Luke Rockhold vs. Keith Jardine Results: Power Ranking the Strikeforce Champions

On Saturday night, Luke Rockhold defended his title for the first time by stopping Keith Jardine with strikes in the first round.

He may not have had the most formidable challenger, but it was an impressive performance nonetheless.

With his most recent win, and after Cyborg's steroids controversy, he has moved up in the rankings of Strikeforce champions.  

Here is where each champion stands in that ranking.

4. Cris Cyborg

Cris Cyborg is easily the most dominant 145-pound fighter on the planet today.  She is 9-1 with one no-contest, with eight of her wins coming by strikes.

However, there is now reason to believe that Cyborg's wins aren't legitimate.  According to mmaweekly.com, Cyborg tested positive for steroids.

Cyborg offered an explanation, but her claim is suspect, and until this matter is thoroughly sorted out, the legitimacy of much of her record is in question.

Rank in Corresponding UFC Division: N/A

3. Miesha Tate

Miesha Tate became Stikeforce's new female bantamweight champion when she submitted Marloes Coenen with an arm triangle in the championships rounds.

This was after winning the Strikeforce women's bantamweight tournament.

She will have her first title defense against Ronda Rousey, a Judoka who won a gold at the 2008 Olympics and has finished all of her opponents so far by armbar within the first minute of the first round.

If she beats Rousey, she will jump above Rockhold, who just had his first defense.

Rank in Corresponding UFC Division: N/A

2. Luke Rockhold

Luke Rockhold just made his first successful title defense by beating Keith Jardine.  This was after the biggest win of his career, when he bested Ronaldo "Jacere" Souza in a five-round battle.

Rockhold will most likely face Tim Kennedy next, and possibly Robbie Lawler down the line.

But apart from those two, there aren't any real threats at middleweight, and Rockhold may soon be finding himself fighting in the UFC by year's end.

Rank in Corresponding UFC Division: Top 10

1. Gilbert Melendez

There is no doubt that the best and most proven of the Strikeforce champions is Gilbert Melendez, the lightweight champion.

His championship run includes wins over Tatsuya Kawajiri, Jorce Masvidal and Shinya Aoki.  He has looked dominant in all of his victories since attaining the belt.

Rank in Corresponding UFC Division: Top Four