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

It was a big month in MMA for the lightweights, as the title was on the line in Japan at UFC 144 and Benson Henderson took on Frankie Edgar.

In an incredibly close fight, Henderson got the decision over Edgar and won the UFC title.

So is Henderson now the No. 1 lightweight in the world? Or did Gilbert Melendez slip in there and steal the position?

Let's take a look at the lightweight division after an action-filled February.

 

These rankings are the combined efforts of some of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers, as we continue to try and provide you with the best content on the web.

10. Shinya Aoki

Promotion: DREAM

Record: 30-5 [1 NC]

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Satoru Kitaoka at Fight for Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Next Fight: Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 66

Previous Ranking: NR

As we continue to add more writers to the official B/R rankings crew, the rankings continue to evolve, which is why Shinya Aoki makes his way back onto the top 10 lightweights in MMA.

Aoki will have a rematch with former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 66, as he'll look to extend his seven-fight win streak.

9. Michael Chandler

Promotion: Bellator

Record: 9-0

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 58

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 9

The Bellator lightweight champion is up next, as Michael Chandler comes in at No. 9 once again.

Chandler hasn't fought since winning the title from Eddie Alvarez at Bellator 58, but he awaits the winner of the season six Bellator lightweight tournament.

8. Anthony Pettis

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Knockout victory over Joe Lauzon at UFC 144

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 8

Unfortunately for Anthony Pettis, even in a month when he wins, he can't move up the rankings at all.

The loss to Clay Guida is stifling Pettis' ranking in the division, even if he could potentially be next in line for a shot at the title.

7. Clay Guida

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-12

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 1

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 6

Up next is the former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Clay "The Carpenter" Guida.

Guida hasn't fought since losing a No. 1 contender's match to Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 1, but when he comes back, he'll look to get back to his winning ways and prove that he's more than a gatekeeper.

6. Nate Diaz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-7

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 141

Next Fight: Jim Miller at UFC on Fox 3

Previous Ranking: 7

Nate Diaz comes up next, and with his resurgence in the lightweight division, it's enough to push him past Clay Guida in the division.

Diaz will now headline UFC on Fox 3 against Jim Miller, with a potential shot at the lightweight title on the line.

5. Jim Miller

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-3

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Melvin Guillard at UFC on FX 1

Next Fight: Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 3

Previous Ranking: 5

Jim Miller is up next, and with the win he had over Melvin Guillard at UFC on FX 1, he proved that he is one of the top lightweights in the world.

Miller has three losses in his career, and all three of those losses have come to the top three fighters in the UFC lightweight division.

4. Gray Maynard

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-1-1 [1 NC]

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

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 3

Gray Maynard has to be insanely happy that Benson Henderson defeated Frankie Edgar.

Maynard will now have a chance to get another title shot, as he would not have gotten a shot against Frankie Edgar.

His next fight has yet to be announced.

3. Gilbert Melendez

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 20-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 4

The Strikeforce lightweight champion comes in at No. 3 and was last seen earning a unanimous decision over Jorge Masvidal at the event which he headlined.

Melendez wants to make the jump to the UFC, but he is contractually obligated to stay in Strikeforce for Showtime.

Maybe the UFC will send over a top guy for him.

2. Frankie Edgar

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-2-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Benson Henderson at UFC 144

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 1

Now that Frankie Edgar is no longer the champ, he is also no longer the No. 1 lightweight in the world.

Edgar does still have a lot of wins over top guys in the division, so until he's beaten again, he'll stay ranked as one of the best lightweights on the planet.

1. Benson Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Frankie Edgar at UFC 144

Next Fight: TBA

Previous Ranking: 2

Benson Henderson has proven that he is the best lightweight fighter on the planet today.

With his unanimous decision over Frankie Edgar, Bendo earned the UFC lightweight title and also got a target painted on his back.

He's got a lot of guys coming for his title, but he'll be ready for them.

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