B/R MMA Official Pound-for-Pound Rankings for February

Much has changed in the MMA world after the events of January and the first few days of February. 

Axiomatic truths about certain fighters were dispelled as lies, questionable decisions were had, and relatively unknown fighters rose to prominence.

Thus, Bleacher Report MMA has accordingly altered its pound-for-pound rankings to reflect what has happened since January. 

So who has gone up and who has gone down? Read and find out!

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.

25. Renan Barao

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-1 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Bantamweight phenom Renan Barao finally broke into the B/R MMA official pound-for-pound rankings this months with a dominant performance over the talented competitor Scott Jorgensen.

Barao is on an unbelievable 28-fight win streak (not counting the no contest) and is swiftly becoming the most dangerous threat to Dominick Cruz's 135-pound title. 

24. Jake Ellenberger

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Jake Shields at UFC Fight Night 25

Next Fight: Diego Sanchez at UFC on Fuel

Previous Ranking: N/A

Jake Ellenberger made it onto the pound-for-pound rankings not because of actions he did in January, but because of the defeats suffered by other welterweights such as Jon Fitch and Nick Diaz.

Ellenberger has a devastating combination of heavy hands and superior wrestling that can best any fighter at welterweight, making him a fitting addition to the pound-for-pound rankings.

23. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 32-9

Most Recent Fight: Submission loss to Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 135

Next Fight: Ryan Bader at UFC 144

Previous Ranking: No. 24

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is one of the toughest and most durable fighters in the UFC, and he'll be thrust back into contendership with a win over Ryan Bader at UFC 144.

22. Ian McCall

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-2

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Darrell Montague at Tachi Palace Fights 10

Next Fight: Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FX 2

Previous Ranking: No. 21

Ian McCall is considered one of the premier flyweights in the world and is participating in the UFC flyweight tournament, the purpose of which is to crown the division's very first champion. 

If McCall clinches a victory over Demetrious Johnson, then his pound-for-pound ranking will likely shoot up.

21. Lyoto Machida

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-3

Most Recent Fight: Submission loss to Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 140

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 22

The most impressive performance against Jon Jones of anyone who faced the man in a title fight was likely the reason for Lyoto Machida's climb in the rankings from January into February.

Machida is a dangerous opponent for anyone, and his enigmatic striking style even managed to fluster Jon Jones initially. 

20. Chad Mendes

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-1

Most Recent Fight: KO loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 142

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 20

Despite his loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 142, Chad Mendes has stayed static in the rankings. This is due to the fact that his superior wrestling attack can give anyone in his division problems. 

19. Kenny Florian

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-6

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 136

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 23

Kenny Florian is a skilled competitor whose prowess Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu would give any fighter a headache. He is only going to get better since he has moved to the Tri-Star gym in Canada.

18. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 134

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 19

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua resurrected his seemingly flailing career with a dominant victory over Forrest Griffin at UFC 127 and then by partaking in one of the most legendary fights of all time against Dan Henderson at UFC 134. 

Rua has yet to be scheduled for another fight, but no matter who it's against, fans will be watching with great interest.

17. Alistair Overeem

Promotion: UFC

Record: 36-11 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 141

Next Fight: Junior Dos Santos at TBD date

Previous Ranking: No. 18

Alistair Overeem retired Brock Lesnar with a series of brutal knees and follow-up strikes. 

He is set to face Junior Dos Santos for the UFC heavyweight championship at a to be determined date.

Overeem is a former K-1 champion and one of the most lethal strikers in MMA. He will definitely give Dos Santos a run for his money.

16. Cain Velasquez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-1

Most Recent Fight: KO loss to Junior Dos Santos at UFC on FOX 1

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 16

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is still a top-flight competitor despite his loss to Junior Dos Santos. 

He has a unique blend of high-level wrestling and kickboxing that presents a bad matchup for most fighters. 

Whoever is unlucky enough to face him next will have to have a good game plan to deal with a Velasquez, who will be hungry for a win.

15. Joseph Benavidez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Eddie Wineland at UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle

Next Fight: Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC on FX 2

Previous Ranking: No. 15

Joseph Benavidez was one of the world's best bantamweights and is now one of the world's best flyweights. 

He, too, will be competing in the flyweight tournament to crown a champion for the new division. With a victory, he'll no doubt move further up the list.

14. Urijah Faber

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory versus Brian Bowles at UFC 139

Next Fight: Dominick Cruz at TBD date

Previous Ranking: No. 12

Urijah Faber is one of the most talented and well-known bantamweights in the world. 

As such, he's the perfect choice to compete against bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.

The dates and specifics have yet to be announced, but the MMA world quivers with anticipation.

