UFC 147 Results: Top 10 Featherweights in the UFC

Although this weekend had important fights in the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions, it was a busy weekend for the boys at 145 pounds.

On Friday night, top title contender Hatsu Hioki was mysteriously relegated to the Fuel TV preliminaries against highlight-creator Ricardo Lamas. In any event, it was the most important fight within the division this weekend as Hioki was the No. 2 ranked featherweight in the world heading into the contest.

In other important contests, Ultimate Fighter Ross Pearson took on WEC standout Cub Swanson, TUF: Brazil crowned a featherweight winner, and top prospects Yuri Alcantara and Hacran Dias looked to leave their stamp on the UFC.

All in all, nine featherweight fights took place this weekend, and the competitors showed us why the division is so exciting. With some wiggle room at the bottom, many of the fighters this weekend had an opportunity to make a case for themselves in the rankings.

Here are the top 10 featherweights in the UFC.

10. Jim Hettes

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision win over Nam Phan at UFC 141.
Next Fight: TBD 

No offense to Diego Nunes, but losing two of his last three fights with no stoppage wins since joining the Zuffa roster doesn't scream top 10 to me. For that reason, I've given his former spot on this list to a rising star who deserves the acclaim a little bit more.

Jim Hettes is a hot commodity in the featherweight division. With a flawless professional record of 10-0, we have seen "The Kid" look dominant in both of his UFC performances. 

In his most recent performance, he thoroughly rinsed Nam Phan for three rounds. The contest was so one-sided that two judges turned in the rarely seen score of 30-25 in favor of Jim.

9. Charles Oliveira

Last Fight: Submission win over Jonathan Brookins at Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale
Next Fight: TBD 

Since dropping to featherweight, Oliveira has been a danger to each of his opponents. After scoring back-to-back submission wins, including a guillotine choke against TUF winner Jonathan Brookins, Oliveira is ready to live up to his potential.

Losses to Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller sent Oliveira down to his proper weight class, and he is certainly reaping the benefits of the move.

If Oliveira can put together a pair of wins before the end of the year, he still has the opportunity to become the youngest champion in UFC history. The clock runs out in June of next year.

8. Dennis Siver

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision win over Nam Phan at UFC 141
Next Fight: vs. Eddie Yagin at UFC 151 on September 1

Yet another lightweight contender who continues to make waves after dropping his weight class.

Dennis Siver has only fought once at featherweight, however, he did a great job of outstriking Diego Nunes in an exciting war at UFC on Fuel 2.

Siver faces off against striker Eddie Yagin at UFC 151. Yagin shocked MMA fans by besting Mark Hominick throughout three rounds of standing exchanges back at UFC 145.

Can Siver stop his momentum, or will he become another notch on the underdog's belt?

7. Hatsu Hioki

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision loss to Ricardo Lamas at UFC on FX 4.
Next Fight: TBD

When asked to fight Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight championship, Hatsu Hioki found himself in a no-win situation.

Not feeling confident in challenging for the title, he knew that he would benefit from more cage time before taking on such an endeavor. If he fought Aldo, he would go in lacking confidence and would likely lose because of it. If he avoids fighting Aldo, he gets another fight against a tough opponent and risks losing his shot.

With Ricardo Lamas in his way, Hioki was unable to get past his requested tune-up fight.

He lost a unanimous decision to the unranked Lamas, and he falls from the No. 2 spot all the way down to No. 7.

6. Erik Koch

Last Fight: Decision win against Jonathan Brookins at UFC Fight Night 25
Next Fight: TBD

Now that Jose Aldo has been removed from UFC 149 due to injury, Erik Koch's questionable title shot appears to be off the table. 

Koch has won his last four fights and is 2-0 since joining the UFC. His knockout over Rafael Assuncao gave him a Knockout of the Night bonus and followed that up by skating past Jonathan Brookins to earn a narrow decision last September.

Koch has had a long layoff due to an injury that prevented a February contest against Dustin Poirier. His bout with Aldo would have been his first in more than 10 months.

For now, it appears that Koch is back to the drawing board in search of a new opponent. Maybe he could fight the next guy on this list.

5. Ricardo Lamas

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision win over Hatsu Hioki at UFC on FX 4
Next Fight:  TBD 

Spoiler alert: Ricardo Lamas has no desire to play stepping stone to Hatsu Hioki.

A battle against the No 2-ranked featherweight in the world saw Lamas as a hefty underdog, but it didn't seem to phase the Team Top Notch fighter. He would go on to win Rounds 2 and 3 en route to a unanimous decision.

Lamas has gone 3-0 since joining the UFC—a move that also marked his drop to the featherweight division. With some heavy momentum on his side, along with a win over the division's top contender, Lamas has a right to be in the title conversation.

4. Dustin Poirier

Last Fight: Submission loss to Korean Zombie on UFC on Fuel 3
Next Fight: TBD 

Dustin "Diamond" Poirier appeared to be on the brink of securing a title shot. That is until he ran into the Korean Zombie back in April. 

The main-event battle saw Poirier submitted for the first time in his career and shut down a five-fight winning streak. Poirier is one of few featherweights to have already won four UFC bouts.

Poirier will bounce back from his only loss at 145 pounds. No matter who he fights, we are sure to see an exciting battle.

3. Chad Mendes

Last Fight: KO loss to Jose Aldo at UFC 142
Next Fight: vs. Cody McKenzie at UFC 148

Chad Mendes was considered to be the biggest threat to Jose Aldo's title. With an impressive wrestling background that has stifled each of his previous opponents, his top game was thought to be enough to frustrate and defeat the champ.

At the end of the first round, Aldo would return to his feet, and Mendes immediately shot back in for a takedown. Aldo was smart enough to know what was on the way, and he delivered a beautiful interceptor knee that knocked his opponent out.

Mendes is back to the drawing board in less than two weeks when he tackles new-to-the-division Cody McKenzie at UFC 148.

Can he avoid the dreaded McKenzietine?

2. Korean Zombie

Last Fight: Submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel 3
Next Fight: TBD 

With Jose Aldo forced from UFC 149, the Korean Zombie may be able to cash in on his title shot sooner than he originally anticipated. 

At 3-0 since joining the UFC, Chan Sung Jung has scored a Submission of the Year, a record-breaking knockout and has a top candidate for Fight of the Year in 2012.

With much momentum on his side, can he defeat Jose Aldo for the UFC featherweight championship?

1. Jose Aldo

Last Fight: Knockout win over Chad Mendes at UFC 142
Next Fight: TBD

The UFC featherweight champion is not only the best featherweight in the world, but he's also a top pound-for-pound fighter. Some argue that Aldo is the runner-up to Anderson Silva as the best fighter alive.

After defending his title five times and securing a winning streak of 14, it's hard to picture anyone defeating the Nova Uniao standout. 

Aldo had to pull out of a UFC 149 battle with Erik Koch, and we are currently awaiting an update on his return fight.