B/R MMA's Official Top 10 Light-Heavyweights Ranking for July 2012

The light-heavyweight division hasn't seen much movement in recent months, but that's all about to change as two former champs go head-to-head this weekend.

Former UFC Light-Heavyweight champions Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin co-headline Saturday's epic UFC 148.  The soon-to-be Hall of Fame inductee has expressed that following this bout, he will retire from MMA.

Looking ahead, two more former champs will return to the Octagon later this summer as Shogun Rua is set to face Brandon Vera and Lyoto Machida is preparing to take on Ryan Bader.

With so much light-heavyweight action for fans to look forward to, let's take a look at how the division stacks up this month.

10. Rampage Jackson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 32-10

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Former UFC champ Rampage Jackson has expressed his disdain with the world's largest MMA promotion and plans to leave the company after his contract expires.

With one fight left on his deal, no word yet as to when Jackson's last fight will be.  Currently, Jackson is recovering from double knee surgery but would like to face former Pride rival Shogun Rua in his final UFC bout.

9. Forrest Griffin

Promotion: UFC

Record: 18-7

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Shogun Rua at UFC 134

Next Fight: vs. Tito Ortiz at UFC 148

Previous Ranking: 9

Former title holder Forrest Griffin will have a chance to settle the score with Tito Ortiz this weekend and take the rubber match in their trilogy.

While a win may hold more personal significance rather than improve his standing in the division, a victory will also be a nice bounce back from his loss to Shogun Rua at UFC 134.  

Sporting just a 2-3 record since he last held the belt, Griffin will have to step up his game after this fight if he wants to remain among the elite in the division.

8. Phil Davis

Promotion: UFC

Record: 9-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Rashad Evans at UFC on Fox 3

Next Fight: vs. Wagner Prado at UFC on Fox 4

Previous Ranking: 8

Phil Davis' quick rise to the top of the divisional ladder was promptly halted by former champ Rashad Evans when they headlined UFC on Fox 3.

Evans exposed some major holes in Davis' game, but also provided the budding star a wealth of experience as he evolves as a fighter.

Davis will look to get back into the win column later this summer as he takes on Wagner Prado at UFC on Fox 4.

7. Alexander Gustafsson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: Won vs. Thiago Silva at UFC on Fuel 2

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 7

Rising Swedish contender Alexander Gustafsson continued his success over some of the toughest veterans in the division with his big win over Thiago Silva as they headlined UFC on Fuel 2.

After such an impressive victory in his home country, Gustafsson extended his winning streak to five in a row and looks to face tougher competition.

If Gustafsson can defeat a top-five opponent in his next bout, he should expect a title shot in the very near future.

6. Ryan Bader

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-2

Most Recent Fight: Won vs. Rampage Jackson at UFC 144

Next Fight: vs. Lyoto Machida at UFC on Fox 4

Previous Ranking: 6

TUF alum Ryan Bader emphatically rebounded from back-to-back losses by earning himself a big win over Rampage Jackson at UFC 144.

The unanimous decision victory was a much needed win that has kept the budding prospect afloat in the stacked light-heavyweight division.  

Bader's next test will be the dangerous karate master and former champ Lyoto Machida at UFC on Fox 4.  A win over Machida will earn "Darth" a place in the upper echelon of the division, but another loss to a former or current champ will relegate him to gatekeeper status within the 205 lb. ranks.

5. Lyoto Machida

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-3

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140

Next Fight: vs. Ryan Bader at UFC on Fox 4

Previous Ranking: 5

After a failed title bid against reigning champ Jon Jones at UFC 140, former title holder Lyoto Machida will try to right his ship against Ryan Bader later this August.

The once unbeatable Machida has had a tough road since losing the light-heavyweight crown, sporting just a 1-3 record in his last four fights.  With a big test against a formidable wrestler in Bader, another lopsided loss could spell disaster for the karate ace.

However, if Machida can effectively utilize his striking skills to baffle his young foe, expect the former champ to keep his status among the top five of the division.

4. Shogun Rua

Promotion: UFC

Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 139

Next Fight: vs. Brandon Vera at UFC on Fox 4

Previous Ranking: 4

After ending up on the wrong side of a hard fought war with Dan Henderson at UFC 139, Shogun Rua has been forced to go back to the drawing board while on his quest to reclaim the light-heavyweight crown.

Certainly one of the most game fighters in the division today, Rua caused a stir recently with his refusal to fight UFC newcomer Glover Teixeira, believing that the fight was a bad matchup and career choice for the previous title holder.

Instead of facing his fellow countryman, the former champ will now take on veteran Brandon Vera as they headline the upcoming UFC on Fox 4 card.

3. Rashad Evans

Promotion: UFC

Record: 17-2-1

Most Recent Fight: Loss to. Jon Jones at UFC 145

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 3

Former champ Rashad Evans blasted his way back into title contention after rattling off four straight wins over the likes of Thiago Silva, Rampage Jackson and Phil Davis.

The lengthy streak earned Evans a shot against his nemesis and former teammate Jon Jones, but the Michigan State standout just couldn't derail the reign of "Bones".

Jones dominated Evans in every round and easily took the unanimous decision win.

Forced once again to claw his way back up the divisional ladder, Evans has expressed interest in taking on the man who took his belt in the first place—Lyoto Machida—as well as entertaining the notion of moving down to 185 if the fight is right.

2. Dan Henderson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 29-8

Most Recent Fight: Win vs. Shogun Rua at UFC 139

Next Fight: vs. Jon Jones at UFC 151

Previous Ranking: 2

Truly a living legend of MMA, former Strikeforce and Pride champ Dan Henderson will look to add another accolade to his mantle place as he goes for his third UFC title shot against Jon Jones later this fall.

Hendo earned a shot at the champ after winning a Fight of the Year worthy performance over Shogun Rua at UFC 139 and once again proved that he has plenty of gas left in the tank despite now being in the over 40 age range.

If Henderson can derail the Jon Jones hype train, expect a nice and cozy spot in the UFC Hall of Fame for Hendo and his trademark overhand right.

1. Jon Jones

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-1

Most Recent Fight: Win vs. Rashad Evans at UFC 145

Next Fight: vs. Dan Henderson at UFC 151

Previous Ranking: 1

The Jon Jones era can be described with one word—dominance.

The reigning 205 lb. champ has taken out every challenger the UFC has placed in front of him as Jones looks to create a legacy for himself inside the sport.

Since winning the belt, Jones has beaten four straight former UFC champs and will look to add a former Pride and Strikeforce champ to his list when he takes on Dan Henderson later this year.

An impressive showing will not only cement his status as one of the most dominant champs today, but it will also place Jones among the best 205ers and pound-for-pound fighters in the sport's history.

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