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

A few things happened this May in the MMA heavyweight bracket.

First, on May 19, Daniel Cormier defeated Josh Barnett to win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. On May 25, Bellator title holder Kole Conrad submitted Tournament-Winner-By-Default Eric Prindle in one minute to advance to 9-0. Then on May 26, at UFC 146—which, as you may recall, had a main card consisting of, grab hold of something, ALL HEAVYWEIGHTS—Roy Nelson KO'd "Pee Wee" Herman, Cain Velasquez terminated Antonio Silva and champion Junior dos Santos wiped out Frank Mir to retain that belt.

So yeah, just a few things. How did all of it affect the heavyweight rankings? Why don't you just read on.

Scott Harris is a columnist and slideshow writer with Bleacher Report MMA. Now, you can follow him on Twitter @ScottHarrisMMA

Note: These rankings reflect the average rankings of a number of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers, as we continue to try and provide you with the best content on the web.

10. Antonio Silva

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-4

Most recent fight: Rd. 1 TKO loss to Cain Velasquez at UFC 146

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 9

After losing a small pig's worth of blood at UFC 146, Antonio Silva may have been exposed as a heavyweight who's not quite ready for prime time. But he's still a quality fighter, and would be a great matchup for Roy Nelson, his original opponent on the May 26 main card.

9. Mark Hunt

Promotion: UFC

Record: 8-7

Most recent fight: Rd. 1 TKO win over Cheick Kongo

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 10

Hunt hovers at the bottom of the rankings after pulling out of his UFC 146 engagement with Stefan Struve.

8. Josh Barnett

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 31-6

Most recent fight: Unanimous decision loss to Daniel Cormier at Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 7

Barnett had a clear path in front of him. Win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, and punch your ticket to the UFC.

But he lost. Couple Barnett's checkered history in the UFC with the fact that Strikeforce has said it is sunsetting its heavyweight bracket, and you've got a bona fide head-scratcher on your hands.

My guess is Barnett, now 34, will land on his feet somehow, some way. But at the moment, that's a pretty big "TBD" hanging out there.

7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Promotion: UFC

Record: 33-7-1 (1)

Most recent fight: Rd. 1 technical submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140

Next fight: Cheick Kongo at UFC 149

Previous ranking: 8

A one-spot jump for Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. And in a way, it's apropo. Just when you're ready to bury the heavyweight legend, he finds a way to pull something out. That's the way it's always been with Big Nog, and it's the way it will always be.

Nothing lasts forever, though. And if the 36-year-old can't get past Cheick Kongo next month, he'll be staring down the barrel of a 2-4 record in his last six contests.

6. Shane Carwin

Promotion: UFC

Record: 12-2

Most recent fight: Unanimous decision loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 131

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 4

Carwin recently announced his desire to return to the Octagon in early fall. No opponent set yet, but it could be any number of guys. Though he lost two straight before injuries bought him some extended shelf time, it's possible Carwin would see an elite opponent (if probably not a full-blown contender) in his triumphant return to fighting. 

5. Frank Mir

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-6

Most recent fight: Rd. 2 TKO loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 146

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 3

No two ways about it: Mir got it handed to him at UFC 146. The surefire hall of famer may be doing some soul-searching about his career goals and objectives moving forward. If he still has the desire, he can still be a top heavyweight. But at this point, that "if" seems very real. 

4. Fabricio Werdum

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-5-1

Most recent fight: Unanimous decision win over Roy Nelson at UFC 143

Next fight: Mike Russow at UFC 147

Previous ranking: 5

Fabricio Werdum is knocking on the door. A win over the very tough Mike Russow at UFC 147 might be enough to kick the damn thing down.

3. Daniel Cormier

Promotion: Strikeforce

Record: 10-0

Most recent fight: Unanimous decision win over Josh Barnett in Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 6


Daniel Cormier is the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champ, and as a result is also the highest riser in the rankings this month. Which one will go on his resume? I'll leave that up to Cormier to decide.

In the meantime, DC has one fight left on his Strikeforce contract; after fulfilling that, he'll join the UFC. His performance against Barnett showed he belongs with the cream of the crop.

Cormier will cool his heels while he recovers from a broken hand. But a fall fight and then an early 2013 Octagon debut seems the most likely course of action.

2. Cain Velasquez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-1

Most recent fight: Rd. 1 TKO win over Antonio Silva at UFC 146

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 2

Cain Velasquez is a bad man. A very bad man. And though nothing has yet been set, Cain and all his badness appear to have the inside track for the next shot at Junior dos Santos, following that ritualistic slaughter of Silva in the co-main event at 146.

A matchup with JDS would, of course, give Velasquez a chance to win back the belt and avenge his only pro loss. I believe I would pay money to watch that fight.

1. Junior Dos Santos

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

Most recent fight: Rd. 2 TKO win over Frank Mir at UFC 146

Next fight: TBD

Previous ranking: 1

Same stuff, different day up here at the top of the heavyweight rankings after dos Santos broke down Mir to retain the golden strap. Until further notice, Junior dos Santos is the baddest man on the planet.