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

This month, the bantamweight rankings of the world have had a bit of a shakeup.

There were no major fights with the top 10 fighters, but with the announcement of the flyweight division, and the subsequent announcement that two top bantamweights—Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson—would be joining that division, there were two new spots available on the rankings.

With that in mind, let's take a look at Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber and the top 135-pound fighters in the world of MMA today.

These rankings are the combined effort of some of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers, as we continue to try to provide you with the best content on the web.

No. 10: Bibiano Fernandes

Previous Ranking: NR

Promotion: DREAM

MMA Record: 11-3

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

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

The first new inclusion on the rankings is the newly crowned DREAM bantamweight champion of the world.

Fernandes won the title on New Years Eve, when he defeated both Rodolfo Marques and Antonio Banuelos in the same night.

With wins over Joachim Hansen, Joe Warren, Masakazu Imanari, and fights with Kid Yamamoto and Urijah Faber, Fernandes is definitely one of the top bantamweights around today.

No. 9: Eddie Wineland

Previous Ranking: NR

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 18-8-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Joseph Benavidez at UFC Live 5

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

The second new inclusion on the list is the former WEC bantamweight champion, Eddie Wineland.

Wineland has fallen on some hard times lately, as he has dropped two straight fights to Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez.

Wineland has gone through a few opponent changes for his next fight, and then was forced to pull out himself due to an injury.

No. 8: Brad Pickett

Previous Ranking: 9

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Renan Barao at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

Brad Pickett is another fighter who hasn't been too hot lately.

Pickett has gone 1-2 in his last three fights, with a victory over Ivan Menjivar sandwiched inbetween losses to Scott Jorgensen and Renan Barao.

Pickett's next fight is yet to be announced, but you can be sure he'll be looking to make a statement and stake his claim as one of the best bantamweights today.

No. 7: Michael McDonald

Previous Ranking: 10

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Alex Soto at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

Michael McDonald is arguably the brightest talent in the bantamweight division, as he has a 4-0 record in the UFC and WEC, including a fight of the night and knockout of the night award.

McDonald's last fight saw him swarm Alex Soto, and knock him out in less than a minute at UFC 139. That was the fight he earned the knockout of the night for.

McDonald's next fight will likely be against a top ten fighter.

No. 6: Miguel Torres

Previous Ranking: 8

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 39-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Nick Pace at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

It sure has been a crazy month for Miguel Torres.

First he was cut from the UFC for an inappropriate tweet. Then, after he made right as far as Dana White was concerned, he was brought back to the UFC.

Now back in the organization, and 3-3 in his last six, Torres will look to have a big 2012, and get into title contention.

No. 5: Renan Barao

Previous Ranking: 7

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 27-1 [1 NC]

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Brad Pickett at UFC 138

Next Scheduled Fight: Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143

Renan Barao makes a jump that many will be happy to see, as he is now in the top five of the bantamweight division.

Barao is pegged by many as a future champion in the UFC, and with a 28 fight unbeaten streak, it's tough to argue that.

Barao will fight his best opponent yet, Scott Jorgensen, on Super Bowl weekend at UFC 143.

No. 4: Scott Jorgensen

Previous Ranking: 5

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 13-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Jeff Curran at UFC 137

Next Scheduled Fight: Renan Barao at UFC 143

Scott Jorgensen is a one-time title challenger in the bantamweight division, and is currently riding a two fight winning streak, looking to get a second shot at Dominick Cruz.

Jorgensen dropped a unanimous decision to Cruz at WEC 53, with both the WEC belt and UFC belt on the line.

In his next fight, Jorgensen will face off against the surging prospect, Renan Barao.

No. 3: Brian Bowles

Previous Ranking: 4

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 10-2

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Urijah Faber at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

Brian Bowles is the former WEC bantamweight champion, a title he lost to Dominick Cruz when he broke his hand.

After that fight, Bowles won two in a row to earn a No. 1 contender match against Urijah Faber at UFC 139.

In that fight, Faber proved to the world that he is the No. 2 bantamweight, as he outclassed Bowles, rocking him on the feet, and then submitting him in the second round.

Bowles' next fight is yet to be announced.

No. 2: Urijah Faber

Previous Ranking: 2

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Brian Bowles at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Dominick Cruz at TBA

With the departure of Joseph Benavidez from the bantamweight ranks, there is absolutely no doubt that Urijah Faber is the No. 2 bantamweight in the world.

Faber is 3-1 in the division, with wins over Eddie Wineland and Brian Bowles, and the lone loss being a very competitive decision against Dominick Cruz.

Faber's next fight will be against Cruz at some time in 2012, but not before they coach on season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter.

No. 1: Dominick Cruz

Previous Ranking: 1

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Demetrious Johnson at UFC Live 6

Next Scheduled Fight: Urijah Faber at TBA

Dominick Cruz has proven to everyone that he is a great fighter, and a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Cruz has victories over Urijah Faber, Scott Jorgensen, Brian Bowles, Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez.

There are still a number of fights at bantamweight for Cruz, but he is well on his way to cleaning out the division.

His next test will be coaching The Ultimate Fighter against Urijah Faber, followed by the third fight of his trilogy with Faber.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @TimMcTiernan.