Written By: Barry Laminack
If you are not familiar with FightMatrix, it’s a website dedicated to ranking fighters world wide using a computerized scoring system to rank fighters. In fact, from their own website they describe it as follows, “The rankings presented are computerized and provided by the FightMatrix ranking system, which utilizes a comprehensive MMA fight database to provide objective rankings. Please note, that these rankings ONLY contain fighters who have had at least one professional fight some time in the 450 days prior to the ranking date.”
Recently it was brought to our attention that some Houston area fighters where starting to move up these rankings on a national and international level, so we wanted to take a peek and see how our guys are doing.
All told, Houston has 8 fighters ranked in the top 100 in their weight class in the United States. We expect that number to climb as Houston area fighters begin to face tougher competition in the months ahead.
Here is a breakdown of what we found:
| US Rank | World Rank | Name | Record |
| Flyweight | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 32 | Chad Robichaux | 11-0-0 |
| Bantamweight | |||
| 61 | 122 | Steve Garcia | 4-3-0 |
| Lightweight | |||
| 69 | 125 | Daniel Pineda | 12-7-0 |
| 78 | 150 | Carlo Prater | 25-10-1 |
| Welterweight | |||
| 79 | 154 | Mike Bronzoulis | 11-2-1 |
| 82 | 161 | Brian Melancon | 5-1-0 |
| Light Heavyweight | |||
| 79 | 165 | Jon Kirk | 16-7-0 |
| 119 | 250 | Jarred Taylor | 5-8-0 |
| Heavyweight | |||
| 58 | 109 | Sam Hoger | 10-4-0 |
When asked how it felt being ranked so high, Mike Bronzoulis said, “It’s awesome man. I was excited about it. Brian and I both know we can beat several guys on that list. I plan on cracking the top 20 before the year is over.”
Bronzoulis also talked about his fellow Paradigm teammate Brian Melancon being ranked as well, “I’m so proud of him. We’ve worked out for 5 years now and I know he’s going to continue to move up! In fact, I think a lot of Houston guys will be making a name for them selves in the other classes and there are some other good welterweights here in Houston who could be on this list. It’s just a matter of time before more Houston guys crack the list in all the weight classes.”
Brian Melancon was also excited about the news. “It feels good to get some recognition for the hard work I’ve been putting in. Its definitely not the highest number I want to be ranked at so I’m looking forward to moving up. I hope my next fight is a national ranked guy higher than me so I can keep moving up the ladder.”
Melancon also said that he was really proud of his teammates Bronzoulis and [Carlo] Prater for being ranked so high.
The highest ranked Houstonion on the list is Gracie Barra North Houston’s Chad Robichaux who is ranked 7th in the US among all Flyweights. A natural Bantamweight, Robo cracked the Flyweight rankings after dropping to 131 to face Humberto DeLeon at Strikeforce: Houston back in August 2010.
When asked his thoughts on the rankings Robo said, “It drives me to be number 1. I want to challenge myself by fighting the best at 135 and I’m looking forward to doing that in April.” [TCD will have more on that later]
Congratulations to all those that are ranked. We’ll keep an eye on this going forward and update you as the national rankings change.
Interesting
Carlo has been ranked as high as # 40 and will be up there again after he takes care of Travers next week on Strikeforce Challengers.
3. Shinya Aoki
4. Gilbert Melendez
6. Clay Guida
9. Kenny Florian
Real accurate system, this thing must really take head to head into account….. or not, which ever
its like the bcs. it spits out some inconsistencies like the ones you mentioned. anytime the rankings are purely computerized, thats gonna happen.
it also doesn’t take shinya aoki’s recent ko because it was a mixed rules fight, which i think is dumb cause he got ko’d in mma.
Aoki has beaten Kawajiri, Aurelio, and a no-name since that fight — has also been consistently ranked in the top 5 or so.
What has Melendez done since?
I would be curious how many fighters on that list are from the Bay area also. Congrats to all of the Houston fighters on the list and I am sure there will be more very soon
http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-rankings/mma-featherweight-rankings.asp Daniel’s #96 and Jess pulver is 4 spots above him…war 4
Jens*
Unless I’m missing something (or misunderstood), it looks like Pulver is ranked 70th in that link you posted.
96-4=70 Barry. Duh.
well, I did multiply 3×2 and come up with 8 last night on the radio
Sorry they must of moved him up after his last win… when I 1st found it he was 4 spots above the pit
it’s cool, we’re just messin’ with ya brother!
4-3 for my record? Wtf? A little more respect please, im actually 8-4, tell dem hoes get they shit straight
Sorry Steve. We have you at 8-4…but we published what they published.
You must never look at your Sherdog profile, because 4-3 is what they had you before I made some fixes.
