September Rankings: Middleweight Division

After yesterday's craziness, I'm almost fearful of posting these, but here we go...

Like the Heavyweight division, it's been a quiet summer in the MW rankings, although there was a bit of movement in the top 10 as a pair of upset loses drop Artur Kyshenko down to #6, while Hinata makes his way up to #9. 

Many of the top names will be taking part in the 2nd portion of the MAX Final 16 on October 3.  That card will include #1 Giorgio Petrosyan, #6 Kyshenko, #12 Gago Drago, #20 Mike Zambidis, #22 Chahid Oulad El Hadj, #24 Su Hwan Lee, and #25 Mootje Khamal.  Winners on October 3 will move on to the MAX Finals on November 8, where they will be joined by #4 Albert Kraus, #8 Yoshihiro Sato, and #10 Yuichiro Nagashima, who have already qualified.  That's a decent line-up for sure, but it's not the clear top fighters that we're seeing in the Heavyweight Grand Prix, as 5 of the top 10 are not in the MAX GP this year.  Among those left out: #3 Buakaw Por. Pramuk, who is currently M.I.A. and has had a pretty inactive year.  As a whole, it's hard to not feel some disappointment in this year's MAX GP.

Two of those top 10 fighters left out of the GP will meet each other on September 18 as #2 Andy Souwer faces #9 Hinata for Shootboxing.  That's a great fight, but the fact that it has cost both men a spot in the GP leaves something of a bitter taste.

Also from the top 10, #5 Nieky Holzken will face L'houcine Aussi Ouzgni for It's Showtime on September 12.  Aussi typically fights at 77kg, and Holzken is very big for the 72kg weight class, so I imagine this will be above the 72kg limit.  This could be a really fantastic fight that is getting a bit lost in the shuffle, but is one of this fall's fights I am most looking forward to.  Holzken will also be in action for United Glory on October 16 against Sahin Yakut.

That Sept 12 card will also include #14 Khem Sitsongpeenong v. Rachid Belaini, #12 Gago Drago v. Mohammed Medhar, and #17 Leroy Kaestner v. Youness el Mhassani.  It's Showtime also has a card on December 18 including #25 Mootje Khamal v. Mosab Amrani.

Finally, in a much anticipated rematch, on October 17 #19 John Wayne Parr will face Yodsaenklai Fairtex.  Yod is on a bit of a downward slide this year - this will be a great test of where he stands.

We acknowledge that all rankings are inherently subjective, however we have set the following criteria to help determine rankings:

These rankings are meant to represent fighters throughout kickboxing, not only in K-1.

Rankings are based on recent win/loss records in the ring. 

Rankings are divided into two weight classes - Heavyweight, for those fights at 85 kg and up, and Middleweight, for fights at either 70 or 72 kg.