B/R Official MMA Rankings for March: The Top 25 Pound-for-Pound Fighters

After an action-packed February, fight fans will finally get some breathing room this month as Zuffa has no events planned until April, allowing the dust to settle after all the recent movement in the rankings.

While the major players remain the top dogs in the pound-for-pound rankings, new contenders have swelled the ranks, such as the recently-crowned UFC Lightweight champion Benson Henderson and the host of flyweights stemming from the UFC's addition of the division.

Let's take a look at how these fighters stack up in this month's top 25 pound-for-pound rankings.

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.

25. Hatsu Hioki

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-4-2

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Bart Palaszewski at UFC 144

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Returning to his native Japan last month at UFC 144, Hatsu Hioki solidified his standing as one of the top featherweights in the world with his dominant performance over Bart Palaszewski. Hioki now finds himself on the radar of the pound-for-pound rankings.

Currently riding a six-fight win streak, Hioki is the likeliest candidate to challenge champion Jose Aldo.

24. 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: No. 25

One of the most dominant forces in the UFC's bantamweight division, Brazilian powerhouse Renan Barao makes a slight bump in the rankings following his February demolition of Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143.

Having gone 29 straight bouts without tasting defeat, Barao may have to take another fight before finally fighting for UFC gold, as champion Dominick Cruz and challenger Urijah Faber will first duke it out after the conclusion of their stint as coaches for this season's the Ultimate Fighter Live.

23. Jake Ellenberger

Promotion: UFC

Record: 27-5

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Diego Sanchez at UFC on FUEL TV 1

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 24

After taking out one of the most decorated fighters in less than a minute last September, Jake Ellenberger followed up his Knockout of the Night performance against Jake Shields with a huge decision victory over Diego Sanchez at UFC on FUEL TV 1.

Earning Fight of the Night honors, Ellenberger's win over Sanchez puts him right in the mix in a surprisingly stacked welterweight division.  

22. 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. 19

After a failed third attempt at obtaining UFC gold, perennial contender Kenny Florian appears on his way out as age and injuries hinder his road to recovery.

Expressing an interest in returning to the lightweight division, time will tell whether Florian makes one last return to the famed Octagon or if his seat is permanently placed behind the broadcaster's booth.

21. Lyoto Machida

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-3

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

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 21

Failing to reclaim his light heavyweight crown against Jon Jones last December, karate master Lyoto Machida's status among the pound-for-pound rankings remains unchanged.

There has been speculation that former champion Dan Henderson would face Machida next, but with Henderson only wanting to fight for the title, Machida sits silently on the sidelines as he awaits a new opponent.

20. Ian McCall

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-2-1

Most Recent Fight: Majority draw against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FX 2

Next Fight: Demetrious Johnson (TBD)

Previous Ranking: No. 22

With the UFC's flyweight division making its debut at UFC on FX 2, top-ranked 125er Ian McCall emerged from the opening round of the four-man tournament in the same place he started: awaiting a date with Demetrious Johnson.

While both fighters put on a show in their Fight of the Night performance, an initial win for Johnson was overturned due to a judge's scoring error, culminating in a majority draw.

McCall will once again face Johnson at a to-be-determined date, with the winner getting a shot to become the first UFC Flyweight champion. 

19. Shogun Rua

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 139

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 18

After a spectacular Fight of the Year performance against Dan Henderson at UFC 139, former champion Shogun Rua is still one of the top fighters in the sport and looks to get back into the title hunt.

No news yet as to when he will return to the Octagon, but expect a motivated Shogun to emerge once an opponent is named.

18. Cain Velasquez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-1

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

Next Fight: Frank Mir (TBD)

Previous Ranking: No. 16

Suffering a brutal defeat at the hands Junior Dos Santos last November, Cain Velasquez lost his coveted heavyweight crown as well as his undefeated record.

But the former champion may be back in title contention sooner rather than later, as a planned bout with Frank Mir may determine the next heavyweight challenger.

17. Gilbert Melendez

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 20-2

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

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Having rolled over the Strikeforce lightweights, champion Gilbert Melendez has virtually cleaned out the division and has his eyes set on the UFC.

But with the UFC's lightweight division stacked with challengers, Melendez remains lost in the fray as he awaits a new foe to face, but can take solace in his jump in the pound-for-pound rankings.

16. 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 UFC 146

Previous Ranking: No. 17

Emphatically staking his claim as the heavyweight division's top contender after his brutal beat down of Brock Lesnar, Alistair Overeem will have an even bigger fight later this year when he faces champion Junior Dos Santos.

Now training with the Blackzilians in Florida, Overeem is tentatively scheduled to fight Dos Santos in late May, barring any injury.

15. Urijah Faber

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

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

Next Fight: Dominick Cruz at UFC 148 (Rumored)

Previous Ranking: No. 14

With the majority of "The California Kid's" 2012 spent coaching this season's The Ultimate Fighter Live, Urijah Faber will get another crack at the bantamweight belt this summer as he is set to take on champion Dominick Cruz for the third time.

As the two continue to verbally joust throughout the season, expect major fireworks when these two finally square off at the rumored UFC 148 card.

