One goal that we have at MMA For Real is to establish some type of ranking system for fighters regionally, both professional and amateur. The MMA scene in this region continues to grow and such a system could have some value for fans, fighters and matchmakers alike. This list represents fighters from this area that actively compete close to home and those that are fighting outside of this region. There will inevitably be fighters that are currently between the amateur and professional ranks that are not yet represented within these rankings. There will also be fighters that are very talented but haven't been active enough recently to reflect in the list. We will highlight at least a few fighters in each weight class. We realize that compiling a ranking like this is very subjective so we have attempted to talk with several managers, fighters and other folks from around the Carolinas. We'd like to hear feedback from others and would like the continued help of the MMA community across the region to help improve the rankings and make them as accurate as possible. We expect to update these rankings once per month due to the frequency that a lot of these fighters schedule fights. We'll be considering fighter activity going forward. Barring some sort of noteworthy exception, fighters need to have competed at least once in the past 12 months to be considered for the rankings. An exception will be made for fighters that have had a delay due to service overseas. We will allow inactivity for up to 15 months in those select cases.
Check out the rankings after the jump!
Professional Rankings
(Heavyweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponent's Win % |
| 1. Keith "Bad Newz" Bell | 2-1 | NC | 31 | 60.0% |
| 2. John Richard | 3-1 | SC | 29 | 46.2% |
| 3. Joshua Lening | 2-3 | NC | 28 | 78.3% |
*Also take note of: Steven Banks (6-6) SC; Jeremy Holm (1-1) NC
(Light Heavyweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Rodney "Sho Nuff The Master" Wallace | 9-3 | NC | 28 | 68.6% |
| 2. Lew "The Titan" Polley | 10-4 | NC | 29 | 51.9% |
| 3. Tomar "T-Bo" Washington | 5-0 | SC | 32 | 31.4% |
*Also take note of: Kelly Anundson (2-0) SC
(Middleweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Nissen Osterneck | 9-3 | SC | 30 | 60.6% |
| 2. Roger "The Leprechaun" Carroll | 10-5 | NC | 28 | 64.2% |
| 3. Josh Eagans | 5-1 | SC | 21 | 57.6% |
*Also take note of: Derek Brunson (4-0) NC
(Welterweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Jake Whitfield | 5-1 | NC | 25 | 50.0% |
| 2. Will Estes | 3-0 | NC | 25 | 43.8% |
| 3. Derrick Kennington | 5-2 | SC | 27 | 52.4% |
*Also take note of: Stephen Thompson (3-0) SC; Dustin Chovanic (6-2) NC; Johnny Buck (7-6) NC; Frank Wazkut (2-0) SC
(Lightweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Jason Palacios | 9-6 | NC | 26 | 60.0% |
| 2. Jon Owens | 8-2 | NC | 30 | 50.0% |
| 3. Jordan Rinaldi | 3-0 | NC | 23 | 40.9% |
*Also take note of: Chris Clodfelter (9-6) NC; Jacob Allman (2-0) NC; Joseph Carroll (3-6) NC; Sylvain Bynum (3-0) NC; Jason Hicks (2-0) SC
**Note: Most observers and we at MMA For Real acknowledge that NC native Spencer Fisher is clearly deserving of the top spot in the lightweight division. Given that he is currently fully engaged in the work that he is doing at his gym in Illinois, for the purposes of this compilation we have decided to focus on fighters that currently have direct connection to the regional scene currently.
(Featherweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. "The Wild Card" Jarrod Card | 13-4-1 | NC | 31 | 57.3% |
| 2. Jim Carey | 4-1 | NC | 34 | 47.8% |
| 3. Byron Bloodworth | 4-1 | NC | 27 | 50.0% |
*Also take note of: Bill Metts (2-0) NC; Jerrod Sanders (1-0) NC; Justin Dalton (6-3) NC
(Bantamweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Brandon Garner | 8-1-1 | NC | 29 | 51.3% |
| 2. Preston "Butch" Marks | 4-3 | NC | 27 | 70.5% |
| 3. Tim Goodwin | 5-2 | SC | 27 | 58.3% |
Amateur Rankings
(Heavyweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Chris Sutton | 4-0 | NC | 22 | 44.4% |
| 2. Marlone Smith | 8-2 | NC | 33 | 42.2% |
| 3. Grant Austin | 4-1 | NC | 37 | 20.0% |
*Also take note of: Walter Smith (1-0) NC; Josh Smith (3-2) NC
(Light Heavyweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Ricky "The Sniper" Rainey | 4-0 | NC | 27 | 42.9% |
| 2. Brandon Beach | 3-1 | NC | 25 | 58.3% |
| 3. Daniel Skipper | 4-0 | NC | 28 | 40.0% |
*Also take note of: Tre Moss (2-0) SC; Zachary Klouse (6-3) NC
(Middleweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Adam "Ad Bad" Dehart | 12-5 | NC | 22 | 64.1% |
| 2. Darrin Billock | 5-2 | NC | 28 | 42.4% |
| 3. Chris Crawford | 6-3 | NC | 26 | 52.3% |
*Also take note of: Andre Adams (4-0) NC; Jeremy Perdue (3-0) NC; Tony Scarlett (4-2) NC; Igor Tatarinov (3-0) NC; Samuel Vanderslice (3-0) NC; Jeff Hunt (2-0) NC
(Welterweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Blaine Thomas | 12-5 | NC | 21 | 57.6% |
| 2. Josh Leonard | 6-1 | NC | 27 | 38.7% |
| 3. Micah Lail | 9-5 | NC | 26 | 62.0% |
*Also take note of: Colby Watson (5-1) NC; Joseph Corneroli (5-2) SC; Vincent Alberico (3-0) NC; Mike Corvino (4-1) SC; Shawn Dillon (2-0) NC; Robert Kirkpatrick (3-0) NC
(Lightweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. David "Colt 45" Howell | 7-0 | NC | 21 | 58.5% |
| 2. D'Juan Owens | 10-5 | NC | 25 | 65.7% |
| 3. Chris Smith | 6-3 | NC | 24 | 59.6% |
*Also take note of: Jeff Loken (5-1) NC; Jason Lineberger (4-3) NC; Harley Ferris (3-0) NC; Amos Collins (6-2) SC; George Hickman (2-0) NC; Robert Shanor (5-2) NC; Cory Ellison (3-0) SC
(Featherweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Casey "Full Speed" Johnson | 9-1 | NC | 22 | 51.1% |
| 2. Nate "The Bruiser" Davis | 5-3 | NC | 25 | 65.9% |
| 3. Christian Brunetti | 4-0 | NC | 26 | 46.2% |
*Also take note of: J.J. Brantley (4-0) NC; Mike Powell (4-1) NC; Carlos Vivas (4-0) SC; Chris Burns (4-1)
(Bantamweight)
| Name | Record | State | Age | Opponents Win % |
| 1. Matt "Spiderman" Tran | 7-0 | NC | 24 | 56.8% |
| 2. Varon Webb | 5-2-1 | NC | 26 | 45.5% |
| 3. Keith Hulin | 5-2 | NC | 21 | 50.0% |
*Also take note of: Solon Staley (5-2) SC; Me'Shack Adams (3-0) NC; Jesus Ortega (3-1-1) NC; Matt Coakley (5-3) NC; Justin Blanchard (3-1) NC
Special thanks goes out to all the managers and fight promoters that helped with their suggestions and information. Again, we look forward to hearing YOUR opinions. Rankings are extremely SUBJECTIVE so nobody will ever get it 100% right, but we aim to do so. Now, for you managers and fight promoters: We will depend heavily on you to keep us updated on when your guys are fighting so we can keep our stats current. That way these rankings can be as accurate as possible. Ultimately, we hope these rankings will shed light on some of the best available talent in the Carolinas while also assisting promotions in putting on fights that the fans want to see. You may ask how you can do that. It's pretty simple and some fighters and managers have already done this. Simply click here and officially join the community here at www.mmaforreal.com and create your username to join in the discussion/debates we have, to post when you'll be fighting next, to post your own video blogs leading up to fights, and whatever else you think will add to the site.
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