Middleweight Champion

He already holds wins over; Denis Kang, Mark Hunt, Hector Lombard, Cyborg Santos and of course he just introduced himself to the world by destroying Renato Babalu Sobral and Sokoudjou.  The sky is the limit for Mousasi.

Next Up: Muhammed Lawal, Strikeforce April On CBS

6. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3)

‘Lil Nog is a carbon copy of his brother.  Minotauro is an explosive fighter who holds wins over; Dan Henderson, Alistar Overeem and Vladimir Maytushenko.  He seemed prime to make a run at the Pride title but lost a close decision to Shogun Rua.  After Pride disbanded ‘Nog fought for Sengoku and got his first taste of America in Affliction.

Nog dominated Luis Cane, a tough opponent, in his UFC debut.  He showed his boxing, which much like his brother is very underrated, to be tremendous.  He didn’t even have to go to the ground where he is world class.

Next up: Forrest Griffin, UFC 114

7. Randy Couture (17-10)

Has age finally caught up to Captain America? It’s a fair question but think of this, despite his age Couture has proven time after time that he is in fact timeless.  Has anyone come as close to beating Lesnar as Randy did?  What about his total domination of rising star Gabriel Gonzaga? So yes, he’s 17-10 in his career but his UFC losses have been to: Josh Barnett, Ricco Rodriguez, Vitor Belfort, Chuck Liddell (2X), Brock Lesnar and Big Nog .  That’s a who’s who of champions and significantly larger fighters.

Couture looked lackluster against Vera.  It’s tough to tell if Vera is much better then people think or Randy is just done. That’s the thing with Randy though, every-time you count him out he proves you wrong.

Next up: Nothing Scheduled.

8. Forrest Griffin (17-6)

It’s hard not to love Forrest Griffin.  He’s charismatic and an everyman, besides that the UFC would not be where it was today with Forrest.  Griffin/Bonnar is the most important fight in the history of the UFC. Griffin, and that fight, single handily saved the UFC.  With that being said Griffin is still a great fighter.  He is far, far evolved from the brawler you saw earlier in his career.  While Griffin would never admit it he has become a technical fighter.  Look at how he picked apart Rampage with rangy strikes and leg kicks.  Griffin is at a crossroads in his career.

Griffin rebounded with a win at UFC 105 but I came away very unimpressed with Griffin.  His wrestling was incredibly lack luster and the Griffin that hung with Shogun and Rampage didn’t seem to show up.  Still it was a desperately needed win and should get his career back on track.

Next up: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, UFC 114

9. Jon Jones (9-1)

Anthony has written at length about Jones who is a freakishly athletic fighter.  His combo of video game-esque strikes and awesome wrestling is certainly something to marvel at.  Most importantly he’s getting better every fight and trains with the best camp, Greg Jackson’s submission fighting, in MMA.

Questions about Jones wrestling ability were dismissed after his dominating performance over Matt Hammil.  Although the fight ended in a DQ loss for Jones he rag dolled Hammil who was considered the stronger wrestler.

Next up: Brandon Vera, UFC on Versus

10. Thiago Silva (14-1)

The loss to Evans really makes you rethink Silva’s entire resume.  Against Evans, Silva couldn’t defend a take down to save his life.  Also for someone that is a BJJ black belt Evans passed his guard rather easily. He is quick, explosive and has KO power (just ask Keith Jardine) but the rest of his game seems lacking.  He’s 14-2 but his biggest win is over Keith Jardine.  At this point he’s barely holding off Brandon Vera for the final spot on this list.

Next up: Nothing scheduled.

Honorable Mention: Brandon Vera, Tito Ortiz, Luis Cane, Vladimir Matyushenko

Vera, another talented enigma, has raw skills but hasn’t been aggressiveve enough in his fights. Ortiz is back in the UFC and supposedly healthy but looked very rusty against Forrest Griffin.  He’ll be coaching TUF 11 opposite Chuck Liddell. Cane put himself on the map with wins over Jason Lambert, Sokudojou and Steve Cantwell.  A loss against ‘Lil Nog sends him down the rankings  but he should be able to build himself backup.  Matyushenko is an underrated fighter.  Recently required by the UFC he won his debut over Igor Pokrajac might serve as the 205 gatekeeper, think Chris Lytle.

Prospect Watch: Ryan Bader, Alexander Gustafsson, Phil Davis, Ricardo Romero

Bader is a wrestler cut from the Rashad Evans mold. He’s raw and it showed against Eric Schafer and Keith Jardine.  His power is legit but his boxing is a work in progress.  He’s also had issues with finishing fights.  He comes out like a world beater but then wears down. Gustafasson is a young Swedish kick boxer who was very impressive in his debut.  Phil Davis is probably the best prospect of the bunch.  He’s a great All-American wrestler and an explosive athlete.  Ricardo Romero might be the best unsigned light heavyweight in the world.  Fighting for Ring Of Combat, a UFC feeder organization he holds wins over several name fighters, including a destruction of James McSweeney.

Not Ranked: Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, Rich Frankin

Again I’ve decided against ranking people in multiple weight classes.  So as good as Anderson Silva is he’s unranked at 205.  If I was ranking him he would be 1A with Shogun.  If they ever fought the world might explode.  Silva after fighting at 205 his whole career is moving down to 185.  It isn’t clear what weight class Henderson is going to fight at but his best weight class is 185.  Chuck Liddell is obviously off the rankings after losing 4 of 5 fights.  It’s a sad and sudden fall for the “face of the franchise” but after a stint on Dancing With The Stars Liddell will be getting back in the cage.  He’ll be coaching TUF 11 opposite Tito Ortiz.  Rich Franklin is recovering from a loss as well as an injury.  It’s unclear what weight class he will be fighting in when he returns.