The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale Results: Ranking the Top 10 UFC Lightweights

With the Ultimate FIghter 13 Finale now finished, the landscape of the lightweight division has changed dramatically.

Grinding his way to a decision win, Clay Guida halted the ascent of former WEC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Guida took down "Showtime" numerous times and kept a seemingly dominant position for all three rounds, leading to a unanimous decision victory.

"The Carpenter" is now another win closer to a shot at the title and has risen through the ranks of the UFC's lightweights.  Here's how last night's contestants stack up against the top 10 lightweights in the UFC.

10. Gleison Tibau

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC fighter Gleison Tibau (top) battles with UFC fighter Josh Neer during their Lightweight 'Swing' bout at UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopalof

Gleison Tibau, a five-year veteran of the UFC, has broken into the promotion's top lightweights after an impressive display against Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 130.

Tibau was in control throughout the fight and ended up submitting Oliveira with a rear naked choke in the second round, earning Tibau—a blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—his first ever Submission of the Night honors.

Previously, he won a split decision victory that effectively retired Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 128.

Tibau is currently on a two-fight win-streak and is now 9-5 in the UFC. His losses have come to some of the division's elite, including Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard. 

If Tibau can stay consistent and earn wins over a few bigger names, than expect the strong Brazilian to leapfrog some of the fighters on the list.

9. George Sotiropoulos

Mark Nolan/Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: George Sotiropoulos spas during an Open Workout ahead of UFC Sydney 127 at Star City on February 22, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Sotiropoulos was on an eight-fight win-streak before he faced German striker Dennis Siver. Outmatched on his feet, the Eddie Bravo product was unable to impose his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu skills and lost via unanimous decision.

Prior to this defeat, the Australian had not lost a fight since a disqualification loss to Shinya Aoki. Many analysts saw Sotiropoulos entering the title picture until Siver stopped him.

Look for him to bounce back against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 132.

8. Dennis Siver

Mark Nolan/Getty Images

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 22: Denis Siver does some glove work during an Open Workout ahead of UFC Sydney 127 at Star City on February 22, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Of all the lightweights in the UFC, I believe Siver is the most underrated.

Siver possesses world-class kick-boxing skills and a respectable submission game. He has won seven of his last eight fights, including an impressive decision win over George Sotiropoulos and a Submission of the Night victory over Andre Winner.

Matt Wiman will be his next opponent at UFC 132—a real test to see if Siver is ready to take the next step into the elite of the division. 

7. Ben Henderson

Former WEC Ligtweight champion Ben Henderson made his UFC debut at UFC 129 against Mark Bocek. 

Although he was taken down a few times and threatened with submission attempts, Henderson outworked his opponent and dominated the striking, frustrating Bocek who was forced to pull guard and tried to sweep "Smooth".

With only one loss under the Zuffa banner—the famed back and forth battle with Anthony Pettis—Henderson is 7-1 in the organization.  He is set to face top contender Jim Miller in August and will look to showcase his athleticism and speed in order to halt Miller's winning ways and add his own name to the title picture.

6. Melvin Guillard

Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 15: UFC fighter Melvin Guillard arrives at UFC, Famous Stars and Straps and New Era's 'The Magic Party' at XS the nightclub on February 15, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

Guillard, one of the most promising fighters in the division, has battled personal demons that curtailed his career for a while.

Now with a new found focus on fighting, Guillard has won each of his last four fights since a submission loss to Nate Diaz in 2009.

His latest win came in an impressive fashion, as he quickly finished rising star Evan Dunham in the first round back in January.  This bout earned Guillard his second Knockout of the Night honors.

At UFC 132, Guillard looks to extend his winning streak to five in a match-up against former WEC star Shane Roller. 

5. Anthony Pettis

The highly-touted 24-year old fighter showed his weakness to wrestling last night against the relentless Clay Guida.

Pettis was smothered from the top position in each of the three rounds, and in effect, was unable to showcase his amazing striking skills due to the five takedowns landed by Guida.

To Pettis' credit, he never let Guida get comfortable, constantly throwing submission attempts and strikes from his back.  He even threw in a few flashy kicks during the short time the match was on the feet.

If the last WEC Lightweight champion wants to make inroads into the top of the division, he will have to work heavily on his takedown defense and wrestling skills, especially when the current champion and top contender are elite wrestlers.

4. Clay Guida

Guida came out and impressed a lot of people last night en route to a decision win over Anthony Pettis.

The Greg Jackson product showed why the division should fear his next-level cardio and his beastly wrestling, as he constantly pressured Pettis with takedowns and top control.

Coming off back-to-back losses to Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez in 2009, Guida seemed to be on the downside of his career.  But something clicked in "the Carpenter's" head, leading to a resurgence for Guida, who has now won four fights in a row.

In propelling himself to the four spot in the division, Guida has definitely entered title talks right behind a surging Jim Miller, who Dana White has stated is in front of him in the title picture.  

3. Jim Miller

The 20-2 Jiu-Jitsu ace has been on a roll ever since losing to top contender Gray Maynard in 2009.

Jim Miller has rolled over his last seven opponents with relative ease and will most likely receive a title shot if he can get past Ben Henderson in August.

Coming off back-to-back finishes, Miller submitted the crafty Brazilian grappler Charles Oliveira and knocked out the hard-hitting Kamal Shalorus.

Having succumbed to decision losses to both the current champion and top contender, Miller will be eager to avenge either loss regardless of who wins the Edgar-Maynard III rematch. 

2. Gray Maynard

An injury forced the undefeated top contender from facing Frankie Edgar in their third match at UFC 130.

A superb wrestler and powerful puncher, Maynard almost took the title in January, knocking down the champion numerous times in the first round before Edgar bounced back later in the fight.

Maynard is 10-0-1 (1) and has defeated three of the top 10 fighters in the division. He will look to take the belt once both fighters are healthy and ready to go.

1. Frankie Edgar

Michael Cohen/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 13: Frankie Edgar, UFC lightweight champion, speaks during a press conference to announce commitment to bring UFC to Madison Square Garden and New York State at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by

The current UFC Lightweight champion also suffered an injury that forced the rematch bout with Maynard to be scrapped.

Edgar is unhappy with the way things ended in January and will look to finally lay his saga with Maynard to rest and avenge his sole loss.

Prior to the UFC 125 draw with Maynard, Edgar defeated BJ Penn twice in a row, making the legend look slow.  Edgar was also able to take down the former lightweight and welterweight champion at will, something that very few people have done.

With his focus on getting healthy, Edgar still remains the guy to beat as the owner of the lightweight belt.