14. 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. 12

Having not fought since suffering a fourth-round TKO loss to then-champion Frankie Edgar at UFC 136, Gray Maynard has made major changes to his training in the wake of this defeat.

Now over at American Kickboxing Academy as well as training with team Nova Uniao, expect a reinvented Maynard when he finally returns to the Octagon.

13. Joseph Benavidez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-2

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC on FX 2

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 15

Dropping down to flyweight to face Yasuhiro Urushitani at UFC on FX 2, Joseph Benavidez showed why he's one of the best at 125 after dominating in the opening round of the four-man tournament.

Forced to wait in the wings as the McCall-Johnson fiasco seeks a resolution, Benavidez will fight the winner next for a chance to be crowned the first flyweight champion in UFC history.

12. 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 UFC 147 (Rumored)

Previous Ranking: No. 9

While no date has officially been set, all indications are pointing that Chael Sonnen will finally get his rematch with Anderson Silva, possibly in Brazil at UFC 147.

With Anderson Silva still recovering from injuries, Sonnen remains adamant that this bout won't happen, but if the fans and UFC President Dana White have anything to say about, the rematch that's been two years in the making will definitely happen this year.

11. Dan Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-8

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

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: No. 11

After taking the decision win against Shogun Rua in one of the most exciting bouts in UFC history, former Strikeforce and Pride champion Dan Henderson has been surprisingly inactive since the win.

Wanting to only fight for the title, UFC President Dana White has openly expressed that he has no idea what to do with Henderson in the meantime, forcing "Hendo" to wait until after Rashad Evans gets his shot at Jon Jones.

10. 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. 8

Finally set to face nemesis Jon Jones at UFC 145 next month, it's been a long time coming for former champion Rashad Evans.

Looking to follow his win over Phil Davis with a flash of UFC gold, expect no punches to be pulled leading into this grudge match.

9. 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: No. 10

After making a huge leap in the rankings last month after his interim title win over Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit makes a slight bump this month as he further solidifies himself as a top-tier fighter.

Likely waiting until Georges St-Pierre fully recovers, don't expect to see Condit in the cage anytime soon as he quietly awaits the champion.

8. Frankie Edgar

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-2-1

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

Next Fight: Benson Henderson (TBD)

Previous Ranking: No. 3

Frankie Edgar makes a big dip in the rankings following his title loss to Benson Henderson at UFC 144.

While putting on a gutsy performance in Japan, the now-former champion just couldn't contend with Henderson's size and strength.

Adamant about staying in the lightweight division, Edgar is eager to get an immediate rematch despite the calls for him to move down to 145.

7. Benson Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-2

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

Next Fight: Frankie Edgar (TBD)

Previous Ranking: No. 13

There are few fighters more worthy of the accolades and attention they receive than now current champion Benson Henderson.

Going from the back burner to the new lightweight king in just over a year, Henderson will look to keep his crown no matter the foe as a plethora of title challengers—including two high-profile rematches—seem to be on his plate next.

6. 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 UFC 146

Previous Ranking: No. 7

Recuperating since his heavyweight title win over Cain Velasquez last November, champion Junior Dos Santos will return to the Octagon later this year as he his set to face former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem

With some of the heaviest hands in the entire UFC, expect Dos Santos to have a great striking battle against Overeem.

5. 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 at UFC 148 (Rumored)

Previous Ranking: No. 6

Coaching opposite longtime foe Urijah Faber on this season of The Ultimate Fighter Live, bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will look to once again showcase his amazing speed and fast footwork in this summer's rematch.

One of the hardest fighters to hit in the UFC, Cruz is well-deserving of his top five status.

4. 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. 5

Returning to Brazil in a blaze of glory with his KO win over Chad Mendes at UFC 143, there are few fighters in history that possess Aldo's killer instinct.

As Aldo continues to roll over the featherweight division, expect him to take over the top position in the pound-for-pound rankings in the coming years.

3. Jon Jones

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

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

Next Fight: Rashad Evans at UFC 145

Previous Ranking: No. 4

Continuing his dominance over every challenger in the light heavyweight division, champion Jon Jones will look to add another big name to his list of defeated foes at UFC 145.

This time, however, the fight is personal, as former training partner Rashad Evans looks to dethrone the king. But if Jones can stave off another challenger, expect him to ascend the ranks even higher and possibly take the top spot. 

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

Mired with an injured knee, UFC's poster boy Georges St-Pierre will remain on the sidelines for the better part of this year and will likely face Carlos Condit when he returns.

While he hasn't fought since a lackluster win over Jake Shields at UFC 129, St-Pierre's fantastic track record over the years keeps him in the top two of the list.

1. Anderson Silva

Promotion: UFC

Record: 31-4 

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

Next Fight: Chael Sonnen at UFC 147 (Rumored)

Previous Ranking: No. 1

After so many great performances and big wins, there's nothing that needs to be said that hasn't already been said about Anderson Silva.

The reigning middleweight champion and perpetually top-ranked pound-for-pound mixed martial artist will likely face Chael Sonnen when he returns. Another spectacular win in this highly anticipated rematch will only further his standing as one of the greatest of all time.

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