I've heard a lot of ramblings about the current heavyweight rankings on many of the major sites. I normally don't delve in rankings too much, but it's hard not to use those rankings as a gauge to tell us how matchups may come about in the divisional matchups. Excluding the ridiculous marketing ploys that Zuffa tries to do with having TUF alumni or some other lower-tiered fighter getting a title shot, the top guys normally fight each other. The most controversial rankings have been the welterweight and heavyweight rankings for the pure fact that Matt Serra got a dream title shot and miraculously won, and Couture, Fedor, Sylvia, and Nogueira are all in the top echelon of the heavyweights, but the top 3 have intertwining factors. We're going to take a closer look at the heavyweight picture, and hopefully I can clear up a few key aspects as to why I believe Fedor will retain his #1 status until a dramatic outcome to some upcoming fights occurs.

Fedor still #1?

The dreaded question that upsets the UFC and PRIDE fanboys. One side says yes and another side says no. If we use the concensus rankings around the industry, I think we can use these rankings for our discussion:

1. Fedor Emelianenko
2. Randy Couture
3. Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira
4. Tim Sylvia

The situation after the defeat of Gabriel Gonzaga in which Randy Couture was once again a small underdog was the fight that really caused some uproar. Fedor was still running the contest to see who could give in to his demands first and still inactive. Couture had two impressive victories in fights that he was supposed to lose according to the oddsmakers. So why isn't he #1? In my opinion, the best gauge would be a fight with Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira. Obviously, beating the #3 ranked heavyweight in the world would propel your stock, but it also gives Couture 3 big wins over top 5 heavyweights in the division, something Fedor hasn't done in quite some time. With Fedor's inactivity and the possibility of him fighting guys who aren't even in the top 10, or in the top 10, but at the back of the pack, you could make an argument for Fedor dropping to #2.

Here's where it gets confusing and most people completely ignore these facts and sound completely ridiculous. Couture is now inactive. Sure, he hasn't stated whether he would be walking away or waiting out his contract and probably going into a legal battle. He won't move from the #2 spot without fighting though. With a Sylvia vs. Nogueira matchup in the works if we don't see Couture accept a matchup with Nogueira, Sylvia is in prime position to move up in the rankings and possibly overcoming Fedor with another key win in the top 5. The problem: Minotauro.

Why is Fedor still #1? For the simple fact that Nogueira has yet to fight a legitimate top 5 contender in the UFC. He's the gauge as to where Fedor will go in the rankings. The key piece. If Nogueira somehow submits Sylvia in their potential matchup and beats Sylvia, there is no possible way he can move ahead to a #1 spot. Why? Nogueira was completely destroyed by Fedor Emelianenko is 2 fights with the champion, and in another matchup, was being completed destroyed until the accidental headbutt no-contested the fight. In Nogueira's last matchup, he was much better, but was still on the losing end. Either way, if Nogueira captures the title, Fedor will remain #1. It's tough to put someone ahead of a guy who completely dominated you.

Sylvia has a great shot at being projected to the #1 spot for the mere fact that he has not fought Fedor, but could dominate Nogueira and prove his worth. Couture could also man up and take on Nogueira as well and do the same thing in the rankings. The next time you want to argue the heavyweight rankings, think about these situations and the historical aspects of the Nogueira vs. Fedor. It weighs heavy on where both fighters go. The X-factor is Tim Sylvia, unless Couture decides to fight out his contract.