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

Quickly establishing itself as the sport's most stacked division, mixed martial arts' lightweights look to continue putting on exciting fights now that 2012 is in full gear.

Later this month, three current or former lightweight champions will test their skills in Japan as the UFC returns to the land of the rising sun for UFC 144.  Headlining the card will be current UFC champion Frankie Edgar, who will defend his belt against former WEC champion Benson Henderson.

Also on the card will be a battle between 155 lb. warriors, as former WEC champion Anthony Pettis looks for his second straight UFC win against veteran Joe Lauzon.

With so many great fighters looking to climb the contender ladder and claim the top spot, each of them deserves their placement as a top-10 lightweight.

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. Joe Lauzon

Previous Ranking: NR

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 21-6

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Melvin Guillard at UFC 136

Next Scheduled Fight: Anthony Pettis at UFC 144

Breaking into the top-10 rankings, Joe Lauzon has earned his spot among the elite of the division.

Winning a fight-night bonus in each of his last six bouts, this grappling ace has taken Submission of the Night in his last four UFC wins. Taking on the dangerous Melvin Guillard at UFC 136, Lauzon added to his bonus collection by tapping him out in just 47 seconds.

Now set to take on former WEC champion Anthony Pettis later this month, Lauzon can make a huge jump in the rankings if he pulls off another spectacular victory.

9. Michael Chandler

Previous Ranking: 10

Promotion: Bellator

MMA Record: 9-0

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 58

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

The current Bellator champion shocked the world with his fourth-round, title-winning submission over Eddie Alvarez last November.

Putting on a Fight of the Year-nominated performance, Michael Chandler is an exciting rising star that will look to keep his undefeated record intact as he awaits his first title defense.

With the season six lightweight tournament set to commence next month, Chandler will likely have to have a non-title fight before the tournament's conclusion determines the next 155 lb. challenger.

8. Anthony Pettis

Previous Ranking: 8

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 14-2

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136

Next Scheduled Fight: Joe Lauzon at UFC 144

As one of the promotion's most dynamic and creative fighters, Anthony Pettis remains on the hard road towards UFC gold.

The former WEC champion was once promised a shot early last year, but injuries and losses have moved Pettis further back in the contender line. But, after a win over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136, Pettis can make a stronger case for himself if he can defeat Joe Lauzon later this month in Japan.

A win at UFC 144 could make Pettis a fight or two away from finally facing the lightweight champion.

7. Nate Diaz

Previous Ranking: 7

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 15-7

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Donald Cerrone at UFC 141

Next Scheduled Fight: Jim Miller at UFC on FOX 3

With two straight high-profile wins to kick off his return to the lightweight division, Nate Diaz looks to be on the fast track to a top contender spot, as he is set to take on one of the division's best at UFC on FOX 3.

A win over Jim Miller would turn Diaz into a top-five lightweight and solidify his status as one of the division's most well-rounded fighters.

If Diaz can submit Miller like he did Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 or put on a striking clinic like he did against Donald Cerrone last December, maybe we'll finally see one of the Diaz brothers get a title shot in 2012.

6. Clay Guida

Previous Ranking: 5

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 29-12

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 1

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

A lopsided loss to current top contender Benson Henderson may have broken Clay Guida's four-fight win streak, but "the Carpenter" remains an elite fighter in the lightweight division.

Possessing a rock-solid chin, formidable grappling and cardio for days, Guida continues to be one of the UFC's most exciting fighters and a perennial prospective contender.

With wins over former champions Takanori Gomi and Anthony Pettis, another victory over a high-profile opponent should bring Guida back to top-five status.

5. Jim Miller

Previous Ranking: 6

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 21-3

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Melvin Guillard at UFC Fight Night 26

Next Scheduled Fight: Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 3

After snapping his seven-fight win streak against Benson Henderson last August, Jim Miller emphatically re-established his top five status with a Submission of the Night victory over Melvin Guillard in January.

A submission ace with a wealth of experience, Miller looks to get back into title contention as he faces the surging Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 3.

A win here could finally earn Miller a well-deserved shot for UFC gold.

4. Gilbert Melendez

Previous Ranking: 3

Promotion: Strikeforce

MMA Record: 20-2

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

As one of the sport's most dominant champions not fighting in the UFC, Gilbert Melendez has wiped out the competition as the Strikeforce Lightweight champ.

A well-rounded fighter with great knock-out power, Melendez most recently took a unanimous-decision victory against challenger Jorge Masvidal last December.

With hopes of fighting for UFC gold, possibly sometime this year, Melendez remains one of the most feared 155ers in the world.

3. Gray Maynard

Previous Ranking: 4

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 10-1-1-1

Most Recent Fight: Lost to Frankie Edgar at UFC 136

Next Scheduled Fight: N/A

After suffering a brutal knockout loss to foe Frankie Edgar at UFC 136, Gray Maynard made a drastic change in his training regiment as he tries to revitalize his career.

A great wrestler with immense power, Maynard made the move to the San Jose, Calif. based American Kickboxing Academy following his loss and is now looking to become a whole new fighter.  Maynard also spent time with team Nova Uniao prior to Jose Aldo's UFC 142 title fight, helping the featherweight champion prepare for Chad Mendes, who's also a well-known wrestler.

With no opponent set, when Maynard does finally return to the Octagon, fans should expect a whole new set of skills from "the Bully."

2. Benson Henderson

Previous Ranking: 2

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Clay Guida at UFC on FOX 1

Next Scheduled Fight: Frankie Edgar at UFC 144

After three straight wins to start off his UFC career, former WEC champion Benson Henderson will look to have an even more successful 2012 as he takes on Frankie Edgar later this month for the lightweight title.

An explosive striker that also possesses devastating submissions, Henderson has proved that he can hang with the UFC's 155ers, taking out Clay Guida and Jim Miller in his last two outings.

With UFC gold hanging in the balance at UFC 144 in Japan, look for an exciting, action-packed matchup between Henderson and Edgar.

1. Frankie Edgar

Previous Ranking: 1

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 14-1-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Gray Maynard at UFC 136

Next Scheduled Fight: Benson Henderson at UFC 144

The reigning UFC Lightweight champion, Frankie Edgar has put on one of the most spectacular and unexpected title runs in recent history.

Finally putting away nemesis Gray Mayard last October, Edgar may be walking into another drawn-out affair, as the always explosive Benson Henderson will be one of Edgar's toughest challenges to date.

But after defeating the legendary BJ Penn twice and knocking out Maynard after their UFC 125 draw, there is no test to great for the lightweight king.

Another gutsy performance by the champion will not only solidify Edgar at the top of the list, but it may earn him a spot as one of the sport's all-time greats.