Joseph Benavidez and B/R's Official Ranking of the Top 10 Flyweights in MMA

UFC fans are gearing up for the first flyweight belt to be handed to either Demetrious Johnson or Joseph Benavidez in September.

As the talent pool continues to grow in this young division, it has become evident that the action that takes place here is some of the most exciting in the sport. While most UFC fans are familiar with the top three fighters on this list, they will no doubt be introduced to the others relatively soon.

Here are the top flyweights for the month of August.

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

10. Louis Gaudinot

Promotion: UFC

Record: 6-2

Most Recent Fight: Win; John Lineker; May 5, 2012

Next Fight: Darren Uyenoyama; UFC ON FX 5; October 5, 2012

Previous Ranking: 10

Louis Gaudinot is coming off an impressive win over John Lineker which earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors.

The 27-year-old will look to go 2-1 in his UFC career against a very tough opponent in Darren Uyenoyama in October.

9. Chris Cariaso

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-3

Most Recent Fight: Win; Josh Ferguson; July 11, 2012

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: NR

Chris Cariaso made a successful flyweight debut against Josh Ferguson last month and now sports a 4-1 record within the UFC.

Cariaso's last two losses have come against Michael McDonald and Renan Barao, two of the toughest fighters in the promotion. Another win for Caraiso would launch him closer to top-five status.

8. Mamoru Yamaguchi

Promotion: Tachi Palace Fights

Record: 26-6

Most Recent Fight: Loss; Jussier da Silva; August 5, 2011

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 8

Many of you may know of Yamaguchi just for his afro, but he is a damn good fighter. Yamaguchi has never been knocked out (35 career fights) and has a record of 8-2 over the last four years.

At the age of 35, Yamaguchi might not climb much higher up the rankings, but he still brings a level of excitement into the cage each time he fights.

7. Darrell Montague

Promotion: Tachi Palace Fights

Record: 11-2

Most Recent Fight: Win; Taylor McCorriston; May 10, 2012

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 6

"The Mongoose" is somebody we could see in the UFC fairly soon. Montague has been fighting professionally since he turned 20 years old in 2008.

An impressive 11-2 record includes one loss to "Uncle Creepy" Ian McCall.

6. John Dodson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-5

Most Recent Fight: Win; Tim Elliot; May 5, 2012

Next Fight: Jussier da Silva, UFC ON FX 5, October 5, 2012

Previous Ranking: 7

John Dodson has returned to flyweight and will take on Jussier da Silva in October.

The southpaw has won six of his last seven fights and will make a huge leap in the rankings should he come out victorious over Da Silva.

5. Yasuhiro Urushitani

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-5

Most Recent Fight: Loss; Joseph Benavidez; May 3, 2012

Next Fight: John Lineker; UFC 151; September 1, 2012

Previous Ranking: 5

Yasuhiro Urushitani didn't have a successful UFC debut. Then again, he fought who many consider to be the best flyweight in the world in Joseph Benavidez.

Urushitani may not be the most exciting fighter and has had nearly 75 percent of his 30 career fights go to decisions, but he has been successful nonetheless.

Chances are that his best days are behind him, but it will be interesting to see how he rebounds from the loss to Benavidez.

4. Jussier da Silva

Promotion: UFC

Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: Win; Sidney Oliveira; June 29, 2012

Next Fight: John Dodson; UFC ON FX 5; October 5, 2012

Previous Ranking: 4

The Brazilian holds steady at No. 4 this month as he awaits his next fight and UFC debut against one of the top contenders in the division, John Dodson.

Da Silva has a brilliant ground game that can turn the tables in fights instantaneously.

The lone blemish on his record is a loss to Ian McCall in 2011.

3. Ian McCall

Promotion: UFC

Record: 11-3

Most Recent Fight: Loss, Demetrious Johnson, June 8, 2012

Next Fight: TBD

Previous Ranking: 3

"Uncle Creepy" was riding a wave of momentum into his rematch with Demetrious Johnson in June. The loss set him back a bit, but most would agree that he will be back to contend for the belt soon.

McCall is currently nursing a hand injury but should be returning to the Octagon later this year or in the first quarter of 2013.

2. Demetrious Johnson

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-2

Most Recent Fight: Win; Ian McCall; June 8, 2012

Next Fight: Joseph Benavidez; UFC 152; September 22, 2012

Previous Ranking: 2

Demetrious Johnson has worked his way into the biggest fight of his young career.

The first UFC Flyweight Championship will be given to the winner of Johnson and Joseph Benavidez's fight next month.

Johnson has a career record of 15-2-1 (3-1-1 in the UFC) and has continuously proven to be one of the most exciting fighters in the sport time and time again.

1. Joseph Benavidez

Promotion: UFC

Record: 16-2

Most Recent Fight: Win; Yasuhiro Urushitani; March 3, 2012 

Next Fight: Demetrious Johnson; UFC 152; September 22, 2012

Previous Ranking: 1

MMA fans are finally going to see how good Joseph Benavidez really is when he takes on Demetrious Johnson for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 152 on September 22.

Benavidez has two losses in his professional MMA career. One took place in 2009, and the last one occurred in 2010. His opponent in both fights was Dominick Cruz.

There aren't very many flaws in Benavidez's game, and if there are, Johnson will find them.

This could be a a favorite candidate for fight of the year.