UFC on Fuel 7 Results: Top 10 Featherweights in the UFC

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Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

UFC featherweight Cub Swanson added his name to the 145-pound division's ever-growing list of rising contenders with his unanimous decision victory over Dustin Poirier at Saturday night's UFC on Fuel 7.

The exciting battle between Swanson and Poirier was a perfect showcase of how talented these featherweights are. And with the recent influx of former top lightweights such as Frankie Edgar, Clay Guida and Dennis Siver, the division is as stacked as ever.

Hit the jump and check out the top 10 featherweights in the UFC.

Note: While Anthony Pettis is set to take on champ Jose Aldo on Aug. 3, he is not included in the rankings because he has not had a fight in the division yet.

10. Clay Guida

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 30-13

Recent Fight: Win over Hatsu Hioki at UFC on Fox 6

Next Fight: Chad Mendes at UFC on Fox 7

After back-to-back losses to now current lightweight champ Benson Henderson and former top contender Gray Maynard, "The Carpenter" made the successful transition to the featherweight division with his recent win over Hatsu Hioki at UFC on Fox 6.

While victorious, the win was a controversial one for Guida, who was criticized heavily for his apparent lack of work from the top position. However, should he defeat Team Alpha Male product Chad Mendes at UFC on Fox 7, there will be no denying "The Carpenter's" status among the top featherweights in MMA.

9. Eric Koch

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 13-2

Recent Fight: Loss to Ricardo Lamas at UFC on Fox 6

Next Fight: TBD

If it wasn't for a string of bad luck over the past few months, Erik Koch could have very well been at the top of this list.

The WEC import was supposed to take on Jose Aldo at UFC 149, but an injury to the champ postponed the planned bout. And if that wasn't bad enough, Koch suffered an injury himself and was forced out of their rescheduled fight at UFC 153.

Unfortunately, Koch will have to wait even longer now before receiving another title shot as his four-fight win streak was recently snapped by Ricardo Lamas, who finished him via TKO at UFC on Fox 6.

8. Dustin Poirier

Josh Holmberg-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 13-3

Recent Fight: Loss to Cub Swanson at UFC on Fuel 7

Next Fight: TBD

24-year-old submission ace Dustin Poirier had his moments Saturday night, but was unable to edge out Cub Swanson, losing a close decision at UFC on Fuel 7.

"The Diamond" was able to land a few takedowns and strikes, but surprisingly, was out-grappled on the mats, repeatedly having his back taken. Swanson threatened with submission attacks on numerous occasions and also landed some nice strikes.

Going forward, Poirier will likely take a lot away from this bout against a top-tier veteran, which should make him a better fighter. 

7. Dennis Siver

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 21-8

Recent Fight: Win over Nam Phan at UFC on Fox 5

Next Fight: TBD

German striking ace Dennis Siver has found new life at 145, having gone a perfect 2-0 in his first two outings.

Owning wins over Diego Nunes and Nam Phan, the former 155er has shown that he can hang with some of the division's more skilled veterans, so it will be interesting to see how he will fare against the elite featherweights in the UFC.

6. Cub Swanson

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 19-5

Recent Fight: Win over Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel 7

Next Fight: TBD

Cub Swanson made a statement on Saturday night with his huge win over Dustin Poirier.

The WEC vet extended his winning streak to four, adding "The Diamond" to his list of highly touted featherweight victims.

With wins over top 145ers such as Charles Oliveira, Ross Pearson and George Roop, the Greg Jackson product may be a win away from a shot at the belt.

5. Chan Sung Jung

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 13-3

Recent Fight: Win over Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel 3

Next Fight: TBD

"The Korean Zombie" has proven to be one of the most deadly featherweights in the UFC today with his current string of fantastic finishes.

Before being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Jung was on a serious tear, tapping out Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel 3 and knocking out Mark Hominick at UFC 140. And who can forget his twister submission over Leonard Garcia?

Expected to return to action later this year, "The Korean Zombie" may also be a win away from a crack at the champ.

4. Ricardo Lamas

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 13-2

Recent Fight: Win over Erik Koch at UFC on Fox 6

Next Fight: TBD

Veteran featherweight Ricardo Lamas has quickly risen through the ranks over the past few years, having gone a perfect 4-0 since joining the UFC.

"The Bully" has proven to be a deadly opponent inside the Octagon, taking out such highly touted 145ers such as Erik Koch and Cub Swanson.

The WEC veteran has been adamant about getting a shot at the title, and with his recent string of big wins, I can't say that I disagree with him.

3. Frankie Edgar

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 15-4-1

Recent Fight: Loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 156

Next Fight: TBD

Finally taking the drop down to 145, former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar went straight into the fire and unfortunately came up short against reigning featherweight king Jose Aldo.

Eating a ton of leg kicks throughout the five-round affair, Edgar just could not implement his game plan, suffering his third straight loss in the process.

Despite the recent string of defeats, "The Answer's" resume makes him a tough matchup on paper for almost anyone at 145.

2. Chad Mendes

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Record: 13-1

Recent Fight: Win over Yaotzin Meza at UFC on FX 6

Next Fight: Clay Guida at UFC on Fox 7

Team Alpha Male standout Chad Mendes retained his position near the top of the featherweight rankings after his impressive KO win over Yaotzin Meza at UFC on FX 6.

The victory was Mendes' second in a row, having previously finished Cody McKenzie with a huge punch to the body at UFC 148. The back-to-back finishes have shown that "Money" hasn't lost any of his killer instincts following his first career loss at the hands of champ Jose Aldo.

If he can get past Clay Guida at UFC on Fox 7, Mendes will be another featherweight looking for another crack at the champ.

1. Jose Aldo

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 22-1

Recent Fight: Win over Frankie Edgar at UFC 156

Next Fight: Anthony Pettis at a yet-to-be-named Aug. 3 event

Featherweight king Jose Aldo has continued his domination over the 145-pound division, most recently adding former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar to his list of victims at UFC 156.

Also owning wins over the likes of Urijah Faber, Chad Mendes, Kenny Florian and Cub Swanson, it's easy to see why the champ frequents the pound-for-pound rankings.

If he can take out lightweight phenom Anthony Pettis in August, it will cement Aldo's status as an all-time great.

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