B/R Official Rankings for April: The Top 10 Bantamweights in MMA

Since its UFC inception, the bantamweight division has revolved around Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber.

The five-year rivalry has taken on a life of its own, and UFC fans have generally accepted it with open arms.

Faber drew first blood back in March 2007 by submitting Cruz in the first round of their WEC featherweight title bout.

It marked the first and only loss of Cruz's career. Since losing to Faber, Cruz bounced back to capture the WEC bantamweight title, and eventually, UFC gold.

In one of the best fights of 2011, the bitter rivals battled it out in the main event of UFC 132, where Cruz avenged his past loss and successfully defended his UFC title for the first time.

Now, Cruz and Faber are set to square off again in a rubber match on July 7. Since both bantamweights were cast as coaches in the current season of The Ultimate Fighter, the gap between title defenses has been significantly long.

Cruz's last defense came in a unanimous decision win over Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. While fans continue to become acclimated with the bantamweight division, the influx of potential contenders remains intriguing.

Fighters like Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres, Scott Jorgensen and Brad Pickett will always vie for contention, but newcomers Renan Barao and Michael McDonald make for some interesting bantamweight clashes in the future.

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10. Bibiano Fernandes

Promotion: Dream

Record: 11-3

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Antonio Banuelos at Fight for Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: N/A

After losing the Dream featherweight title, Bibiano Fernandes has since bounced back with three straight wins in the Dream 2011 Bantamweight World Grand Prix, where he defeated Antonio Banuelos for the bantamweight title.

It was a nice win if Fernandes is only looking to earn more hardware. The cream of the crop at 135 pounds all fight in the UFC.

Fernandes may have no other choice but to eventually bring his talents to western shores.

9. Eddie Wineland

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-8-1

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Joseph Benavidez at UFC on Versus 5

Next Scheduled Fight: Scott Jorgensen at UFC on FX 3, June 8

Previous Ranking: N/A

Coming off back-to-back losses to Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez, Eddie Wineland continues to search for his first ever UFC victory.

His next outing won't be any easier.

The inaugural WEC bantamweight champion is slated to face top-10 contender Scott Jorgensen at UFC on FX 3.

8. Michael McDonald

Promotion: UFC 

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Alex Soto at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Miguel Torres at UFC 145, April 21

Previous Ranking: N/A

At only 21 years of age, Michael McDonald is an intriguing prospect at 135 pounds.

He is 3-0 in the UFC, with wins over Chris Cariaso, Alex Soto and Edwin Figueroa.

There is a tremendous upside to McDonald, but the UFC has opted to throw him into the lion's den with former WEC champion and bantamweight legend Miguel Torres.

Is McDonald ready to compete with the upper-echelon sharks of the bantamweight division?

7. Brad Pickett

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Renan Barao at UFC 138

Next Scheduled Fight: Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel TV 2, April 14

Previous Ranking: N/A

Since defeating Demetrious Johnson in April 2010, Brad Pickett's bantamweight climb has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances against quality opposition.

He was completely outclassed in his last outing against Renan Barao.

Pickett will have the opportunity to prove himself against a quality opponent and get back to his winning ways when he faces Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel 2.

6. Scott Jorgensen

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-5

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Renan Barao at UFC 143

Next Scheduled Fight: Eddie Wineland at UFC on FX 3, June 8

Previous Ranking: N/A

Despite being a perennial top-10 bantamweight contender, Scott Jorgensen still searches for that signature win to propel him into the upper-echelon ranks of the division.

He has a tough test ahead of him when he meets Eddie Wineland at UFC on FX 3, but if Jorgensen ever hopes to progress in his career, he has to find a way to overcome fighters ahead of him in the rankings.

5. Miguel Torres

Promotion: UFC

Record: 40-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Nick Pace at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Michael McDonald at UFC 145, April 21

Previous Ranking: N/A

If Miguel Torres' in-ring issues weren't enough, the former WEC bantamweight champion was recently released from the UFC after posting an inappropriate comment on Twitter.

Luckily, UFC President Dana White was forgiving and reinstated the bantamweight star after he issued a public apology.

"Funny" comments on Twitter should be the last thing on Torres' mind. He is 3-3 in his last six bouts.

4. Renan Barao

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-1 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143

Next Scheduled Fight: Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148, July 7

Previous Ranking: N/A

Renan Barao quieted any doubters in his impressive first-round submission victory over Brad Pickett and unanimous decision win over Scott Jorgensen.

If not for The Ultimate Fighter taping holding up the Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber rubber match, Barao would most likely be waiting on the sidelines for a UFC title shot.

Instead, the Brazilian is set to put his 29-fight win streak on the line at UFC 148 against Ivan Menjivar.

3. Brian Bowles

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-2

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Urijah Faber at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: N/A

It's amazing how quickly things can change in MMA.

Nearly three years ago, Bowles was on top of the world as an undefeated champion who had just knocked out legendary bantamweight Miguel Torres.

Now, Bowles is 2-2 in his last four bouts, and he is coming off a submission loss to Urijah Faber.

2. Urijah Faber

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Brian Bowles at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Dominick Cruz at UFC 148, July 7

Previous Ranking: N/A

"The California Kid," Urijah Faber, may be the most popular bantamweight in the world, but he hasn't had the best of luck in recent title bouts.

In his last four title bouts, Faber is 0-4.

He hopes he can build on the momentum from his recent submission win over former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles in his upcoming rubber match with longtime nemesis Dominick Cruz.

1. Dominick Cruz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus 6

Next Scheduled Fight: Urijah Faber at UFC 148, July 7

Previous Ranking: N/A

Out of all the current UFC champions, Dominick Cruz is quite possibly the most underrated, which is pretty amazing considering his enigmatic fighting style and world-class skills.

What will it take for Cruz to finally win over MMA fans?

A convincing win over Urijah Faber at UFC 148 would go a long way in earning Cruz the respect he already deserves.