B/R MMA Official Rankings for February: Top 10 Heavyweights in MMA

There may not have been much happening in the heavyweight division this past month, but Fabricio Werdum made his return to the UFC. Also, with his win, to the upper echelon of heavyweights.

Werdum hit Roy Nelson with some of the biggest knees in recent memory, and handily earned a 30-27 unanimous decision on all judges scorecards.

Let's take a look and see where Werdum sits, and if Nelson was knocked out of the top 10 heavyweights in MMA.

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.

10. Cheick Kongo

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-6-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Matt Mitrione at UFC 137

Next Scheduled Fight: Mark Hunt at UFC 144

Previous Ranking: 9

Cheick Kongo is someone who could be considered a gatekeeper in the UFC. He has defeated the likes of Paul Buentello and Pat Barry, but he's lost against the upper echelon, such as Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir.

Kongo may be a gatekeeper, but that doesn't mean he isn't a handful for anyone to deal with.

9. Minotauro Nogueira

Promotion: UFC

Record: 33-7-1 [1 NC]

Most Recent Fight: Submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 7

At UFC 140, Minotauro Nogueira almost avenged his loss to Frank Mir.

But then, Mir locked in a kimura and he proceeded to break the arm of Nogueira.

Nogueira has now gone 2-3 in his last five, alternating wins and losses.

He may not be much more than a gatekeeper now. With that broken arm, he is sure to be out for quite some time.

8. Josh Barnett

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 31-5

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Sergei Kharitonov at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov

Next Scheduled Fight: Daniel Cormier at TBA

Previous Ranking: 8

Josh Barnett may not have been in the UFC for years, but in his time that he's been gone, he has proven that he is one of the best heavyweights in the world.

He's currently on an eight-fight win streak with seven finishes and will next fight in the finals of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix.

7. Fabricio Werdum

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-5-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Roy Nelson at UFC 143

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Fabricio Werdum made his return to the Octagon in triumphant fashion as he beat the season 10 winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Roy Nelson, by unanimous decision.

Werdum is now 4-1 in his past five fights, with the only loss coming at the hands of current No. 1 contender, Alistair Overeem.

Werdum also holds a notable win over Fedor Emelianenko. Maybe you saw it.

6. Daniel Cormier

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 9-0

Most Recent Fight: KO victory over Antonio Silva at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov

Next Scheduled Fight: Josh Barnett at TBA

Previous Ranking: 6

Daniel Cormier is definitely one of the top fighters in MMA today. With a 9-0 record, Olympic caliber wrestling and knockout power, Cormier is a handful for anyone.

He's currently dealing with a lingering hand injury, but upon his recovery, he will face Josh Barnett in the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix finals.

5. Shane Carwin

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 131

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 5

Shane Carwin is the former UFC interim heavyweight champion and a force to be reckoned with.

Unfortunately, he was manhandled by Junior dos Santos in his last fight. JDS earned a 15-minute beatdown of Carwin and the unanimous decision victory.

Carwin is currently out dealing with injuries and his return is yet to be announced.

4. Frank Mir

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-5

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Minotauro Nogueira at UFC 140

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 4

Frank Mir is back, kicking ass and taking names.

Mir looked to be in prime form at UFC 140, as he defeated Minotauro Nogueira by submission, therefore becoming the first man to ever knock him out and the only man to ever submit him.

Mir will be gunning for a title fight in 2012, and with one more win, he'll be on a four-fight win streak and definitely deserving one.

3. Cain Velasquez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-1

Most Recent Fight: KO loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC on Fox 1

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 3

Unfortunately for Cain Velasquez, he was knocked out in vicious fashion by Junior dos Santosand lost his heavyweight belt.

Cain has wins over fellow top-10 heavyweights Minotauro Nogueira and Cheick Kongo, so he will stay firmly cemented in the No. 3 spot in the division.

2. Alistair Overeem

Promotion: UFC

Record: 36-11 [1 NC]

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

Next Scheduled Fight: Junior dos Santos at TBA

Previous Ranking: 2

At UFC 141, Alistair Overeem staked his claim as a top heavyweight in the world and earned his shot at the UFC heavyweight title.

Overeem defeated Brock Lesnar via first-round TKO and became the No. 2 heavyweight in the world in doing so.

He now has a date with JDS, likely in the summer.

1. Junior Dos Santos

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: KO victory over Cain Velasquez at UFC on Fox 1

Next Scheduled Fight: Alistair Overeem at TBA

Previous Ranking: 1

At UFC on Fox 1, JDS knocked out Cain and became the heavyweight champion of the world.

This was the first clear No. 1 versus No. 2 heavyweight matchup in a long time and dos Santos treated Velasquez the same way he treated all his other opponents.

JDS is now the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but he's got Overeem looking for a crack at the title.

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