13. Benson Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Clay Guida at UFC on FOX 1

Next Fight: Frankie Edgar at UFC 144

Previous Ranking: No. 13

Benson Henderson proved at UFC on FOX 1 against Clay Guida that he really is one of the best fighters in the world. 

He'll have a chance to prove he's the best 155-pounder in the world against Frankie Edgar at UFC 144. With a win, don't be surprised to see Henderson's ranking skyrocket in the March edition of the rankings.

12. Gray Maynard

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-1-1 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: TKO loss to Frankie Edgar at UFC 136

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 14

Gray Maynard is one of the toughest individuals in the UFC and is only continuing to improve after his loss to Frankie Edgar by training at the fabled Brazilian camp Nova União.

11. Dan Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-8

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 10

Dan Henderson was recently involved in one of the most amazing and exciting fights of all time against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139.

Rumors surfaced that he may be facing Jon Jones after the fight, but those subsequently fizzled. It's unknown who Henderson is fighting next, but his "H-bomb" right hand will give anyone nightmares. 

10. Carlos Condit

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-5

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 143

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

The biggest addition on this month's rankings is Carlos Condit. 

From being unranked last month to being the No. 10 fighter is quite an accomplishment. 

Condit pulled it off by turning in a masterful game plan against Nick Diaz that saw Condit use an array of kicks as well as slick footwork to stymie Diaz en route to a (controversial) decision win and the UFC interim welterweight title.

9. Chael Sonnen

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-11-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Michael Bisping at UFC on FOX 2

Next Fight: Anderson Silva at TBD date

Previous Ranking: No. 8

Chael Sonnen's lackluster victory over Michael Bisping has caused him to slide a space in the rankings. 

If he shows up to the fight with Anderson Silva like he showed up to the Bisping fight, he'll be destroyed inside a round.

Nevertheless, Sonnen has a great skill set and is still deserving of his spot on the rankings.

8. Rashad Evans

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-1-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 2

Next Fight: Jon Jones at UFC 145

Previous Ranking: No. 9

Rashad Evans is now the claimant to the No. 1 contender spot in the UFC light heavyweight division.

He earned that spot by an impressive performance against Phil Davis. A performance that saw Evans out-wrestle the more credentialed wrestler.

Evans has a great mix of wrestling, striking, and Jiu-Jitsu skills and is one of the most well-rounded fighters in MMA.

 

7. Junior Dos Santos

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX 1

Next Fight: Alistair Overeem at TBD date

Previous Ranking: No. 7

Junior Dos Santos has the most technical boxing in MMA and an uppercut that's reminiscent of a Mortal Kombat fatality. 

However, Dos Santos hasn't moved in the rankings because he still has to face his biggest test yet: Alistair Overeem.

6. Dominick Cruz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Demetrious Johnson at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson

Next Fight: vs. Urijah Faber (TBA)

Previous Ranking: No. 5

Dominick Cruz is the UFC bantamweight champion and the fastest and most elusive fighter in the UFC.

The only reason he has moved down in the rankings is because of a great performance by UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.

5. Jose Aldo

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-1

Most Recent Fight: KO victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 143

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 6

Jose Aldo was slipping in the rankings due to relatively poor performances in the UFC against Mark Hominick and Kenny Florian. 

However, Aldo proved against Chad Mendes that he really is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. 

Also was just a league above Mendes and earned a knockout over the wrestler with a pinpoint accurate knee at the end of the first round.

Aldo's next fight has yet to be announced.

4. Jon Jones

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 3

Jon Jones is one of the most amazing fighters of the world and is the very future of the UFC.

His range, wrestling, unorthodox striking, and submission skills make him one of the most dangerous men in the world.

3. Frankie Edgar

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1-1

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Gray Maynard at UFC 136

Next Fight: Benson Henderson (UFC 144)

Previous Ranking: No. 4

No fighter in the UFC has more heart than Frankie Edgar, and fewer fighters are faster than Frankie Edgar.

He is the UFC lightweight champion, and he will be defending his title against Benson Henderson at UFC 144. 

2. Georges St.Pierre

Promotion: UFC

Record: 22-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Jake Shields at UFC 129

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 2

Not even inactivity can keep UFC welterweight champion Georges St.Pierre from sliding in the pound-for-pound rankings, it would seem. 

St.Pierre is on a nine-fight winning streak but is currently nursing a knee injury. He is expected to come back around November. 

1. Anderson Silva

Promotion: UFC

Record: 31-4 

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory vs. Yushin Okami at UFC 134

Next Fight: Chael Sonnen at TBD date

Previous Ranking: No. 1

Anderson Silva is the closest thing to a real-life Neo, 'nuff said.

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