UFC 144 Results: Hatsu Hioki and the Top 10 Featherweights in the UFC

On Saturday night, there were an insane number of top-10 fighters in almost every division in action, and that includes the featherweight division.

On the main card of UFC 144, the former Sengoku and World Victory Road champion, Hatsu Hioki, squared off with one of the most talented veterans of the 145-pound division, Bart Palaszewski.

In a one-sided fight, Hioki earned the unanimous decision victory, and proved to everyone that he is deserving of being called one of the best featherweights in the world.

Let's take a look at how the division was shook up on Saturday night.

No. 10: Ross Pearson

Ross "The Real Deal" Pearson is a new addition to the featherweight division, but he looks primed to make some serious noise.

In his first fight in the division, he earned a unanimous decision victory over Junior Assunção at UFC 141.

With wins over such tough guys as Spencer Fisher, Dennis Siver and Andre Winner at lightweight, everyone at featherweight had better be on notice for Pearson.

No. 9: Mark Hominick

Mark Hominick is in a bit of a sticky situation, as he now finds himself on a two-fight losing streak after being knocked out in seven seconds by Chan Sung Jung at UFC 140.

Hominick will look to come back in resounding fashion in his next fight.

Hominick has notable victories over George Roop, Leonard Garcia, Bryan Caraway and Yves Edwards.

No. 8: Diego Nunes

Diego Nunes is one of the best strikers in the featherweight division.

Nunes is 6-2 in his UFC/WEC career, and his only losses have been unanimous decisions to LC Davis and Kenny Florian—nothing to be ashamed of.

At UFC 141, he defeated veteran Manny Gamburyan by unanimous decision.

Nunes has notable victories over Mike Brown and Raphael Assunção.

No. 7: Chan Sung Jung

With his most recent devastation of Mark Hominick, Chan Sung Jung earned his place as one of the top-10 featherweights in the UFC.

Jung has long been considered a top fighter, but was never that consistent.

He has now won two in a row, and could easily be 4-1 in his last five if not for the highly-controversial decision loss against Leonard Garcia.

No. 6: Kenny Florian

Kenny Florian has announced a return to the lightweight division, but his career as a whole may be in jeopardy due to a recent back injury.

However, for the time being, Florian remains a featherweight as far as rankings are concerned. With a 1-1 record, and the lone win being over Diego Nunes, he can't be ranked much higher than this.

Florian also has notable victories over Clay Guida, Joe Lauzon and Joe Stevenson.

No. 5: Erik Koch

Erik Koch is quickly becoming a huge threat in the featherweight division.

He is currently riding a four-fight win streak, including victories over Raphael Assuncao and Ultimate Fighter winner Jonathan Brookins. 

His only career loss came to recent title-contender Chad Mendes.

No. 4: Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier has officially put himself in the title mix.

His win at UFC 143 may not have been over a top opponent, but the ease with which he tapped out Max Holloway was impressive.

He said he'd like two or three more fights before a title shot, but one more win will likely get him there.

He is set to fight Chan Sung Jung at UFC on Fuel TV 3.

No. 3: Chad Mendes

At UFC 142, Chad Mendes suffered the first defeat of his career, as he was knocked out at 4:59 of the first round by Jose Aldo.

Going into the fight, many thought that Mendes may be the one to finally dethrone the champion, however it was not to be.

Mendes may have lost the first fight of his career, but with a record of 11-1, including a win over Erik Koch, Mendes is still a top featherweight, and will certainly come back bigger and badder.

No. 2: Hatsu Hioki

Prior to Saturday night, many people were saying that Hatsu Hioki was overrated, and that he wasn't the No. 2 featherweight in the world.

How 'bout now?

Hioki controlled and battered Bart Palaszewski en route to a unanimous decision victory on the main card of UFC 144.

With the win, Hioki is now 2-0 inside the Octagon, and 14-1-1 in his last 16 fights. That's pretty impressive.

No. 1: Jose Aldo

No real surprise with No. 1 here.

At UFC 142, Aldo extended his winning streak to 14, including 11 wins in the UFC/WEC, and got back to his explosive ways with his vicious KO of Mendes.

Aldo won the title at WEC 44 by defeating Mike Brown, and he hasn't looked back since.

He has other notable victories over Jonathan Brookins, Cub Swanson, Mike Brown, Manny Gamburyan, Urijah Faber, Mark Hominick and Kenny Florian.

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