First point. Your right and I'm going to use an analogy that a "#1 Div 3 wrestler" is just as good as the "#1 Div 1 wrestler" No way are they equal as the talent is different. BUT The world of MMA is different due to the many factors eg. residency, background, ect.
As far as the list you posted, Yes he is. Why? He’s taken a loss to two huge guys @ the time by decision. That’s a big feat in MMA to go the distance with the likes of Nog, Arv.
Vera was great opponent back in the day but now it seems time has caught him. I can only argue, what will be will be is when the fight happens & we will see what kind of fighter Werdum has matured into. Bigfoot isn't so much a can himself.
What sucks for Fedor is this fight is a double edge sword that that cuts him due to the inexperienced "couch" MMA fans.
If you want to use those decisions as merit, Fedor demolished Arvloski, and has beaten Nog. Both Werdum lost to. Decision or not...he lost.
He also lost to Dos Santos, who would make a great, meaningful match-up for Fedor.
I personally don't think MMA math really adds up, but for the sake of discussion we can use it.
You say that the "double-edge sword" situation sucks for Fedor, but he is the one who chose this situation. It's nobody's fault that Fedor is avoiding the fights that the majority of MMA fans want to see.
You can not honestly tell me that the majority of MMA fans really care to see him fight Werdum. We will watch because it is Fedor, but he is expected to win. It is by no means a compelling match-up. Whomever thinks it is, obviously knows nothing about MMA.