Featherweight 3-2-09

Rank

Fighter

1.

Mike Brown

A helpful tip to all of the WEC’s featherweights – do not, under any circumstances, get caught by Mike Brown’s right hand. Brownie’s cast-iron power punches have been the beginning of the end for Urijah Faber and Leonard Garcia in back-to-back title fights, both in the first half of the first round. Carrying a nine-fight win streak, a championship belt, and fearsome momentum, the American Top Team fight-finisher is looking at a rematch with the California Kid sometime this summer. You sure you don’t need another tune-up match, Urijah?

2.

Urijah Faber

 

3.

Wagnney Fabiano

 

4.

Norifumi Yamamoto

Gone from the top-three due to 14 months of inactivity, “Kid” will hopefully return to action in DREAM’s featherweight grand prix; he’s been offered a bye to the second round. It would be an incredible opportunity to prove himself once again, as the tournament could pit the unbeatable K-1 Hero’s star against such notable fighters as Yoshiro Maeda, Hiroyuki Takaya, and #5-ranked Masakazu Imanari.

5.

Masakazu Imanari

 

6.

Jose Aldo

The dude’s a killer, plain and simple. Since arriving in the WEC, “Junior” has racked up four straight T/KO victories, and has an entertaining fan-friendly personality to match his explosive striking. Once Brown and Faber sort out their rematch, Aldo deserves be the next in line to battle for the 145-pound title.

7.

Hatsu Hioki

 

8.

L.C. Davis

 

9.

Takeshi Inoue

 

10.

Rafael Assuncao

 

See previous rankings (published January 26, 2009)