Updated Super Middleweight Rankings 10/14/2013

Only one change since the last super middleweight rankings update. Previous number two ranked Joseph Valtellini jumps tot he number one spot after his huge win over Karim Ghajii at Glory 11. Valtellini has now won four consecutive fights, three of them under Glory. All three of his wins in Glory have come by (T)KO. 

Former number one Gregory Choplin drops to the number two spot in the rankings after going 1-1 in the last year.

1. Joseph Valtellini (10-1) (@BazookaJoeV)

Since suffering the first loss of his career over a year ago to Gregory Choplin, Valtellini has been on a tear. Now on a four fight win streak with his most recent victory being a very impressive stoppage of Karim Ghajji at Glory 11 it is safe to say that “Bazooka Joe” has arrived. While a re-match with Choplin would be nice it seems like Valtellini has his eyes set on currently Glory #1 Nieky Holzken. Rumors are that Valtellini will be participating in the Glory 4-man tournament in Japan at the end of the year, which could lead to the match up with Holzken.

2. Gregory Choplin (56-11)

Since the last update the Miami based Choplin has gone 1-1 with his loss coming at the hands of Yodsanklai Fairtex by (T)KO at Lion Fight 8. What is next for Choplin is currently unknown. Recently a scheduled bout in France against Duochonlek fell through for this past September.

3. Francois Ambang (9-3)

After winning the Road to Glory tournament Ambang was chopped down by Joseph Valtellini leg kicks in his official Glory debut. Despite the setback, Ambang is a dangerous fighter with KO power. His next fight is currently unknown, but it shouldn’t be long before we see this heavy hitter back in the ring.

4. Brett Hlavacek (7-1) (@BrettXThreat)

Hlavacek rebounded from his first career loss in the Road to Glory tournament with a unanimous decision win over Paul Marfort at Glory 9. Hlavacek is one of the east coast’s top up and coming fighters. It should be interesting to see who he fights next, the right fight could really put Hlavacek on the map for fans not familiar with the east coast striking scene.

5. Anthony Nieves (7-3)

Nieves has suffered back to back losses for the first time in his career. He lost a decision to Steve Hall at Bangkok Fight Night GP this past September and lost another decision to Marcus Fisher in the quarterfinals of the Road to Glory USA welterweight tournament this past March. Nieves was set to re-match Hall at Bangkok Fight Night: All Stars, but the event was cancelled. When he will step in the ring again is unknown.

Rankings qualification - Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts are all taken into consideration for the rankings. These rankings are not only based on Muay Thai Fights as many fighters compete in both full rules Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts. Fighters are not to be inactive for any period longer than 12 months or they will be dropped from the rankings unless a fight is schedule within a month from the date they become ineligible. Fighters must be born in North America or permanently reside in North America and be active in the North American fight circuit are eligible for the rankings.   

North American Super Middleweight Rankings 4/30/2013

Quite a few changes since the original super middleweight rankings were published. With Gregory Choplin eligible for the rankings now he jumps into the number one spot. Joseph Valtellini drops to the number two spot after his loss to Choplin and Francois Ambang enters the rankings in the number three spot after winning the Road to Glory USA tournament. Dorian Price falls off the rankings due to inactivity. With Choplin and Ambang’s additions, former number five Cyrus Washington falls out of the rankings as Anthony Nieves slides down into the number five spot.

1. Gregory Choplin (55-10)

Now permanently residing in the United States, Choplin has fought consistently in America and Canada in the last few years. After winning four consecutive fights including wins over Chris Ngimbi, Chaz Mulkey, and Joseph Valtellini, Choplin lost to Yodsanklai Fairtex by knockout at Lion Fight 8. Regardless of the loss to Yodsanklai, Choplin remains one of the top fighters based out of the United States and North America. He most recently defeated Gil Silva by decision at Le Choc des Légendes 2013 in France, and is currently set to fight Luis Reis at Championnat Du Monde on May 4th.

2. Joseph Valtellini (8-1) (@BazookaJoeV)

After suffering his first career loss at the hands of Gregory Choplin by decision at Lion Fight 7 in October of 2012, Valtellini bounced back with a one sided drumming of Mehdi Baghdad at Muay Thai in America: In Honor of the King in December. Valtellini was then signed by Glory and made his debut for the promotion at Glory 6 in Turkey with an impressive (T)KO victory over Kickboxing veteran Murat Direkci. Valtellini is slated to return to action in June at Glory 9 in New York when he takes on Road to Glory USA welterweight tournament winner Francois Ambang.

3. Francois Ambang (9-2)

Ambang recently won the Road to Glory USA welterweight tournament by scoring two (T)KO victories and one decision in the process. He defeated the like of Marcus Fisher and Brett Hlavacek to win the tournament, and is now slated to face Joseph Valtellini in June at Glory 9 in New York. Ambang packs power in his punches and it should be interesting to see him matched up with another heavy hitter like Valtellini.

4. Brett Hlavacek (6-1) (@BrettXThreat)

Hlavacek was seen by many as the favorite to win the Road to Glory USA tournament but came up short in the finals against Francois Ambang. Despite the loss Glory was impressed and he is now set to fight at Glory 9 in New York this June. Hlavacek will be taking on Florida’s Paul Malfort. Fans should be interested to see how Hlavacek rebounds from his first career loss.

5. Anthony Nieves (7-3)

Nieves has suffered back to back losses for the first time in his career. He lost a decision to Steve Hall at Bangkok Fight Night GP this past September and lost another decision to Marcus Fisher in the quarterfinals of the Road to Glory USA welterweight tournament this past March. When Nieves will step back in the ring is currently unknown. 

 
Rankings qualification - Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts are all taken into consideration for the rankings. These rankings are not only based on Muay Thai Fights as many fighters compete in both full rules Muay Thai and Kickboxing bouts. Fighters are not to be inactive for any period longer than 12 months or they will be dropped from the rankings unless a fight is schedule within a month from the date they become ineligible. Fighters must be born in North America or permanently reside in North America and are active in the North American fight circuit are eligible for the rankings. 

North American Super Middleweight Rankings 8/3/2012

The first super middleweight rankings are long over due. The division has seen a lot of changes in the last year and currently none of these top five has fights scheduled. Hopefully that changes in the future.

1. Joseph Valtellini (6-0)

Valtellini hasn’t fought since March first round knockout of former WBC Muay Thai National Champion Shawn Yarborough under the Friday Night Fights banner. Valtellini has finished all six of his professional fights by (T)KO. Fans might think he is simply known for his power, but Valtellini has show he has superb technique to accompany is power. When Valtellini will be in action again is currently unknown.