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It's time for the first set of rankings for 2009, and we'll start with the heavyweight division. Following the eventful UFC 92 event to round out 2008, there was a major shake-up near the top of the ranks with Frank Mir making a giant leap into the number two spot after knocking off our previous number two in Antonio Nogueira. The rest of the division remains largely unchanged, however, awaiting the upcoming Affliction event and the bouts containing three of the top five fighters. So here it is, the top 10 heavyweights:
MMATorch Staff Rankings: The Heavyweights
1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Frank Mir
3. Andrei Arlovski
4. Brock Lesnar
5. Josh Barnett
6. Randy Couture
7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
8. Gabriel Gonzaga
9. Tim Sylvia
10. Fabricio Werdum
Also receiving votes: Ben Rothwell, Alistair Overeem, Cheick Kongo, Junior Dos Santos, Shane Carwin, and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.
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