You’ll be listed as 7-4 on our next update. I have no idea what your 8th win is.
nice piece barry, TCD brings all the best info
Shits way off. Brian and Mike should be ranked right under GSP, Schindler and Carlo should be just under Frankie Edgar, and of course MGY should be right under Anderson Silva. In all seriousness, good job guys. Way to represent. Hope to see everyone continue to move up the ladder and show the world how we do it in Houston.
At 9-1, Adam Schindler “not listed” when searched on that site…? Hmmmmmmmm.
Agree, I was very surprised not to see Schindler listed.
You didn’t see Adam because he almost got knocked out by a no name local fighter for the IXFA belt. Daniel Pineda deserves to be higher after tapping a undefeated gracie guy. Lets be honest Daniel is the only guy ready to bang on the national level.
Wrong. Houston has many guys that would hold their own on a national level, with Daniel being one of them.
Dude, seriously? Adam fought a WAR against a great up and coming fighter and Adam won. I agree about Daniel Pineda deserving to be ranked higher, he is a beast standing and on the ground. He’s got one of the best skill sets around. Saying that about Adam is just ignorant though. Adam has beat some quality fighters and deserves the ranking on here as well as being ranked nationally.
There are several Houston based fighters that are ready for the national level, not sure what fights you’ve been watching.
I agree with Mike, that last legacy card showed that Houston DEFINATELY has guys that can compete on a national level.. i feel a lot of the Houston fighters have been being overlooked, but in the meantime theyre sharpening themselves up
war ROBO… everyone is going to see him wreck shop live on TV soon!
Name someone else besides daniel that could COMPETE not survive on a national level.
Todd Moore has already fought at WEC and Dream. Andrew Craig just beat Rodrigo Pinheiro, who can also compete on the international level. Chad Robo is about to fight nationally as well. Adam Schindler and Brian Melancon could beat anybody on any given day. Besides them, there are other prospects on their way up. The list goes on and on…
In any case, your point is mute. I respect Pineda as a fighter and love watching him compete. He is indeed on a roll and I hope he does make it nationally. But if you look at his 12-7 record, what sound logical argument would you give for him being the ONLY fighter in the H to be able to compete at a national level? You really think a two-fight win streak elevates a fighter above the totality of his record and the potential of fighters in an ENTIRE city?
Feel free to cheer for your fighters guys but try not to shit on the accomplishments and the potential of the rest. Doing so only makes you seem short-sighted, and quite frankly, not very smart.
You can add guys like Mike B, Carlo Prater, and Sam Hoger to that list to name a few
Ok I think Daniel is as ready as anyone in Texas for the national scene…..he is comming into his prime and hes still young. He also one of my favorite fighters but….there are a bunch of guys with the ability to compete nationally RIGHT now and lots of guys comming up.
1. Hoger
2. schindler
3. melancon
4. lee king
5. carlo prater
6. Mike B
7. Chico
8. Ike
9. Domingo Pilarte
10 Deleon
11. Robo
12. Steve garcia
13. Jesus Rivera
14. Jeff Rexroad
15. Craig Gardener
16. Andrew Craig
Not to mention guys who will be soon…now when i say compete that doestn’ mean win the UFC title at that weight it means be competitive in a back and forth fight with the average representative in their weight classes.
@Drew..this list is the most accurate list of fighters i belive can bang right now with any mma fighter on any giving day..only forgot to mention…Corey the cowboy kid (ONCE TURN PRO)..and Derrick the blac beast…
Houston fighter need to branch out to New Mexico were Greg Jackson has Pro MMA Fights once a month called jacksons MMA series… Great Fighters and Greater oppurtunites to test skills against Season MMA fighters…
yeah for sure…i agree..i didn’t mean to leave derrick off there cause hes already competing natinally. hes fought all over. i think hes fought in 4 states….and hes fought top guys too. Guys like shawn jordan and nick mitchell and undefeated ryan martinez. Cory is gonna be a serious beast. hes got it. i knew that was gonna happen a long time ago though lol
Carlo is now # 48 US and # 86 World now
Adam is actually on there as well, all-be-it too low, imo. they have him as #137 US and 268 world at 155lbs.
if you search in the US only you can see it.
and as for no one else being ready for competition at the national level, you are sadly mistaken my friend. there are a dozen fighters here that could compete right now. the Houston scene is quickly becoming one of the best. The level of competition here is on par with with any other mma scene in the country. Many other places have fighters that pad records by fighting cans. For the most part in houston, that doesnt happen. I myself and many other fighters around houston have gone and trained with top level guys, and i promise you that the only difference between us and them is the opportunity.
This year you will see that. We belong and we will show it. We just need to get fights with those guys.
Good post Brian. You are a savage. Can’t wait to see what this year brings. To me it seems that the Houston scene is one where there is an overabundance of talant that is undiscovered. Many guy who are getting ready to break onto that next level….and its cool cause we are flying low under the radar. Keep it up bro.