These are the Light Heavyweight VALOR Amateur rankings (186-206 LBS) as of October 2015. 

 

 

1.  Doug Williams (APEX LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION)

Association: Team Oxendine

Height: 6'4”

City: Johnson City, Tennessee

Record: 8-2, 2 NC

Most Recent Fight: def. Lance Abbott, Un. Dec., July 2015, APEX Fights 7

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Since returning to action, Team Oxendine's Doug Williams has been unstopable picking up multiple wins. In May, he won the APEX Light Heavyweight Championship and defended his title for the first time in July. Williams has showed outstanding knees and against Abbott, showed a very solid wrestling game. Williams will likely be looking to go pro later this year or early next. 

 

 

2.  Gage Stanley

Association: Absolute Jiu-Jitsu

Height: 6'4”

City: Bristol, Tennessee

Record: 12-0

Most Recent Fight: def. C.J. Burleson, Split Dec., June 2015, TOTC 13

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  May be the one and only time you see Stanley in the rankings as he is rumored to be going pro in his next fight.  Gage has one of the best records on the entire amateur VALOR Fights roster, but only one lone fight in the promotion. Stanley is coming off of a Fight of the Year battle that will likely keep him out of action until the end of 2015. 

 

 

3.  Tyrone Jackson (TENNESSEE STATE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION)

Association: D-Evil

Height: 6'1"

City: Elizabethton, Tennessee

Record: 9-5

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Andre Hall, Rd. 1 Sub (RNC), July 2015, USFFC 23

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  One of the heaviest hitters on the VALOR Fights roster, Tyrone Jackson defeated Shane Wicks to become the State 205 Champion. Recently, Jackson faced North Carolina standout Andre Hall and lost by a quick submission. Whether Jackson takes one final amateur fight or goes pro has yet to be determined. 

 

 

4.  Shane Wicks

Association: Stryker

Height: 6'1”

City: Richlands, Virginia

Record: 4-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Tyrone Jackson, Rd.1 TKO, March 2015, APEX Fights 5

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Began career 4-0 before picking up his first loss in his last outing against the much more experienced Tyrone Jackson in a Tennessee State Title bout.  Finished all but one of his opponents before meeting Jackson.  If he can get back to those winning ways he should easily move up from the #4 spot.

 

 

5. Hank Peppers

Association: Agoge Combatitives

Height: 6'3"

City: Lafayette, Georgia

Record: 2-0

Most Recent Fight: def. James Carroll, Rd. 1 Sub (Guillotine), July 2015, VALOR 24

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: A name to watch at light heavyweight is Hank Peppers out of Georgia. Peppers is only 2-0, but has been asking for a big name opponent and will likely get one in October close to home in Chattanooga. With a solid frame at 205 and a large fan base, expect Peppers to climb up the rankings for the remainder of 2015. 

 

 

6. Phillip McGlothlin

Association: Team Execution

Height: 6'3"

City: Raven, Virginia

Record: 7-5

Most Recent Fight: def. Aaron Pigford, Rd. 1, TKO, May 2014, 3FC 21

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: Should be slightly higher in the rankings, but injuries have delayed his return to the cage. Nonetheless, the former 3FC Light Heavyweight Champion was on a roll before an ankle injury caused him to take a step back. Once he returns though, a quick title shot or possibly even a professional debut would make since for the hard hitting McGlothlin. 

 

 

7.  Troy Rutledge

Association: Stryker

Height: 6'0”

City: Bristol, Virginia

Record: 3-4

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Doug Williams, Split Dec., May 2015, APEX Fights 6

Next Fight: vs. Charles Philpot (November 14th - Kingsport, TN)

Analysis:  Is 1-3 in his last five fights with one no contest.  Lost in his last outing to Doug Williams in a title fight for the APEX Lightheavweight championship.  Needs to get back in the win column to start a climb up the rankings and to stop a fall lower in them.

 

 

8. Brock Walker

Association: Bushido MMA

Height: 5'9"

City: Kingsport, Tennessee

Record: 4-5

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Chander Cole, Rd. 2 TKO (Punches), July 2015, USFFC 23

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis: Very up and down amateur career so far for Brock Walker. Had a solid run at 205 before heading back up to heavyweight and taking home a loss to Virginia standout Chandler Cole. Walker is best at 205 and with Bushido now behind him, Walker could make a run at a 205 title shot later this year. 

 

 

9.  Donnie Mashburn

Association: KMAA

Height: 6'0”

City: Knoxville, Tennessee

Record: 5-1

Most Recent Fight:  def. Matt Spurlock, Rd.1 Sub (RNC), November 2014, VALOR 17

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Has one of the better records you will see in the amateur division but has been very inactive over the last few years.  He has only fought one time since 2013 and hasn't fought in the last 6 months.  Started his career off going 4-0 before picking up his first loss in 2013.  If he remains active and can get back on a streak like the one he was one when he began his career, he can easily move up the rankings.

 

 

10.  Cody Stephens

Association: Fightanium

Height: 6'2”

City: Oneida, Tennessee

Record: 1-0

Most Recent Fight: def. Tyler Carter, Rd. 2, Sub (Choke), April 2015, VALOR 22

Next Fight: TBA

Analysis:  Made his amateur debut in April and did so with a second round submission victory against a tough opponent. With one MMA win and a kickboxing victory before that, although still green, could make a run with another win or two. 

 

 

*** To be eligible for the VALOR X Rankings, you must have been active over the last 600 days (includes accepting a fight), fought for a VALOR promotion or once associated, and made the said weight class official weight at least once (includes kickboxing). Rankings are submitted by a team of officials, writers, and professional fighters. ***